English Premier League
Guus Hiddink holding talks with struggling Chelsea
English Premier League

Guus Hiddink holding talks with struggling Chelsea

Published Dec. 18, 2015 8:26 a.m. ET

Guus Hiddink has told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf he is holding talks with Chelsea over a second stint as interim manager at Stamford Bridge.

The 69-year-old Dutch boss arrived in London on Friday to meet with Chelsea chiefs over a short-term role to replace Jose Mourinho.

Hiddink told De Telegraaf he would listen to Chelsea's proposals before deciding whether to return to the club he coached to the FA Cup title in 2009.

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"I want to get some good insight before I make my decision," said Hiddink.

Mourinho left his Chelsea post on Thursday, just seven months after guiding the Blues to the Premier League title but after suffering nine defeats in 16 league matches this term.

Hiddink would appear to be Chelsea's preferred caretaker appointment while the likes of Pep Guardiola, Diego Simeone and Antonio Conte are reported to be potential long-term successors to Mourinho.

Hiddink pledged to hear Chelsea's offer in full before deciding whether to accept the challenge, suggesting first team coach Steve Holland could take charge of Saturday's Premier League clash with Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

"I want as much information as possible," said Hiddink.

"Chelsea are in a bad situation and there are reasons for that.

"Whether or not I'm visiting their next match depends on my first conversation. Then I'll decide if I should stay in London longer."

Well-travelled Dutch veteran Hiddink is viewed as the perfect antidote to the dressing-room discontent that has coincided with Chelsea's decline from defending champions into relegation battlers.

The former Australia boss seemed to have his Chelsea move prematurely rubber-stamped by his one-time employers, the Socceroos releasing a statement to their official website.

Chelsea insisted Mourinho's Thursday afternoon exit was by "mutual consent", only for technical director Michael Emenalo to then cite "palpable discord" between the manager and the players for the 52-year-old's departure.

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