It’s two years since Chelsea last won a trophy - that’s how long it has taken the club to get over the loss of Jose Mourinho. Now, with Guus Hiddink’s aversion to the daily grind of club management, they will soon be mourning the loss of another great manager. The question of just who will fill the big Dutchman's boots this summer still remains unanswered.
The main problem for the Blues is a dearth of genuine candidates for the job. With a number of ageing players, the next manager will have to reconstruct the squad considerably over the next two to three years. Coupled with this, he will need to make serious moves towards producing the kind of attacking football Roman Abramovic has long sought.
If the media is to be believed, Carlo Ancelotti is the man most likely to take the post. But appointing the Italian would surely be a mistake. Despite leading Milan to two Champions League successes, Ancelotti’s managerial record remains chequered. During nine years with the Rossoneri he has only lifted one league title. Along with this, his input into transfer policy is negligible, with the club’s sporting director, Adriano Galliani, shouldering most of the responsibility.
Elsewhere, the other candidates suggested are even further lacking in credibility and credentials. Names such as Roberto Mancini, Slaven Bilic and even Sven Goran-Eriksson have done the rounds, but each is sorely lacking in - at the very least - one respect.
There is, however, one candidate for the Chelsea job who stands out above the others. That man is Frank Rijkaard. The Dutchman has taken a year out of the game to spend time with his family following the illness of his son, but has stated his desire to return to management next season.
Although not excellent, Rijkaard’s managerial record is pretty good. During five years at the Nou Camp he guided Barcelona to two domestic titles and a Champions League triumph; all the while adhering to the aesthetic principles that have laid the foundations of the current Barcelona team.
On the flip side, he managed to get Sparta Rotterdam relegated from the Eredivisie during 18-months in his only other club management role. Coupled with this, a lack of player discipline was reportedly his undoing at Barca - a fact that doesn’t bode well for a Chelsea side beset with temperamental characters.
Rijkaard also has strong ties with Hiddink, who is likely to remain on in a director of football role at Stamford Bridge. Hiddink was the manger of the Dutch national team whilst Rijkaard was a player, and their relationship has remained strong.
Whatever happens, the next Chelsea manger will have big boots to fill. Hiddink has surpassed expectations during his short tenure, taking what looked like a rudderless ship under Luis Filipe Scolari to within a whisker of the Champions League final. Against Everton in the FA Cup final they also have the opportunity to lift their first post-Mourinho silverware. It has taken Chelsea almost two years to get over the loss of the Special One. How long Guus Hiddink’s mourning period is remains to be seen.