Harris, who played in a record 795 games for the Blues between 1961 and 1980, also sees West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola as a popular choice - alongside his Hammers assistant and fellow former Chelsea player Steve Clarke.

The return of Mourinho seems highly unlikely, considering his apparent fall-out with Blues owner Roman Abramovich which preceded his exit from the club in September 2007 - not to mention the fact he is under contract with Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Zola also seems an outside bet, with Russia coach Guus Hiddink and former Chelsea boss Avram Grant - both acquaintances of Abramovich - the most likely candidates.

But Harris insists it would be the return of the 'Special One' Mourinho which would be the most positively-received appointment.

"If it was down to the supporters, top of the tree would be Jose Mourinho - and then maybe Zola and Steve Clarke," he told PA Sport.

"They would be the popular choices, but then I'm not the man who pulls the strings at Chelsea."

Whoever comes in will be charged with ensuring the club at the very least qualify for next season's Champions League by finishing in the top four of the Barclays Premier League, and Harris senses the feelgood effect that a new appointment would have could help the club recover to win at least one trophy this season.

Asked about Scolari's sacking, Harris said: "These things happen in football. It seems part and parcel of the game now that if results don't go accordingly then managers don't get the time.

"They're going to have a hard time to nick the Premier League (title. But they're still involved in the FA Cup and they have got a fixture (against Watford on Saturday) that you think they would win.

"Plus they are still in the Champions League, and I think if they won one of those competitions people would say it's not been a bad season.

"Can they win the Champions League? I think that is why they have made the decision.

"They haven't played particularly well for quite some time - they have had some poor results recently - and maybe they're hoping that a fresh start with a new manager will bring them some good results."