The Blues moved quick on this one.
Chelsea FC confirmed, shortly after 1:30pm on Saturday, that Guus Hiddink will take charge at the club until the end of the season.
On Thursday, the league champions let Jose Mourinho go ‘by mutual consent’. The club were languishing 16th in the Premier League when the axe fell for the Portuguese.
Here is the official club statement on the man who may well be warming the Stamford Bridge dug-out seat for Pep Guardiola:
‘The owner and the Board welcome back a coach with a wealth of top-level experience and success, including his previous spell with the club in 2009 when we lifted the FA Cup.
‘Roman Abramovich and the Board believe that Guus has what it takes to get the best out of our talented squad.’
As for the Dutchman, he commented, “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.”
Hiddink, who previously fulfilled the interim role and won the FA Cup for Chelsea in 2008/09, will be assisted in coaching by Steve Holland and Eddie Newton.
