Terry pleads with Chelsea to keep Hiddink

John Terry believes Guus Hiddink is the only man to lead Chelsea after reports linked the Premier League club with a move for AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Hiddink has revitalised Chelsea since taking over from Luiz Felipe Scolari on a temporary basis earlier this season.

But the Dutchman’s contract runs out in May and his insistence that he will resume his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis has reportedly forced the Blues to sound out Ancelotti about the job.

However, Terry has been impressed by Hiddink’s methods and wants Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to do everything in his power to keep the former PSV Eindhoven manager at Stamford Bridge.

“He (Hiddink) has a good relationship with Roman Abramovich,” Terry said. “Things have gone very well and I’m sure there will be talks ongoing. If we keep progressing there’s only going to be one option.

“He’s done brilliantly. He’s on at us every day in training, and he doesn’t let anyone get away with anything.”

As well as the link with Ancelotti, it has also been reported that many of Chelsea’s players would like Abramovich to move for Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea boss currently in charge at Inter Milan.

But Terry played down those claims. He said: “Listen, Jose was a great manager and had some great times here. But it’s someone else’s turn now to kick on.

“Mourinho is a world class manager, a lot of the players are still in contact with him. But we need stability at the club now. The manager’s done brilliantly and got us playing freely. But it’s down to the board to make those decisions.”

Chelsea remain in touch with Manchester United in the Premier League title race after Saturday’s 4-3 win over Bolton kept them four points behind the leaders.

Although Chelsea need United to slip up twice to overhaul the champions, Terry is convinced they are firmly in contention.

“Make no mistake, we can still win the league,” Terry said. “Man Utd and Liverpool have both surrendered good positions this season, as have we, but we’re in a good frame of mind and have to be ready to take advantage of any slip-up.”