Guus Hiddink has been appointed the interim boss of Chelsea for a second time.
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The Dutchman has a glittering coaching CV, and was in temporary charge of the Blues between February and June 2009.
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Jose Mourinho was sacked as Chelsea manager Thursday, the club confirmed on its official website. The Portuguese manager endured a difficult downturn in results in the 2015-16 season, just months after leading Chelsea to the English Premier League title.
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Chelsea dominated in 2014-15, winning the championship by eight points from nearest rival Manchester City.
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However, near the halfway stage of the 2015-16 campaign, Chelsea was languishing just above the relegation zone following a 2-1 defeat by Leicester -- managed by Claudio Ranieri, who Mourinho replaced at Stamford Bridge in his first spell in 2004.
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The players have struggled too. Chelsea captain John Terry played every single minute of last season's league campaign and earned a new contract, but has often been sidelined this time around.
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Diego Costa, who scored 20 league goals last season, has endured criticism for his physical style of play, and was banned for three matches after an incident against Arsenal. Costa has managed just three goals so far this campaign.
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Nemanja Matic, one of the outstanding players of last season, has failed to repeat his form so far this term. He was sent off in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham.
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Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn angered Mourinho by entering the field of play to treat Eden Hazard during the 2-2 draw against Swansea City on the opening day of the season. Mourinho has been heavily criticized for his behavior towards Carneiro, who subsequently left the club.
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Roman Abramovich has transformed Chelsea's fortunes since taking over the club in 2003. In the past 12 years Chelsea has become one of the most successful teams in Europe and won the Champions League in 2012.
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Jurgen Klopp, who replaced Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, piled more pressure on Mourinho when his team inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on October 31.
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Pep Guardiola, head coach of Bayern Munich, has been linked with a move to Chelsea at the end of this season.
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It has also been rumored that Carlo Ancelotti -- who replaced Mourinho at Real Madrid in 2013 but is now without a club -- will return to Stamford Bridge, where the Italian won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010.