Thaindian News

London, Feb 10 (IANS) Quite a few names are doing the rounds but there isn’t any clear contender to replace Luis Felipe Scolari, who was sacked as Chelsea coach Monday.

Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini are among the initial front-runners while former coach Avram Grant, who was assistant to Jose Mourinho at the London club, is also understood to be a back-up option. Grant took over after Mourinho departed and was sacked in the aftermath of the Champions League final defeat against Manchester United.

Dutch Guus Hiddink, who is in charge of Russia, has emerged as bookies’ favourite. But he has refused to answer about his future.

His agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen said: “Guus wants to qualify for the World Cup for a fourth time in a row and with a fourth different team. There’s no chance of him going to Chelsea, as he very much likes what he is doing. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would not make too many friends in Russia if he steals Guus away from the national team.”

Mancini’s agent, Giorgio De Giorgis, said the former Inter Milan manager is yet to get any call from Chelsea. “No one has contacted us so I can rule Mancini out of going to Chelsea. We know about Scolari’s sacking but they would have already called us if they were thinking about Roberto. ”

Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke’s name are also being linked have also been linked to the post in Chelsea, but West Ham is unlikely to let go its managerial team.

“We know nothing. Gianfranco is very happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him the opportunity. It is very difficult to say if anything will happen, but Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco,” said Zola’s lawyer, Fulvio Marrucco.