Jose Mourinho 'an exceptional guy', says Steve Holland

Chelsea assistant coach Steve Holland says the last few days have been "traumatic", and praised Jose Mourinho as an "excpetional guy".

Holland oversaw Chelsea's 3-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday alongside Eddie Newton, but new interim manager Guus Hiddink will be in charge for the Boxing Day clash with Watford at Stamford Bridge.

Boos greeted several Chelsea players throughout the game, particularly Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, while Mourinho's name was sung by fans on several occasions, but Holland is confident the club can move forward.

Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland

Chelsea beat Sunderland as Guus Hiddink looked on

Holland told Sky Sports: "It's been a traumatic few days, for everybody concerned, and when I say everybody I mean everybody.

"The most important and pleasing thing for the club was to get a very important three points, which will hopefully provide a springboard moving forwards.

"I've known Jose for two-and-a-half years, and not only is he an exceptional coach, he is an exceptional guy. 

"You don't see the other side of him, you see the competitor in front of the camera. He is someone I have the utmost respect for and it was a privilege and honour to work with him."

Speaking later at his press conference, Holland said he expected Mourinho to make a swift return to the game.

"He's a guy who needs and wants football," Holland added. "There will be clubs and big clubs who will want him.

"And he's not in my opinion the sort of guy who's going to spend six, seven, eight months sitting at home doing nothing in particular.

"I don't know what the circumstances are contractually and all the rest of it. My point would be that he'll want to get going again sooner rather than later, and it wouldn't surprise me if very big football clubs are interested in him."

Goals from Branislav Ivanovic, Pedro and Oscar gave Chelsea a much-needed fifth win of the season in the Premier League and as well as declaring the win a much-needed morale boost, Holland gave his backing to Costa and Fabregas.

"I think the supporters are entitled to their own opinion, obviously it has been a difficult period for everybody.

"I thought the players gave everything today, and the two players you mention [Costa and Fabregas] made a big contribution today."

"When you've been through the period the team, players, club have been through of late, there's bound to be self-doubt.

"To be 2-0 up so early was certainly a release of tension, and you could see the confidence starting to come back. 

"Today you could see there are some signs of that confidence coming back."