Guus Hiddink believes new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will inherit a Blues squad in a much better state of mind than the one he took charge of in December.

Hiddink was drafted in on a temporary basis for the second time by owner Roman Abramovich after Chelsea endured a disastrous start to the season under Jose Mourinho.

The Dutchman is yet to experience defeat with Chelsea in the Premier League and admits he had to change the mindset of an unhappy group of players upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “The moment I came in when you do not have good spirit or mentality you might go to undermine the manager but that did not occur.

“It can happen easily with the wrong approach to your profession and wrong attitude but it never happened like that for me.

“I came in December and obviously the state of mind was not good. Something was not right with the team because they were not getting victories.

How the English press covered Antonio Conte's appointment - video:

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“There have been changes of course, but I don’t like to compare what happened before because when I took over I said I didn’t want to know too much.

“I told the players to look in the mirror. Not to see how beautiful they are but to be honest with themselves and to ask why the level of performance has not been there so far.”

Judging by results, the method has worked, with Chelsea 10th in the league having won five and drawn five of their last ten matches.

According to Hiddink, Conte will take over a squad fully prepared to work hard for each other following the progress they have made under him in the last four months.

He said: “What I see now is the players are keen to do the dirty work for themselves, for the team and for others because if you give more than you take then it will be paid back.

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea career in pictures:

“The players have good quality and a good nature and have also shown in the last month a good attitude and high work rate.

“Willian came back from Brazil and he was devastated not just because of the match but because of his small injury and he invested in the dirty work and is very responsible defensively.

“I mention him but there are more and that is what progress I think the team have made.”

Read More: Catch up with Hiddink's Swansea City press conference

Here’s a look back at a nightmare campaign for Mourinho at Chelsea:

Time Line

Timeline: Jose Mourinho's season from hell at Chelsea

  1. Eva row

    August 8 – Mourinho criticises first-team doctor Eva Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn for 'naivety' in running onto the field, at the referee's instruction, to treat Eden Hazard in the opening day draw against Chelsea.

  2. Terry subbed

    August 16 – The Special One hauls captain John Terry off at half-time in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City; the first time he has taken the defender off in a league game.

  3. Costa row

    September 19 – Mourinho was furious with Arsenal and the FA after Diego Costa was retrospectively banned for a feud with Gunners defenders Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel.

  4. Roman dare

    October 3 – After a 3-1 defeat to Southampton, Mourinho practically dared Roman Abramovich to sack him; prompting the club to issue a vote of confidence.

  5. Referee abuse

    October 3 – In that same press conference, Mourinho criticised referee Robert Madeley and earned a £50,000 fine and a suspended stadium ban, which he is appealing.

  6. Electronic tag

    October 15 – Mourinho hits back at the governing body and says he's delighted he wasn't issued with an electronic tag.

  7. Hazard warning

    October 17 – The Portuguese boss criticises Eden Hazard's work rate after dropping him for their 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

  8. Mourinho meltdown

    October 24 – Mourinho is sent off for accosting Jon Moss during half-time at West Ham as Chelsea are condemned to another defeat.

  9. Capital One Cup exit

    October 27 - Chelsea are dumped out of the League Cup as 10-man Stoke City win on penalties

  10. Halloween horror show

    October 31 - Chelsea are beaten 3-1 at Stamford Bridge by Liverpool. After the game Mourinho delivers a bizarre post-match interview, repeatedly answering questions with: "I have nothing to say".

  11. Stadium ban

    November 2 - Mourinho handed a one-match stadium ban and fined £40,000 for his behaviour during the West Ham defeat.

  12. More woe at Stoke

    November 7 - Chelsea lose their seventh Premier League game of the season, as they go down 1-0 at Stoke. Mourinho serves out his stadium ban.

  13. Bib row

    November 29 - Diego Costa is dropped to the bench and appeared to petulantly throw a bib at Mourinho. The champions are held to a goalless draw at Tottenham.

  14. Shocked by Cherries

    December 5 - The pressure is cranked up further on Mourinho after his side lose 1-0 at home to injury-hit Premier League new boys Bournemouth.

  15. Last game in charge

    December 14 - A ninth league defeat of the season, this time to Leicester, comes days after the Blues qualify for the Champions League knockout stages. The Chelsea boss says afterwards he feels "betrayed" by his players, hinting at a dressing room revolt.

  16. End of the road

    December 17 - Mourinho gets the boot after days of discussions at boardroom level. Chelsea cancel Friday's pre-match press conference.

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