Following the expected departure of Avram Grant from Stamford Bridge, speculation is beginning to turn to who will take over the poisoned chalice of the Chelsea hot-seat in time for the new season.

A number of names are being mentioned, including Guus Hiddink, Frank Rijkaard, Mark Hughes, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Luiz Felipe Scolari and even a sensational return by Jose Mourinho.

From this first list of names, Hiddink’s agent has distanced himself from the job already and the Russia coach would appear to be much more suited to international football rather than the daily rigours of one of the highest-profile jobs in the world. Question marks must also surround fellow Dutchman Rijkaard. While he brought some glory back to Barcelona - and they were in the doldrums when he arrived - the last two seasons at the Nou Camp have been marked by a lack of silverware.

'Hughes has been an unqualified success at Blackburn, but how much further can he take them?'


Former England manager Eriksson shares the same representative as Avram Grant  - 'Super Agent' Pini Zahavi. So it is quite possible the managers of Manchester City and Chelsea just a few days ago, could swap jobs in time for the start of next season. But Roman Abramovich is known to want a 'hard man' for the job and Eriksson does not fit this bill.

In addition, whilst the former England manager did all right at the FA and has improved Manchester City’s fortunes, it has been a while since he tasted real club success, and this may rule him out.

Eriksson’s great foe, Scolari, may be the best qualified coach for the job. After all, he led Brazil to World Cup success in 2002 but he doesn’t speak English and this may prove a stumbling block. Mourinho would be the romantic choice to take over, but he appears to be close to a move to Inter Milan.

Of all the original names, Hughes stands out as perhaps the best candidate. He is a former Chelsea player and although this isn’t a crucial requirement this could be important for Chelsea fans. After the fans' displeasure at Grant’s tenure it may be wise for Abramovich and his advisers to plump for a Chelsea old boy. And whilst Hughes is connected in the public consciousness with Manchester United, it is a little-known fact that the Blackburn boss was a boyhood Chelsea fan.

Hughes has been an unqualified success in his managerial career so far. The former Manchester United forward improved the fortunes of the Welsh national team and the win at the Millennium Stadium over Italy will live long in the memory. Similarly at Blackburn, Hughes has done a great job. In his first season he kept the club up, which was his main objective after they were in dire straits when he arrived at Ewood Park.

In subsequent seasons Hughes has made Blackburn one of the strongest sides in the Premier League on a tiny budget. He has found bargains in defenders Ryan Nelsen and Cheron Samba but it is forwards he seems to specialise in. In consecutive seasons Hughes has bought goal-getting strikers who have taken the Premier League by storm in Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz.

More than anything, Hughes seems to have a great understanding of the psyche of modern players. Last season Morten Gamst Pedersen and McCarthy were key men, but in the most recent campaign Santa Cruz and David Bentley were the main players for Blackburn. Hughes can adapt with his squad, which is probably one of the biggest challenges at Chelsea.

And the time might be right for Hughes to leave Blackburn. This season they finished seventh yet still did not qualify for Europe. The big question is how much further can he take them?

Some pundits have suggested he may wish to wait for Sir Alex Ferguson to vacate the managerial position at Old Trafford but with Carlos Queiroz now the favourite to take over in perhaps three years, Hughes may fancy a crack at his former boss via Chelsea.

Reports suggest the repulsive Peter Kenyon, the kingmaker at Stamford Bridge, favours Hughes and there is no doubt that the former Manchester United striker will command respect from even the biggest egos in the Chelsea dressing room.

Hughes ticks all the boxes for Abramovich. Blackburn have played attractive football under his tutelage and he holds the motivational skills that brought Mourinho success and so hampered Grant.

To further excite Chelsea fans, a dream team including Gianfranco Zola has been mooted. But will Hughes want to join Chelsea? After all if he doesn’t win the Premier League at the first time of asking then he will be on the dole. It’s almost mission impossible at Chelsea, but will Sparky be willing to give it a go?