Chelsea confirm Guus Hiddink as manager following Jose Mourinho's sacking

It is the second time Hiddink has been named caretaker boss at the club, having held the role in 2009 following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari and won the FA Cup during his time in charge.

He will attend Chelsea's game with Sunderland this afternoon but Steve Holland will take control of team matters for the game alongside Eddie Newton, who will become assistant first-team coach.

The 69-year-old inherits a side languishing in 16th place and just one point above the relegation zone after 16 games. Defeat to Leicester on Monday night was their ninth in the league and left the defending Premier League champions 20 points behind the surprise leaders.

Hiddink 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."

Blues owner Roman Abramovich will now attempt to secure a permanent successor to take over in the summer with Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone the leading candidates.

Hiddink has had a mixed record since his last spell at Stamford Bridge, failing to reach the 2010 World Cup with Russia and Euro 2012 with Turkey.

He was sacked from his last job with Holland near the end of their doomed Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

It is the second time Hiddink has been named caretaker boss at the club, having held the role in 2009 following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari and won the FA Cup during his time in charge.

He will attend Chelsea's game with Sunderland this afternoon but Steve Holland will take control of team matters for the game alongside Eddie Newton, who will become assistant first-team coach.

The 69-year-old inherits a side languishing in 16th place and just one point above the relegation zone after 16 games. Defeat to Leicester on Monday night was their ninth in the league and left the defending Premier League champions 20 points behind the surprise leaders.

Hiddink 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."

Blues owner Roman Abramovich will now attempt to secure a permanent successor to take over in the summer with Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone the leading candidates.

Hiddink has had a mixed record since his last spell at Stamford Bridge, failing to reach the 2010 World Cup with Russia and Euro 2012 with Turkey.

He was sacked from his last job with Holland near the end of their doomed Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Mourinho, meanwhile, is already looking towards his next job in management with his Los Angeles based agency confirming that he would not be taking a sabbatical following his departure from Stamford Bridge.

A statement by a CAA Sports spokesman said: "José Mourinho is pleased that he returned to Chelsea Football Club because he was able to give the fans another Premier League title, which they had not won for many years.

"He is immensely proud of his eight trophies at Chelsea, and thanks the fans for all their support throughout his two spells at the club.

"During his career, José has sometimes chosen to leave a club, but only at Chelsea has the club decided that he should leave.

"Each time represents for him the end of a cycle, and the opportunity to start a new one. José hopes that his future after Chelsea this time will be as successful as when he left the club in 2007.

"He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn’t tired, he doesn’t need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward.

"Because of his love of football, you will see José at football grounds working and supporting friends. He will not be attending any high-profile games because he wants to discourage any speculation about his future."

(dailystar.co.uk)