Wilkins backs Hiddink for Chelsea return

Ray Wilkins believes Guus Hiddink would be the perfect choice to return to Chelsea as manager.

Former Chelsea assistant Wilkins worked under the Dutchman when Hiddink had a stint as caretaker manager at the English Premier League club in 2009, leading the side to the FA Cup title.

Hiddink is currently in charge of Turkey’s national side and would have to negotiate a release from his contract in order to take over at Chelsea.

“Guus seems to be the most prominent name that is jumping out from every newspaper at the moment,” Wilkins said on Thursday.

“But it will be interesting to see what the situation is. Guus is a good coach (and) he knows the guys inside out. He’s a smashing guy and he had a lovely rapport with the players, but we’ll see what happens.”

Wilkins said his former club would ‘definitely’ challenge for the English Premier League title in season 2011/12, and that he bore no lingering grudge for his dismissal in December.

“Life goes on. I was very sad to leave as I had an absolute ball when I was there, but all good things come to an end,” Wilkins said.

“It doesn’t rankle with me, it’s finished. It was a period of my life in which I had great times but you just have to move on.”