With the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea will hope to have put a season of uncertainty, and both success and failure firmly behind them.

Rumours of behind-the-scenes disagreements and player unhappiness during a period of poor results ultimately cost Luiz Felipe Scolari his job. Russian boss Guus Hiddink was brought in until the end of the season, always on the understanding that he would return to his national coaching job. Despite the temporary na

ture of this appointment, Hiddink once again worked the type of managerial magic that saw South Korea reach a World Cup Semi-Final with possibly the enigmatic yet temperamental Didier Drogba the most noticeable beneficiary. Along with an in-form Nicolas Anelka who ended the season as the Premier League’s top scorer, Drogba once again started to terrorise defences both domestically and abroad.

Whilst 2008/9 will not be recorded as Chelsea’s most successful season, Hiddink’s final game saw the Blues beat Everton 2-1 to clinch the FA Cup. Third place in the Premiership once again gives them a shot at the Champions League which is Ancelotti’s declared target. The 2008/9 campaign saw a controversial ending when eventual winners Barcelona went through to the final on a last minute away goal at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea has been denied several good penalty appeals by a heavily-criticised referee. They will relish another shot at the title.