Chelsea crisis: Frank Rijkaard heads contenders to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari

09 February 2009 18:32
Rijkaard has been out of a job since leaving the Nou Camp, where he twice won La Liga and led Barca to the Champions League in 2006. [LNB]But odds of 7/2 reflect the volatility of the market following Scolari's shock departure. [LNB]Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, was initially installed at 6/1 but has since been cut to second favourite at 9/2. [LNB]Guus Hiddink is third favourite at 5/1 while Roberto Mancini, the early frontrunner, has gone out to 6/1. [LNB]Hiddink's agent expects his client will speak to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich over the Stamford Bridge vacancy. However, the Dutchman remains "focused" on the task of leading Russia to the 2010 World Cup, according to his representative Cees van Nieuwenhuizen. [LNB]"I think because of the personal relationship he has with Mr Abramovich he will definitely talk to him and listen to him but I think Mr Abramovich realises he also he has not finished his job (with Russia)," said Van Nieuwenhuizen [LNB]"I think that Guus and Mr Abramovich know each other well enough - he's not going to say he is not going to talk to (Abramovich) and he is not going to listen. [LNB]"He is focused on his job with Russia, he is with the team on a training camp in Turkey and he is looking forward to qualifying with Russia for the World Cup." [LNB]Latest betting[LNB]Next permanent Chelsea manager[LNB]7/2 Frank Rijkaard9/2 Gianfranco Zola5/1 Guus Hiddink6/1 Roberto Mancini8/1 Sven-Goran Eriksson10/1 Carlo Ancelotti16/1 Didier Deschamps, Avram Grant20/1 Michael Laudrup [LNB]

Source: Telegraph