Chelsea confirm Guus Hiddink appointment

Jose Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea earlier this week after presiding over a disastrous defence of Chelsea's Premier League title, with the club 16th in the table with nine defeats in 16 games.

It is Dutchman Hiddink's second spell at Chelsea having won the FA Cup in 2009 in an interim role following the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"I am excited to return to Stamford Bridge," he said. "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."

Hiddink will be at Stamford Bridge for Saturday's game against Sunderland, which will be overseen by Steven Holland and Eddie Newton.

The Dutchman has a varied and impressive CV having won the European Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 1988 and managed the likes of South Korea, Russia, Turkey and his home country.

However, his second spell in charge of Netherlands ended in disaster as he was axed before the conclusion of their failed attempt to qualify for Euro 2016.

Hiddink takes on a poisoned chalice with Chelsea's squad in disarray after Mourinho's ruinous season. However, he has proved a safe pair of hands in the past and Chelsea's interim managers have done pretty well. Roberto Di Matteo won the FA Cup and Champions League before landing the job permanently; Rafa Benitez won the Europa League; and even Avram Grant reached the League Cup and Champions League final.