Chelsea talisman John Terry has revealed that the Blues’ players feel responsible for the sacking of their former boss Jose Mourinho. Terry is confident, however, of a good show under their new interim manager Guus Hiddink. The Dutchman’s appointment was announced just prior to Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Terry made the comments in his program notes, writing, “Obviously we’re gutted the manager has gone, we as players feel responsible for that.”
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“We are not hiding away from that fact. If it was the case where you could get rid of a lot of players I’m sure clubs would do that, but unfortunately, it does fall on the manager’s head. There’s nothing we can do about that.”
Jose Mourinho was sacked from his managerial post following the Blues’ dismal record of just 4 wins from 16, leaving them hovering just a point above the relegation zone. Towards the end of his reign, Mourinho claimed that he felt ‘betrayed’ by his players, a sentiment that perhaps is backed by Terry’s line of reasoning. Terry, however, is confident of new manager Hiddink’s qualities.
Hiddink’s last stint at the Stamford Bridge came way back in 2009, when the Dutchman replaced the Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari in the second half of the 2008-09 season and led them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they were beaten by the eventual champions Barcelona, with Andreas Iniesta scoring in the 93rd minute at Stamford Bridge to take Barcelona through on away goals.
“Players will want to impress Guus now”
Terry added, “It’s down to [Hiddink] to come in and pick us up. What he will bring is a hunger to the squad, a lot of passion and a lot of fire. He will demand a lot of players on the training field and matches. I’ve seen it before that he can come in and shake things up in a positive way and move forward. That’s why the club has made this decision. But it is very sad at the same time.”
Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa were booed by the Stanford Bridge crowd for their alleged involvement in the sacking of Jose, but Terry believes the training ground would be a happy place again if they are able to get 3 points on more regular basis.
He concluded, “If we can keep picking up points, the training ground will be a happier place and happier atmosphere. Players will be happy and play with the habit of freedom; it all stems from results. But all goes back to that training ground. Players will want to impress Guus now, hopefully, that lifts everyone and we can move on.”
Guus Hiddink will take charge at the Stamford Bridge from Tuesday and his first assignment will be against the newly promoted Watford FC, who have won 4 games in a row and lie in a lofty seventh position in the table.
