Chelsea confirm Hiddink as coach until end of season (Roundup)

Feb 11, 2009, 17:38 GMT

London - English Premier League club Chelsea confirmed on Wednesday that Dutchman Guus Hiddink will take over as coach until the end of the season.

The 62-year-old Dutchman will combine the job with his role as Russia's national coach, replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was sacked on Monday.

'Chelsea 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,' Chelsea said a statement.

Chelsea lie fourth in the league, seven points behind leaders Manchester United.

Hiddink said he would not have any trouble combining the roles.

'There will be no damage for the Russian national team, we focus now and in the future on the Russian team,' he said.

Hiddink said he would not be bringing any back-room staff to Chelsea for the foreseeable future.

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

Chelsea captain John Terry expressed his sympathy for the way that Scolari had been sacked, but welcomed Hiddink's arrival.

'He likes to play football. His teams get the ball out from the back and play an awful lot but I don't know too much about him. We'll have to wait and see,' he said.

'I have sympathy for Scolari. He had my support that's for sure, and two or three other players will say exactly the same thing, I'm sure.

'He's a great man. Unfortunately we weren't playing well and it falls on his head. Maybe they (the club) should look at some of us because we did underachieve.'