Barclays Premier League

The Nigeria international said: "We've had a bad run but it's the fault of everyone and it's unfortunate he's gone. But there's nothing we can do about it.

"Yes I'm disappointed, he's a good manager, a nice person, like a father in the club - a father figure. But at the same time if the club thinks it's the best thing then that's the right way to go.

"He had his own coaching style, unfortunately it didn't work for Chelsea but I think he's a great manager, a nice person and I'm really disappointed to see him go.

"He came in and he wanted us play flowing football, pass the ball around and move the ball quicker. I think we did that in some games but in others we found it difficult because most clubs in the Premier League watched us and know how we play.

"When they come to play us at home they come to defend and it makes it really difficult to play so I think our home run this season has been really bad."

But Mikel will be fully committed to Scolari's successor and insists their season is far from finished.

"The management know who is best for the job," added Mikel. "I'll try my best to help them and play to my potential. I'm always there to help the team win games and win trophies.

"We'll have a new manager coming in and he has to win games. It's not finished yet. We're still in the FA Cup, still in the Champions League and the Premier League is not over yet. We have a long way to go.

"We don't need to drop any more points at home and even away we need to win all our games if we want to win the title.

John Terry insists he is fully focussed on helping England beat Spain and refuses to think about Chelsea matters.

Terry was informed of Scolari's Stamford Bridge departure just hours before the England squad left for Seville yesterday.

And he has spent the day trying to digest that news, and confirmation Guus Hiddink is set to take over as part-time boss for the remainder of the season.

England coach Fabio Capello has spoken with Terry today to ensure his key centre-half is in the right frame of mind to take up his usual position at the heart of the Three Lions defence.

And Terry is determined not to let any distractions get in the way of helping England overcome the Euro 2008 winners.

"What's happening back home is at the back of my mind but I am focusing on the game ahead," said Terry.

"It is a bit of a relief to get away for a couple of days because my main concern should now be England.

"The manager has stressed he wants everyone focused on the game ahead. I want to put in a good performance personally and hopefully the squad can do the same."

Such is Capello's high regard for Terry, he did not need to pull him to one side this morning.

However, as speculation continues to swirl around Chelsea, the Italian thought it was better to re-assure himself.

"We spoke but I am sure John Terry will be okay because the England shirt is very important to him," said Capello.

"He is the captain and his position is important."

Hiddink, who has admitted talks have taken place with Chelsea, will not be in charge of the Stamford Bridge club in time for their FA Cup fifth round tie against Watford this weekend.

The Dutchman has started negotiations with Chelsea over taking charge of the team until the end of the season but any deal will not be struck in time for Saturday's trip to Vicarage Road.

The Russia manager insists he will not give up his job with the national side so if he is to accept any offer from Chelsea it will mean combining both roles - something he has done in the past with Australia and PSV Eindhoven.

The Russian Football Union have given their backing for discussions to take place but Hiddink maintains it is too early yet to say for certain that a deal will be done.

"I want to say officially that there has been absolutely no talk of me leaving the Russian national team," Hiddink told Sport Express.

"I will stay and continue working with a team I feel very comfortable and at ease with."

And when asked if he could combine both high-profile jobs, Hiddink replied: "You correctly use the word "if".

"I can't rule out that option but it is at the stage of being examined. If everything is organised properly a move to London could happen. I'll be able to give you a final answer in a few days."

But the Dutchman ruled out becoming Chelsea's new boss before the weekend.

"No, that's not likely to happen," he added. " I don't think things will be decided that quickly."

As manager of one of the biggest national teams, Capello finds it difficult to believe he could combine it with a top club job as Hiddink would have to do.

He is certainly glad the decision is not his to make, because the answer would be no.

"It is not my problem," he sighed.

"I know he did it before with Australia and PSV. I prefer to think about one job, not two."

Clearly Hiddink does not believe it is impossible.

But Capello feels you require contrasting character traits to excel in each position, highlighting the obvious differences between management at club and international level.

"They are two completely different jobs," said the Italian.

"As a club manager you coach every day and you can change the style in a very short space of time. You can speak with the players about problems.

"With the national team it is different. I meet the players every 45 days. If you want to change a lot of things, you only have a very short time to work.

"In that situation, the character of the coach is very important.

AC Milan admit their coach Carlo Ancelotti may be persuaded to take over at Chelsea at the end of the season.

Although Guus Hiddink is in talks about taking over at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season, Ancelotti is believed to be owner Roman Abramovich's top target to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari in the long term.

Ancelotti, 49, the longest-serving manager in Serie A, turned down a move last season but AC Milan's organising director Umberto Gandini admitted he may now re-consider - but not until the end of the current campaign.

Speaking in Geneva at the European Clubs' Association general assembly, Gandini said: "I cannot talk on behalf of Carlo but I don't think he would be interested in doing anything now.

"But if the position will be open in July then I think he might consider it.

"He did already have a chance to consider it when he was approached last summer."

Gandini said there had been no approach to Milan so far by Chelsea but that there was a good relationship between the two clubs.

He added: "I'm totally unaware of any approach or any desire by Chelsea and Mr Abramovich. If that is the case I am pretty sure it will be a very straight and open discussion between the two clubs.

"But it's absolutely impossible that AC Milan would make any adjustment to the squad or technical staff now."

Ancelotti is understood to have an agreement with AC Milan whereby he can move on from the club when he wants regardless of his contract.

Gandini added: "In the summer, at the end of the season I think all teams have to evaluate the situation, players and coaches as well. It is a brand new system and a brand new world so I cannot speculate on anything."

Ancelotti has won two Champions League trophies as AC Milan's coach - and won the European Cup twice as a player with the club

Chelsea are on the brink of appointing Guus Hiddink as their new manager after talking to his Russian employers.

Hiddink has emerged as Chelsea's number one target to lead the team on a short-term basis, and if the former PSV Eindhoven coach accepts the job he will sign a contract until the end of the season.

Hiddink will remain as manager of Russia as he is determined to lead the nation into the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Chelsea said in a statement: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm we have officially approached the Russian Football Union (RFU) for permission to speak to Guus Hiddink to become the club's temporary coach until the end of the season while continuing to be in charge of the Russian national team.

"That permission has been granted and Chelsea would like to thank the RFU for their co-operation."

Hiddink was contacted by the Barclays Premier League club after Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked yesterday.

Hiddink stressed there was no way he would be quitting Russia but as the nation have just two World Cup qualifiers between now and the end of the season - Azerbaijan at home at the end of March and Liechtenstein away on April 1 - the Dutchman feels confident he can combine both roles.

Hiddink has previous experience of such a position when he coached Australia and PSV Eindhoven simultaneously. If Chelsea cannot get Hiddink in place before the weekend, they are happy for assistant coach Ray Wilkins and his team to take charge of their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Watford at Vicarage Road.

However, Chelsea will look for a permanent successor to Scolari in the summer and Carlo Ancelotti of AC Milan remains the top contender.

Ancelotti, 49, the longest-serving manager in Serie A, turned down a move last season but AC Milan's organising director Umberto Gandini admitted he may now re-consider - but not until the end of the current campaign.

Speaking in Geneva at the European Clubs' Association general assembly, Gandini said: "I cannot talk on behalf of Carlo but I don't think he would be interested in doing anything now.

"But if the position is open in July then I think he might consider it. He already had a chance to consider it when he was approached last summer.

"But it's absolutely impossible that AC Milan would make any adjustment to the squad or technical staff now."

Ancelotti is understood to have an agreement with AC Milan whereby he can move on from the club when he wants regardless of his contract.

Gandini added: "In the summer, at the end of the season I think all teams have to evaluate the situation, players and coaches as well. It is a brand new system and a brand new world so I cannot speculate on anything."

Meanwhile, Chelsea's Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel has voiced his disappointment at Scolari's dismissal but pledged to support his replacement.

Mikel said: "We've had a bad run but it's the fault of everyone and it's unfortunate he's gone. But there's nothing we can do about it.

"Yes I'm disappointed, he's a good manager, a nice person, like a father in the club - a father figure. But at the same time if the club thinks it's the best thing then that's the right way to go.

"He had his own coaching style, unfortunately it didn't work for Chelsea but I think he's a great manager, a nice person and I'm really disappointed to see him go.

"He came in and he wanted us play flowing football, pass the ball around and move the ball quicker. I think we did that in some games but in others we found it difficult because most clubs in the Premier League watched us and know how we play.

"When they come to play us at home they come to defend and it makes it really difficult to play so I think our home run this season has been really bad."

But Mikel will be fully committed to Scolari's successor and insists their season is far from finished.

"The management know who is best for the job," added Mikel. "I'll try my best to help them and play to my potential. I'm always there to help the team win games and win trophies.

"We'll have a new manager coming in and he has to win games. It's not finished yet. We're still in the FA Cup, still in the Champions League and the Premier League is not over yet. We have a long way to go.

"We don't need to drop any more points at home and even away we need to win all our games if we want to win the title.

Kelvin Leong reckons the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari is the beginning of an ambitious Manchester City plan.

Just as I sat myself down for a well deserved supper, news broke that Chelsea have sacked Luis Felipe Scolari.

First came the shock, then a sudden knee-jerk reaction of what the real reason behind the sacking could be.

As I scrambled my way back to the office, I couldn't stop second guessing why the sudden decision by the London giants.

Did Chelsea really sack Scolari or did Big Phil intentionally walk into training late to put damages beyond repair?

The logic is simple.

Look further up the country and you see Manchester City waving fervently at Scolari.

Mark Hughes has failed to deliver what Sheikh Mansour wanted.

A team to challenge at the very top of the Premier League with Champions League qualification in the pipeline.

While at it, a little sexy attacking football to get the crowds back into the City of Manchester stadium.

This brings me to the main gist of my warped theory.

Robinho was due to sign for the Blues but a last minute record-breaking bid from City veered the Brazilian's path towards Manchester.

Scolari was desperate for Robinho and vice versa.

Robinho even blurted out that he was very happy to join Chelsea in his first press conference as a City player before embarrassingly correcting his genuinely heartfelt error.

So who better than Scolari to keep the unsettled superstar Robinho at the Eastlands?

My money is on Hughes getting the sack with Scolari stepping in.

Mansour will promise to bring in Adriano and Ronaldinho to allow Big Phil to work his samba magic.

With City destined for another stab at the world record transfer fee this summer, Scolari's tenure as Cristiano Ronaldo's national team coach could sway the wing wizard to the blue half of Manchester.

While at it, Mark Hughes will in turn take over the reigns at Fratton Park with Frank Rijkaard stepping into the big blue shoes at Stamford Bridge.

Tony Adams could make a good local assistant for the Dutch master while he makes a dash between training sessions and English tuition lessons for the next few weeks.

And to think I was dead sure Andrey Arshavin's messy transfer saga was to be the last chaotic scene in the Premiership this season.

How wrong I was.

All aboard the messy Premier League world we have come to love

Martyn Ziegler examines Chelsea's decision to sack Luiz Felipe Scolari, after he had took charge of 26 Premier League matches.

By Martyn Ziegler, PA Chief Sports reporter

Big Phil, bigger disappointment, but not the biggest surprise...

Luiz Felipe Scolari arrived at Chelsea with a reputation that was more lofty than he deserved, and departs in ignominy with that reputation now in tatters.

It is not easy to turn a club from a force so powerful that it had not lost at home for more than four years into one that is so predictable and uninspired that it is not even viewed as a shock when Hull pull off a creditable draw at Stamford Bridge. Not easy, but Scolari managed it.

Chelsea's form of late has been poor - too poor for owner Roman Abramovich to stomach - and the club have acted with a ruthlessness borne of necessity.

Should current form continue until the end of the season then Arsenal would overtake their London rivals and steal that crucial, vital, season-making fourth spot. The mere possibility of that is unacceptable to a club such as Chelsea, into which Abramovich has ploughed so much money.

In recent weeks Scolari has been at pains to point that Chelsea have had injury problems and are not the club they once were in terms of spending.

That is true, but it is a loser's lament. Chelsea still have the biggest wage bill in the Premier League and a host of world-class players.

Whose fault is it that Didier Drogba once looked the most dangerous striker in the football, and now looks one of the most lacklustre?

Whose fault is it that Chelsea's lack of genuine wide players makes their predictable approach a simple one for opposing coaches to counter?

The buck for those faults stops with Scolari - he had to go, it was just a question of whether Chelsea would wait until the end of the season or make a clean break to try to rescue the remains of this campaign.

The Brazilian is a big enough man to fight his own battles, but one thing which can be said in his defence is that Chelsea overestimated his qualities in the first place.

He had never before managed a club in Europe and made his name at international level thanks to coaching sides so packed with brilliance that a novice would have struggled to mess things up.

His World Cup in 2002 was secured by a Brazil team including Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho at the peak of their powers.

His six years with Portugal coincided with the best emergence of talent enjoyed by any country since France in the mid-90s including the best international defence, the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, and plenty of strength in depth throughout the side.

With such quality available, Scolari's time with Portugal was ultimately something of a failure. There was certainly no chance of Abramovich being as forgiving with Chelsea.

Frank Rijkaard is the current favourite to succeed him, and what irony that would be given recent history when he was in charge of Barcelona and Jose Mourinho so impugned his character.

Rijkaard appears the obvious choice but who would really want to take on the Chelsea challenge at this point, when the rest of the season is picking up the pieces left over by another man's mistakes?

Unless Abramovich can convince the new manager that he will be judged on next season, rather than the remains of this one, the task looks an impossible one.

And, unfortunately for whoever takes over, it appears Chelsea are demanding immediate success during this campaign - and that makes the job a poisoned chalice.

Brazil national coach Dunga believes compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari was not given enough time at Chelsea.

Scolari was sacked by Chelsea earlier today after little over seven months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

The World Cup-winning coach paid the price for Chelsea's poor run of form of late which culminated in a goalies draw against Hull at the weekend.

However, Dunga believes Chelsea have been too hasty in swinging the axe.

"In football you need quality and Scolari is an established trainer despite the fact that he was sacked today," he said about his compatriot.

"There's no doubt about his skills, he's a world champion and so you cannot doubt that.

"(Manchester United coach) Alex Ferguson is unique, he is the only one who has been in charge for many years.

"European football and Brazilian football trainers have not enough time to train and to get to know each other, so it's difficult.

"It's a question of time."

Dunga believes it is only a matter of time before Scolari is back in a job.

"I have no doubt that he will find a new job because he is a world champion," he added. "He is an established coach.

"He won with Palmeiras and with the national team. There is no doubt about his quality."

Dunga himself is no stranger to pressure and has been under fire for many months now due to Brazil's stumbling World Cup qualifying campaign.

And the 45-year-old admits to feeling the heat.

"Every job has its difficulties, its pressure," he said. "The pressure is huge on a coach because football is under scrutiny the whole time.

"A coach has to have time to get to know football players in order to take the best out of them."

Dunga is in London with his Brazil squad as they prepare for a mouthwatering international against Italy at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

The clash sees two of the best sides in the world face up to each other as the current world champions take to the pitch against five-time world champions Brazil, the most successful international side.

The match may be just a friendly but both sides will be desperate for victory.

"Both teams will play to win," said Dunga. "Friendly games are very important.

"There will be much attention on this game, but it will not be like a qualifier for the World Cup.

"Without three points at stake there will be a different atmosphere, but it is still important.

"With qualifiers there is a different pressure on the game.

"There is always much pressure when big teams play each other, but it's not a Confederations Cup match, it's a friendly game with honour at stake."

Dunga admits he has the backbone of his squad for the 2010 World Cup already in mind.

However, he insists there is still time for others to force their way in.

"I still have one and a half years to decide which squad will play the World Cup.

"There is a core group of players that are playing well and we're trying to build it up, but you never know what could happen.

"But I do have in my head a core of fixed players