Chelsea name Mourinho’s interim successor

 

Chelsea have confirmed Guus Hiddink as interim manager until the end of the season.

 

The reigning Premier League champions parted company with Jose Mourinho on Thursday with the club only one point above the bottom three after 16 league matches.

 

Hiddink, 69, returns to Stamford Bridge having replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari on a temporary basis midway through the 2008/09 campaign.

 

The Dutchman led Chelsea to their fifth FA Cup title, although his managerial career has notably declined since then, particularly during a disasterous 15-month spell as Netherlands manager which ended in June.

 

“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," Hiddink told the club's website.

 

Chelsea name Mourinho’s interim successor

 

“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 won 11 of his 13 Premier League matches in charge of Chelsea during his first spell with the club (84.6% win ratio).

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