David Hytner The Guardian, Monday May 26 2008 Article history
Jose Mourinho last night ruled himself out of the running to return as Chelsea manager following the weekend sacking of his successor, Avram Grant. Mourinho is instead believed to have set his sights on replacing Roberto Mancini at Internazionale, who is due to have talks with the president Massimo Moratti this week following the 2-1 defeat to Roma in the Italian Cup final on Saturday.
Mancini is coincidentally one of the names thought to be in the frame as Roman Abramovich begins the search for a successor to Grant. Guus Hiddink has emerged as the favourite with Sven-Goran Eriksson also being linked with the role. Youth will be no barrier and Frank Rijkaard and Mark Hughes are also likely to be on the shortlist, but experienced candidates may hold a decisive edge.
Hiddink ticks all the boxes. He will lead Russia at the European Championship in Switzerland and Austria and has enjoyed a glittering career that includes World Cup semi-final finishes with Holland and South Korea. Abramovich bankrolls the Russian team and even funds Hiddink's salary but the Dutchman has yet to renew his contract beyond next month's finals.
Jose Mourinho last night ruled himself out of the running to return as Chelsea manager following the weekend sacking of his successor, Avram Grant. Mourinho is instead believed to have set his sights on replacing Roberto Mancini at Internazionale, who is due to have talks with the president Massimo Moratti this week following the 2-1 defeat to Roma in the Italian Cup final on Saturday.
