Premier League - Chelsea confirm Hiddink

Eurosport - Thu, 12 Feb 11:09:00 2009

Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Guus Hiddink as their new manager until the end of the season.

Guus Hiddink - Chelsea - 0

The Dutchman was quickly targeted as a replacement for Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was sacked on Monday following a poor run of results.

Hiddink, currently in charge of Russia's national side, was given permission by the Russian Football Union to hold talks with Chelsea, and will now combine the two positions.

A statement on Chelsea's official website read: "Chelsea Football Club are delighted to confirm Guus Hiddink will become temporary coach until the end of the season. He is due to meet the players this week.

"The club would like to take this opportunity to thank the Russia Football Union for their understanding and cooperation."

The wheels of the move were put into motion by Blues owner Roman Abramovich, who helps finance Hiddink's role with Russia.

And a short-term deal has been agreed which will see the former PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid boss take charge at Stamford Bridge at least until the conclusion of the current campaign.

"It's to help out a friend. Abramovich is doing so much for Russian football and I want to do something back," Hiddink told Dutch Radio station 538.

"At the end of March there are two qualification matches, then again in June. So it is possible and at the end of the English season it's over.

'Within a few days I will go to London. I expect to be on the pitch next week."

He told Reuters: "It's never enough time to prepare a team in one week but this is an exceptional situation. Chelsea have good players and they should be in top form and that should make my job easier."

Hiddink also said he planned to attend Chelsea's FA Cup fifth round tie at Watford on Saturday.

Reports had suggested the 62-year-old is in line for a £2.5 million pay cheque for his four months in the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

But Hiddink denied his interest in the job was a result of the potentially enormous financial benefits and claimed he does not intend to put pen to paper on a contract.

"I don't have to sign one. It's not a question of money," he said.

Asked if he intended to bring any assistants with him to Stamford Bridge, he replied: "Not at this time."

"I always want to see the situation in the team myself first before making any changes if they have to be made," he added.

Meanwhile, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has been touted as the long-term replacement for Scolari, with the Italian rumoured to be ready to take over from Hiddink in June.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 186 - 205 of 205

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  1. GUUS is a good coach, i trust he'll resurrect­ chelsea.

    From reuben.jesse, on Thu 12 Feb 10:41PM

  2. Scortita, you are one funny fella. You honestly think­ Guus is helping out Chelsea as a friend? Yeah right. A­ man who has managed four,count them four, different­ countries and didnt pay his taxes in his homeland until­ they threatened him with jail, and you dont think­ he's in it for the cash???

    From Loz, on Thu 12 Feb 4:06PM

  3. the good thing about a short term coach is that he will­ find it easier to drop stars which will in turn make­ them perform better.

    hope it works out well and he­ either stays(which I know aint ment to happen) or­ another top coach comes into a more stable team and can­ get a bit more consistancy going with players and­ managers staying for a minnimum of 3 seasons

    From yip, on Thu 12 Feb 3:10PM

  4. Look at the talent on the pitch, start playing­ football­ as a squad with a desire to win.... where has­ the­ hunger to win gone? Chelsea you are a team so­ start­ acting as a combined unit, show your new manager­ your­ worthy of a place in the squad

    From m.p.t, on Thu 12 Feb 2:30PM

  5. come back dave sexton...all is fogiven

    From m.fowler771, on Thu 12 Feb 11:18AM

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    From , on Thu 12 Feb 11:12AM

  7. chelsea almosst gave me heart attack . idnt give a @#$%­ about chelsea and the new coach .my new team is ac­ milan

    From Ambore, on Thu 12 Feb 10:18AM

  8. Hiddink achieved a success with every team he was in­ charge of.So good luck to him,even I think in 2-3­ months time he wont be able to do or achieve­ anything.its just a temporary for him,but chelsea got­ the best part time coach they can possibly­ get,considering they want ancelotti end of season.
    I­ rspect Alex Ferguson a lot by the way :p

    From vov4ik01, on Thu 12 Feb 10:02AM

  9. If the assertion is true of Hiddink then he's truly­ a companion in times of distress.
    He would have proven­ his conscience apt and pure as a man who has empathetic­ feeling and appreciation for genuine help of a friend.­ I honestly don my heart for such a high-brow in the­ game. I hope Abromovich is able to contract such a­ reputable man in the game permanently.
    You are welcome­ Guus!!! I also have the honor to confer on you Dr. in­ Coaching. Welcome Boss!!!!

    From scortita, on Thu 12 Feb 9:46AM

  10. exactly... respect Alex Ferguson then :)

    From scortita, on Thu 12 Feb 9:31AM

  11. If the assertion is true of Hiddink then he's truly­ a companion in times of distress.
    He would have proven­ his conscience apt and pure as a man who has empathetic­ feeling and appreciation for genuine help of a friend.­ I honestly don my heart for such a high-brow in the­ game. I hope Abromovich is able to contract such a­ reputable man in the game permanently.
    You are welcome­ Guus!!! I also have the honor to confer on you Dr. in­ Coaching. Welcome Boss!!!!

    From scortita, on Thu 12 Feb 9:08AM

  12. Hiddink is one of the best coaches in the world,he­ achieved a lot in his life,and devfinetely not greedy.­ all u guys need to learn to respect people,and then may­ be someone will respect u.

    From vov4ik01, on Thu 12 Feb 8:38AM

  13. 222 you are crazy.. do you also feed from Abramovich?­ its greedy foolishness to
    hold two positions..even the­ bible says you cannot serve two masters.....

    BEL

    From Brian, on Thu 12 Feb 8:20AM

  14. moses wait until may & c if u can repeat those­ statements

    From kolade, on Thu 12 Feb 8:15AM

  15. hey kolade nice treble grant scolari and hiddink ­ losers

    From moose1066, on Thu 12 Feb 8:01AM

  16. This guy Hiddink or hoodwinker is nuts.. he says its­ not for the money but he
    accepts two jobs..he wants to­ eat both ways..greedy..not so? Poor chelsea fans
    who­ will pay through watching a mediocre team, mediocre­ coach..mediocre Kenyon
    whos got no say..what a­ circus

    BEL pa zed

    From Brian, on Thu 12 Feb 8:01AM

  17. The whole Tzelski bandwagon should pack up and ship­ themselves off to Moscow, along with players, fans,­ multi millionaires, fluffy mascots and their tea­ ladies. Have lost any respect for them as an EPL­ outfit. It takes years, perseverance and patience to­ become a great club who will always be there or there­ abouts. Is nobody learning that from the clubs who­ stick with their managers whether they have funny money­ backing or not......ie Man Utd, Arsenal, Aston Villa,­ Everton?

    From Andy, on Thu 12 Feb 7:54AM

  18. chealsea is in line for the treble even if managed by­ JT

    From kolade, on Thu 12 Feb 7:50AM

  19. comment 219 little wonder you are a wasted soul

    From kolade, on Thu 12 Feb 7:48AM

  20. hasnt won much except with PSV. Why is this guy­ considered so good?

    From HOVAbyte, on Thu 12 Feb 7:31AM
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