Captain John Terry used his program notes to deny that “player power” forced Mourinho out but, after a three-game league winless run ended, he accepted that winning back the fans was a challenge.
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Both players have come under huge criticism for their comments and actions towards Mourinho prior to his sacking.
Jose Mourinho was relieved of his duties as manager on Thursday with the defending Premier League champions languishing just a point above the relegation zone, although some supporters maintain the players should shoulder more of the blame.
Terry was one of those players implicated in Mourinho’s claim that he was “betrayed” on the field in his final defeat to Leicester last Monday night but the former England defender has since come out in support of his now former boss.
Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink, left, Didier Drogba, centre, and owner Roman Abramovich watch Chelsea on Saturday.
Fans also defaced posters of the trio outside the ground, with “Fight – like your fans” stickers placed on their foreheads.
Having worked at Stamford Bridge before, the 69-year old is thought to be well respected by those behind the scenes with the Blues.
“We’ve seen some good things, back-to-back wins, which gave us an opportunity to go forward but we’ve dropped back into the mire again through our lack of results”.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chelsea fans stand in silence for the whole game”.
“Pedro, who hadn’t scored in the Premier League since his debut, put them two up to chants of ‘Where were you when we were ****?”, while Oscar’s penalty was greeted with familiar chants of Mourinho’s name.
Branislav Ivanovic opened the scoring for Chelsea against Sunderland.
Believe me when I say that all of us go out to win every game and we players have to look at our performances and take responsibility for where Chelsea sit in the table right now’.
Hiddink, as interim coach, revived a crumbling Chelsea team that had little hope for title contention, into one that would lift the FA Cup for the fifth time.
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The Blues played some excellent football in the first half, an admittedly surprising change for them, and Sunderland seemed simply outmatched and unable to keep up. “Firstly, because there will be big clubs that want him and secondly because I think he’s a guy who needs and wants football and he’s not the sort of guy who’s going to spend eight months at home doing nothing”. James McClean was dismissed for a desperately poor challenge on Adam Smith with the score still goalless, but the latter got his revenge with a low shot shortly after half-time.
