
Ray
Wilkins has given Guus Hiddink his blessing to take temporary charge of
Chelsea - but has touted Diego Simeone as a permanent successor to Jose
Mourinho.
Sky sources understand that Hiddink, who won the FA Cup in the caretaker
role in 2009, is in London to finalise talks over a contract at Stamford
Bridge.
Former Chelsea player and assistant manager Wilkins does not believe
Mourinho should have been sacked on Thursday but, having worked under
Hiddink last time, Wilkins believes the Dutchman is the only short-term
choice.
"In the interim, the best guy for the job would be Guus Hiddink. I don't see
anyone else," Wilkins told Sky Sports Now.
"To put him in and have Steve Holland alongside him would be the right
choice. His career hasn't gone well, but he is the best man-manager I've
ever seen. His English is first class and his mentality is too. He works
hard but he loves a good giggle.
"He was a success last time firstly because he didn't have the language
barrier, which Chelsea had with Felipe Scolari, who couldn't quite get his
message across. Guus came in to enjoy himself, and enjoy himself he did.
"The pressure wasn't really off him, because when you take over at Chelsea
you've got to win. But he was extremely successful in that period because
everyone worked his socks off for him."
Atletico Madrid boss Simeone is on the Sky Bet list of potential long-term
successors to Mourinho, and Wilkins is sure he has the credentials to take
over at Stamford Bridge.
Wilkins said: "He'd be a good fit. I don't know whether he speaks English
very well, but he's done a fantastic job at Atletico. They've separated the
big boys of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
"The important thing is that, when you've got a group of players that are
all winners, you need a manager that has won too. He's beaten the big boys.
I have no qualms whatsoever that he would be a good choice."