
Guus
Hiddink is in London to hold talks over the vacant Chelsea job - but is
unlikely to be in charge by the time they play Sunderland.
Steve Holland and Eddie Newton took Chelsea's first-team training on Friday
- watched by owner Roman Abramovich - and are likely to be in charge of the
first team at the weekend.
Hiddink - who led Chelsea to the FA Cup as caretaker boss in 2009 - said "it
was great to be back" but it is understood a deal has yet to be agreed for
him to succeed Jose Mourinho who was sacked by the Blues for a second time
on Thursday.
"We are still talking, exchanging stuff, looking at the situation properly,"
he told
FoxSports Holland. "It is possible that we would still use
this weekend to discuss. I cannot tell you more at this point.
"On what does my signature at Chelsea depend? I will not discuss any details
at this moment. I first must know all and look at everything very well
before I make my decision. Especially when it comes to the technical aspects
of this club. I want to gain as much information as possible. We are taking
our time.
"It could take hours or days before I say yes or no. It is very early, the
news is fresh. They [Jose and the club] just separated from each other
yesterday. I first want to take a good look. If it is great to be back? Yes,
the Premier League is always great."
Hiddink also told Dutch paper De Telegraaf he might be at Stamford Bridge to
watch Chelsea play Sunderland from the stands, depending on how talks
progress.
"Whether I watch the game will depend on my first conversation," he said.
"As will whether I stay in London and continue talks."
The Dutchman, who left his role as Netherlands manager during their
unsuccessful European qualifying campaign, was immediately installed as the
Sky Bet favourite to succeed Mourinho.
Earlier on Friday, Hiddink's former employers at the Australian Football
Federation pledged their support for his imminent takeover at Chelsea on
social media, before swiftly taking it down.
The official Socceroos Twitter feed announced: "Our former boss has taken
charge at @ChelseaFC - Good luck Guus!"
And a website statement also said: "Guus Hiddink has taken temporary charge
at struggling EPL giant Chelsea after the club announced they'd sacked coach
Jose Mourinho overnight following the club's disastrous run in the English
Premier League."
The article was later updated to say that Hiddink "is the leading candidate
to become interim manager" of the Blues.
Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman has claimed Hiddink told him on
Thursday that he had been given the Chelsea job, telling Croatian newspaper
Index: "I do not know if it is officially confirmed, whether the club has
announced it, but Guus told me earlier.
"I am convinced that with him Chelsea will recover. I would even say they
are one of the favourites for the Champions League."
Kezman, who briefly played under Mourinho during his first spell as Blues
manager, also said he was "not shocked" that owner Roman Abramovich decided
to act.
He said: "Jose is a superb coach but the results and position in the league
are catastrophic and unbecoming the reputation of a club like Chelsea.
"It is incredible that this team were champions last season and are now
fighting for dear life in the Premier League. I think this decision is
correct and Guus Hiddink is a great choice."