Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink welcomes the presence of owner Roman Abramovich at the club’s training ground in times of stability, rather than turmoil.
Hiddink’s weekly media briefing ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at MK Dons was witnessed by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck.
And Abramovich has been a regular visitor to the Blues’ Surrey training base since December’s departure of Jose Mourinho.
Hiddink has overseen a seven-match unbeaten run — Chelsea are eight undefeated since Mourinho’s departure — including last week’s win at Arsenal, which was a high amid a season of strife for the dethroned Premier League champions.
“Normally when big bosses come to the training ground, then it’s a bad message,” Hiddink said.
“They go there to punish or whatever. Every now and again, that happens in the past.
“But I’ve also invited my bosses — although they have the right to step in any minute — to come.
“Normally they say ‘we don’t want to bother, we don’t want to come.’
“But I say ‘no, it’s your club, feel welcome to come to training.’
“That doesn’t mean you don’t make big decisions every now and again, but I like them to feel welcome not just in the official receptions, before or after games.
“I’m happy when they don’t have always these bad messages or decisions to make.”
Hiddink, in his second spell as caretaker boss, has repeatedly ducked questions over whether he will have a role in choosing Mourinho’s permanent successor this summer, insisting his focus was on immediate on-pitch matters.
There was a clamour for the Dutchman to stay on in 2009 after he won the FA Cup, but Carlo Ancelotti was on his way in and Hiddink was contracted to Russia.
He again laughed off suggestions he might stay this summer, having recently insisted his appointment was always a short-term one.
Radamel Falcao has one goal for Chelsea this term and has been out since October with a thigh problem.
Hiddink wants the former Colombia striker, who is on loan from Monaco, to give him a selection dilemma once he returns to fitness, following the arrival of Alexandre Pato.
“We have to help him to get back to what he once was — as a striker who scores lots of goals,” Hiddink added.
“Hopefully I will have problems to pick my striker, or the second striker, or third striker, or who I put in the stands for the game.
“I hope to have that problem as soon as possible.”
