Scolari Out. Will it be Hiddink this time?

Best Bookies, Betting, Bookmakers, Fixed Odds, Football, Tipsters | selectabet | February 10, 2009 at 11:33 am

The departure of Phil Scolari from Stamford Bridge yesterday may have come as a bit of a surprise to some but it was Tony Adam’s sacking from Portsmouth that left the bookies heaving a huge sigh of relief. The were saved a monster payout after Pompey pulled the trigger just a few hours before Chelsea parted company with Big Phil. In the last few weeks many bookies have seen a real gamble on Scolari to be the next manager to get the sack, backed in from 50/1 to 9/4 at William Hill in the last few weeks.

“If Chelsea had sacked Scolari before Portsmouth got rid of Adams, we would have lost a massive five figure sum. As it is we lost a much smaller sum on Tony Adams,” said Hills spokesman Tim Pakyurek.

So who’s next in line to take on the poison chalice of Stamford Bridge?

At the moment the bookies appear to favour the current Russian boss Guus Hiddink. For me he should have been appointed after Mourinho left and his relationship with Abramovic means he’ll always be linked with the position whenever it comes up. But it may be a dodgy call for the Russian billionaire, after all he’d be incredibly unpopular in his homeland if he managed to prize the Dutchman away from their national set-up. Sportingbet go 33/10 on his appointment and I for one would love to see him pit his wits against Sir Fergie.

Next in line is out-of-work Frank Rijkaard. The former Barca coach has already declared his interest in the post and after relative success at the Nou Camp he has the track record to suggest he could cut it at the Bridge. He can be backed at 9/2 (Paddy Power, VCBet) and if Chelsea are looking to make an interim appointment then he could be the man.

One name that refuses to go away is that of Avram Grant. Did Chelsea get rid of the genial , but permanently sad-looking coach too soon? He’s been linked heavily with the Pompey post but is also as short as 6/4, yes 6/4 (VCbet) to make dramatic return to the Blues. If you fancy it, take the 5/1 on offer at Centrebet.

Down Mexico way it appears that our Sven’s coat is on a shoogly peg. He’s another one heavily linked with the vacant position at Fratton Park but at 9/1 (Blue Sq) a stint at the Bridge is not our of the question. Lock up your wives!

Amongst the other contenders there’s a few familiar names; Zola (14/1 VCBet), Mancini (18/1 VCBet), Ancelotti (20/1 Sportingbet), Van Gall (22/1 Sportingbet, VCBet), even the unlikely return of the Special One, Mourinho is available at 25/1 (VCBet).

For me I like the look of Hiddink but it wouldn’t surprise me if someone from completely left-field emerges and takes over til the end of the season. Who do you think will be the next Chelsea manager?