Guus Hiddink dropped in for lunch with Antonio Conte and old friends at the Chelsea training ground as he considered the prospect of another call to rescue one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Inter Milan’s new Chinese owners Suning Group like Hiddink and consider him as a possible short-term option to replace Frank de Boer who was dismissed this week after only 14 matches in charge.
The 69-year-old Dutchman has been without a club since leaving Chelsea at the end of last season, although there have been offers, including some very lucrative ones from China.
Stefano Pioli was thought to be the favourite for Inter, who play at Southampton in the Europa League on Thursday night, but the Chinese owners are in the process of talking to various candidates.