LONDON - Guus Hiddink, who will leave Chelsea at the end
of the month after taking over as the club's interim manager in
February, was given a standing ovation by fans after
the last home match of the season on Sunday.
The 62-year-old Dutchman revitalised Chelsea's campaign after it
began to falter under previous coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and will
take charge of the side for the last time in the FA Cup final
against Everton at Wembley Stadium on May 30.
He will then resume coaching the Russia national team, despite
making a huge impact at Stamford Bridge and becoming popular with
fans - many of whom had banners pleading with him to stay on
Sunday.
Chelsea beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 and will almost certainly
finish third after ending their Premier League campaign at
Sunderland next weekend.
After the match Hiddink went on to the pitch and told the fans:
"To all of you, for the support you have given me and to
the team, thank you very much. The season is not over
yet."
He was applauded by the club's Russian billionaire owner Roman
Abramovich and in scenes rarely witnessed in football, was given a
guard of honour by his squad on the pitch.
He also embraced Roy Bentley, celebrating his 85th birthday, who
led Chelsea to their first League title in 1955 and he got into the
party atmosphere by dancing and jogging on the pitch.
"That was surprising for me because I have only been here for a
short period, but on the other hand, worked with a lot of joy with
these players," Hiddink told Sky Sports News.
"This was not just a job. I came here in February to get the
team out of the position they were in at that moment, and the
players responded."
In 21 matches since Hiddink's arrival, Chelsea lost only once,
and narrowly went out of the Champions League when they lost to
Barcelona on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw at Stamford
Bridge in the second leg of their semi-final.
