Henrique Hilario has announced his departure with the added twist that there may be a job of sorts for him as a goalkeeping coach - according to GM over on WAGNH. Anyways, let the tributes on here commence. I always thought he got some stick from some that was a bit over-done. Nothing flash as a keeper of course but he rarely let us down when called upon so thanks HH for the good work & all your patience whilst at Chels.

Never let us down really, did as well as we could hope for a 2nd/3rd choice keeper, especially in those games against Barcelona and Liverpool. Good luck to him.

When are we retiring his number?

He was exactly what you want from a 3rd choice keeper.. Loyal, never moaned, and stepped up  and played well when needed, what more could we have asked of him.

Thank you Henrique, you did us proud.

C'mon you lot. Get on with it you miserable dolts. Let's hear it for a good clubman, handy back-up & all round nice guy. 

Had a couple of great games where we expected so little, and also a few absolute disasters.

I was never comfortable with him in goals at all.

He was happy to be a 3rd choice keeper and that probably tells its own story.

But he kept his head down, never caused any troubles, never complained or said stupid things to the press.

Good luck to him.

Great club servant, and very capable goalkeeper capable of the odd spectacular performance and by all accounts a top bloke. Surely the best third-choice keeper in the league on his day, I'm shocked to learn that he was with us for eight seasons; despite only playing 39 games in all, I don't think he moaned once! It was a pleasure having him at the club and I am happy to have him stay on. (also he has one of the best names in football)

 

(Other than Barca/Liverpool) this is probably my favourite Hilario moment, from Petr Cech's telling of the CL final story:

 

So when it went to the shootout, I was confident. I'd had that DVD of the Bayern penalties for four or five days but hadn't watched it. I'd been kind of lazy, and I'd been convinced the game wouldn't go to penalties like in 2008 against Manchester United. But I'd ended up finding the time on the flight over, and that's when I'd watched it. All the goalkeeping staff watched them – Ross Turnbull, Jamal Blackman, Henrique Hilário and Christophe Lollichon – and the idea was we'd all take notes and discuss them in a meeting. When it came round to it, I asked them: "So guys, the notes?" And Hilário just said: 'Don't worry about it. You'll save everything.'

Will never forget how good he was on his debut against Barcelona

I think people often undervalue the role performed by back-up players such as Hilario, not everybody has the humility and professionalism to let others take the limelight while still training hard and being constantly prepared for the odd day when he might be needed.

 

His name is unfortunate though, I know at least one Chelsea fan who would go on about how f**ked we are with "Hilarious" in goal whenever he played.

Wondering if his appointment means that Cech is going and talking Lillichon with him.

I think people often undervalue the role performed by back-up players such as Hilario, not everybody has the humility and professionalism to let others take the limelight while still training hard and being constantly prepared for the odd day when he might be needed.

 

His name is unfortunate though, I know at least one Chelsea fan who would go on about how f**ked we are with "Hilarious" in goal whenever he played.

 

Good lord, as if he had butter fingers    He performed well for us when called upon, plus he seemed like a really likeable fellow.

I wish him the best, and if that's coaching, I hope he can convey his skills.

Performed at least solidly most of the times he was called on. 

Good luck to the guy.

Will never forget how good he was on his debut against Barcelona

Yeah I can remember the worry we all had when Hilario was named to start due to injury, yet he did fantastically.

Wondering if his appointment means that Cech is going and talking Lillichon with him.

He won't be coaching the first team.

Will never forget how good he was on his debut against Barcelona

 

Everyone held their breath whenever the ball went near him, but he acquitted himself well that night. He was what he was, a pretty competent 3rd choice keeper who did a decent job when called upon. I don't remember him having any nightmare games. I wish him all the best.

Only 1 poor game I remember was under Ancelotti when we lost 4-2 at home to man city. Remember terry/bridge handshake-gate

Only 1 poor game I remember was under Ancelotti when we lost 4-2 at home to man city. Remember terry/bridge handshake-gate

 

I remember that, Gareth Barry dived for a penalty and got Belletti sent off. It was years before I forgave him for that. We were sh*t though.

Yea I think Tevez pea rolled one that Hillario should really have stopped but other than that he was good for us. We won the title that season anyway!

Always remember someone on here referring to him as Ridiculo, which made me laugh. Feel bad about it now though, as he had some memorable games for us, even if our blood pressure rose at the time. Great club man

As far as I'm concerned, Hilario and Ferreira should have statues erected outside the Bridge. They embodied what it means to be a Chelsea player and I really think they grew to love this club and be a true fan of Chelsea unlike many of the other foreign and British players that have put on the Blue shirt. Happy for him to have a coaching role at the club for as long as he wants!