Rijkaard, Mancini and Hiddink on Chelsea wanted list after Grant sacking

Frank Rijkaard, Roberto Mancini and Guus Hiddink will now be considered as replacements as Chelsea plan another major overhaul of their coaching staff.

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Chelsea's manager Avram Grant walks off after Champions League defeat

Abramovich, who awarded his friend Grant a four-year contract in December, decided to sack him even though he led Chelsea to a Champions League final, gave Manchester United a run for their money in the Premier League and took them to Wembley in the Carling Cup after taking over from Jose Mourinho in September.

Chelsea need to find a replacement quickly to input into the summer transfer planning, with Rijkaard available after leaving Barcelona and Mancini expected to be replaced at Inter Milan by Mourinho.

Mancini has a more impressive recent record, having won the past three Serie A titles in Italy, but he has failed in the Champions League.

Rijkaard, currently on holiday in the United States, won the Champions League in 2006 and Spain's La Liga in 2005 and 2006, but he has failed to capture a trophy in the past two seasons and was sacked by Barcelona earlier this month.

Guus Hiddink has yet to finalise his contract with the Russian national team, which is bankrolled by Abramovich.

The Dutchman has verbally agreed to stay with Russia until 2010 but the deal has not been ratified and so he remains a potential candidate.

Chelsea confirmed Grant's dismissal last night in a statement, which read: 'Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. This follows meetings over the last two days.

'Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September. We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made.'

Chelsea now face a summer of major turmoil with striker Didier Drogba attempting to negotiate a move away from Stamford Bridge and Frank Lampard poised to hold talks with the club's chief executive, Peter Kenyon, next month, with Inter Milan confident they will sign the England midfielder.

Chelsea first-team coach Henk ten Cate, who was brought in a month after Grant, has proved to be unpopular with several players and his future also remains in doubt, as does that of fellow coach Steve Clarke.

Long-serving Clarke is understood to be frustrated at his limited role and craves a managerial opportunity.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is wanted by Barcelona but has two years left on his current contract and is likely to be offered a new £100,000-a-week deal this summer.

Defender Ricardo Carvalho and midfielder Michael Essien are both coveted by Real Madrid but Portugal defender Carvalho committed to a new five-year contract just a year ago and neither player is likely to be permitted to leave as the club attempt to rebuild a side under a new coaching staff.