Chelsea Plot Incredible Double Deal To Replace Jose Mourinho

The Telegraph reports that Hiddink leads a list of potential candidates to replace under-fire Mourinho, whose position is still being examined by Roman Abramovich.

The plan would be for Hiddink to steer Chelsea away from the relegation zone as a short-term solution and put a halt to their capitulation.

EYED: Guus Hiddink could replace Jose Mourinho until the end of the season

Abramovich would then like to prize Simeone away from Atletico Madrid and re-build with the animated Argentine at the helm.

The report claims Abramovich's options are slim after Carlo Ancelotti agreed to succeed Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and Guardiola expected to join Manchester City next year.

The position would be a familiar one for Hiddink who was drafted in to help the Blues after they sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2009.

Hiddink, 69, guided Chelsea to an FA Cup success when beating Everton 2-1 before returning to his post as manager of the Russian national team.

WANTED: Roman Abramovich wants Diego Simeone to take over long-term

Mourinho has now presided over the west London club's worst start to a season since 1978, at the end of which Chelsea were relegated.

The Portuguese coach penned a new four-year deal in the summer, and is has been suggested he would be entitled to a multi-million pound severance package were owner Abramovich and the rest of the Chelsea board decide to dispense with his services.