Dutchman Guus Hiddink has confirmed he has held talks with Chelsea about becoming the English Premier League club's interim manager - but says he's not made up his mind about accepting the role.
The former Netherlands and Australia football coach Guus Hiddink. Photo: KNVB
Hiddink, who performed a similar role in 2009 at the west London club, is favourite to replace Jose Mourinho who was sacked by the English champions yesterday after Chelsea's dismal start to the season.
"I want to gather as much information as possible. Chelsea indeed has a lousy performance and there are reasons for it," the 69-year-old was quoted as saying by Dutch paper De Telegraaf.
"First, I want to get a good understanding of this, before I make my decision."
On whether he would be at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's game against Norwich City on Sunday (NZ time) Hiddink said: "That (attending the game) is something the coaches do.
"Whether I go to see the match depends on my first conversation. Depending on the outcome, I will determine whether I remain longer in London to discuss the matter further."
Earlier, Football Federation Australia temporarily gave the Chelsea role to the former Socceroos coach.
"Guus Hiddink has taken temporary charge at struggling EPL giant Chelsea after the club announced they'd sacked coach Jose Mourinho overnight following the club's disastrous run in the English Premier League," the online FFA report read.
The Socceroos' official Twitter account posted the story along with the tweet: "Our former boss has taken charge at ChelseaFC - Good luck Guus!"
The problem was, of course, that the global scoop was wrong.
"Aussie Guus" steered the Socceroos to a drought-breaking World Cup in 2006.
- Reuters / AAP
