Hiddink still concerned about relegation
MANCHESTER — Guus Hiddink admitted he is still concerned about the prospect of relegation as he warned his Chelsea charges that they are playing for their futures.
The Blues are yet to win under the Dutchman after a stalemate at Manchester United leaves him with draws in both games of his second spell in charge.
But results elsewhere mean the interim manager’s team are only one point ahead of 17th-place Swansea and Hiddink is concerned they will become the first champions to be relegated since Manchester City before World War II.
“Of course I am worried, but I would have been more worried if there was a lack of confidence or a lack of ambition,” he told a news conference.
The 69-year-old is considering whether to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window, which could mean some of his current players face a fight to stay in his plans.
“When you play at the big clubs, you always have to show and every day you have to work for your contract,” he added. “We will see now in these games and the upcoming games whether we need some people.”
Hiddink believes his team are beginning to win back the support of fans who booed the players in the 3-1 win over Sunderland, the first game after manager Jose Mourinho was sacked.
“Everyone can express how they want to but they recognise a team is coping and the team has to make the initiative to win them back and they support the team,” he said. “It is a very loyal support.”
The Dutchman also said he senses a new resolve in the Chelsea group to improve their fortunes after losing nine of their first 16 league games.
“Everyone is convinced after one year of championship and a lousy half year that they could not carry on on the same path and that is what they have shown in the last three games,” he said.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
