Hiddink named Chelsea boss
Russia coach Guus Hiddink takes over as temporary Chelsea boss
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Chelsea have been given permission by the Football Union of Russia (FUR) to speak to Guus Hiddink about becoming the club's new temporary coach. |  |
Wednesday, 11, Feb 2009 10:33
Russia coach Guus Hiddink has been confirmed as the man to take over as manager of Chelsea on a temporary basis until the end of the season.
The 62-year-old has agreed terms with the Blues to take charge of the club and will arrive in west London later this week to speak to the players.
Despite the announcement coming just three days before the club are due to play Watford in the FA Cup fifth round this weekend, Hiddink is expected to take charge in time for that game.
In a statement, the Stamford Bridge club said: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to confirm Guus Hiddink will become temporary coach until the end of the season.
"He is due to meet the players later this week.
"The club would like to take this opportunity to thank the Russian Football Union for their understanding and cooperation."
Earlier today, Hiddink was quoted as telling Dutch station Radio 538 that he would be installed at the club within the next seven days.
His name had been in the frame to succeed sacked former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari since the Brazilian left the club on Monday.
And while the Dutchman openly revealed his intention to join Chelsea, he gave no indication over the details of the contract - which at the moment is a short-term arrangement until the end of the season but is rumoured to have been made with a view to a more permanent deal later in the year.
"Abramovich does so much for Russian football that I wanted to do something back," Hiddink is reported as telling Radio 538.
"One of these days I will go to London [and] I expect to be there on the field next week."
When quizzed over his options for a longer-term stay in west London, the former South Korea coach said he is "not thinking that far ahead".
"There are two scenarios," he added, "it goes bad and they say 'go back east' or it goes well."
Hiddink has experience of simultaneously managing a club and international side, enjoying successful concurrent spells with PSV Eindhoven and the Australian national side between 2005 and 2006.
The veteran won the domestic league title with PSV before taking the Socceroos through the group stages to the second round of the 2006 World Cup finals, where they lost to eventual winners Italy.