Supplier: Adidas / Sponsor: Samsung After again finishing second to Manchester United in the Premier League the previous season, Chelsea sacked their manager Avram Grant, replacing him with the Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, who had managed the Portugal national team at UEFA Euro 2008 that lost in the quarter finals to Germany.

The first few months of his management went according to plan, as Scolari's narrow 4–1–4–1 formation, using Ashley Cole and new arrival José Bosingwa as wing-backs, initially took the league by storm, leaving Chelsea top ahead of Liverpool after 13 games.

Long-term injuries to Michael Essien and Joe Cole marked the period while Didier Drogba was not included frequently.

Chelsea sacked Scolari, replacing him with Russia national team manager Guus Hiddink for the remainder of the season.

Hiddink's regenerative effect was immediate, with four-straight league wins, including a vital 1–0 victory away to Aston Villa in his first game in charge, moving Chelsea into the top three.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

[1] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.