Guus Hiddink's demand that Ray Wilkins return with him wrecked his chances of taking the Chelsea job, it has been revealed.
The Independent says Chelsea were not willing to countenance Hiddink's desire to bring back Wilkins, who had been assistant during the Dutchman's three-month spell as caretaker manager in 2009, and it was one of the key reasons they turned their attention to their former opposition scout Andre Villas-Boas, who won four trophies at Porto last season in his first full campaign as manager.
Wilkins' shock dismissal at half-time during a reserve team game ended a near 37-year association with the club and triggered a slump in results that left Chelsea unable to mount a title challenge, and ultimately cost Carlo Ancelotti his job, too.
It also led to a protracted argument over compensation until a pay-off was agreed.
