Chelsea
have confirmed that Guus Hiddink will take over as interim manager until the
end of the season.
The Dutchman will not take charge of first-team duties for the game at home
to Sunderland on Saturday, with Steve Holland and Eddie Newton in the
dugout, but he will watch from the stands with owner Roman Abramovich.
Hiddink, who took temporary charge of the Blues when Luis Felipe Scolari was
sacked in 2009 and won the FA Cup, said: "I am excited to return to Stamford
Bridge.
"Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world but is not where it should
be at the moment. However, I am sure we can all turn this season around.
"I am looking forward to working with the players and staff at this great
club and especially renewing my wonderful relationship with the Chelsea
fans."
Confirming the news, a Chelsea statement said: "Mr Abramovich and the board
believe that Guus has what it takes to get the best out of our talented
squad."
The Dutchman, who left his role as Netherlands manager earlier this year
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.
Former Chelsea player and assistant manager Ray Wilkins believes Hiddink is
the right choice, and said: "To put him in and have Steve Holland alongside
him would be the right choice.
"His career hasn't gone well, but he is the best man-manager I've ever seen.
His English is first class and his mentality is too. He works hard but he
loves a good giggle.
"He was a success last time firstly because he didn't have the language
barrier, which Chelsea had with Felipe Scolari, who couldn't quite get his
message across. Guus came in to enjoy himself, and enjoy himself he did."
Hiddink began his career with PSV Eindhoven where he wont six Dutch titles
and the European Cup. He has also managed Real Madrid, Netherlands twice,
South Korea, Australia, Russia, Turkey, and a number of other clubs.
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