Chelsea paid tribute to the departing Hilario ahead of Boxing Day's Premier League clash with Fulham. The 49-year-old leaves the club after 18 years to join Thomas Tuchel at England.
Hilario arrived at Stamford Bridge as a player in 2006, making 39 appearances. The Portuguese spent most of his time as second choice behind Petr Cech but did help the Blues win two FA Cups, the League Cup and Community Shield.
He returned to Chelsea in 2016 as an assistant goalkeeping coach under Antonio Conte before being promoted to goalkeeping coach by Maurizio Sarr. He has worked under Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca.
In November, it was confirmed that Hilario would reunite with Tuchel at St George's Park to become England's new goalkeeping coach. He follows James Melbourne in leaving Chelsea for the national set-up.
Thursday's clash with Fulham is the final game at Stamford Bridge ahead of his exit and the club released a touching tribute to the former goalkeeper. Ahead of the clash, a shirt with 'Hilario 40' was hung inside the home team dressing room next to the current stars.
Hilario's final game as part of Maresca's coaching team will be on Monday night when they travel to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town. He is set to begin his tenure on January 1 ahead of the March international break.
England's first game under Tuchel is against Albania on March 21 2025 before they take on Latvia three days later in the first of their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
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Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's second goal from the penalty spot with team mate Jadon Sancho during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Stamford Bridge on September 28, 2024
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