Guus Hiddink will take over as temporary coach of Chelsea until the end of the season.

Following Monday’s surprise sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea have announced that 62-year-old Dutchman Guus Hiddink, will take over as coach with his first game being Chelsea’s trip to Aston Villa next weekend.

Hiddink will continue to coach the Russian national side until the end of the 2010 World Cup, so will have a dual role.

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

It’s never enough time to prepare a team in one week but this is an exceptional situation,” Hiddink added. “Chelsea have good players and they should be in top form and that should make my job easier.”

Chelsea statement:

Chelsea Football Club 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.

Hiddink said about the potential of a long term position:

There are two scenarios: it goes bad and they say ‘go back east’ or it goes well, but I’m not thinking that far ahead.