Hiddink confirms talks over Chelsea job

LONDON — Guus Hiddink confirmed Friday that he is in talks to take over as Chelsea interim manager following Jose Mourinho's sacking. Hiddink is Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's top choice to replace Mourinho on a caretaker basis until the end of the season while he searches for a long-term successor. The 69-year-old Dutchman met Chelsea's directors for the first time in a London hotel Friday afternoon, Dutch daily tabloid De Telegraaf reported. Hiddink has already had a successful spell as Chelsea caretaker boss in 2009, when he was hired after the dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari and steered Chelsea to FA Cup glory, while also reaching the Champions League semifinals during his three months in charge. Although many reports claim Hiddink is certain to take the job, the former South Korea and Australia manager says he is still deciding whether to accept Chelsea's offer. "I want to get as much information as possible," from Chelsea, Hiddink told De Telegraaf's online edition. "The going's lousy for Chelsea at the moment and there are reasons for that. I first want to fully understand these reasons before making my decision." Hiddink said he will not officially take charge of the team this weekend even if he agrees terms with the Blues, but he is likely to watch from the stands when Chelsea faces fellow strugglers Sunderland in a crucial Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge Saturday. "Whether I attend the match depends on my opening meeting," Friday, Hiddink said. "My initial meeting will also determine whether I stay in London for longer to discuss the issue." With the rest of Mourinho's coaching staff having left along with the Portuguese boss, that would leave first team coach Steve Holland to pick the team to take on Sunderland. Hiddink won six Dutch league titles and the European Cup across two spells as PSV Eindhoven manager. Since leaving Chelsea, he has endured unsuccessful spells as manager of Turkey, Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala and the Netherlands. He stood down as Netherlands boss in June, with its Euro 2016 qualifying hopes already in disarray. Mourinho's tumultuous second spell at Chelsea ended Thursday "by mutual consent" immediately after he had finished a Christmas dinner with the rest of the squad and staff at the club's Cobham training ground. Chelsea's technical director Michael Emenalo revealing that squad disharmony was a significant factor after months of reports that key players were unhappy with Mourinho's acerbic man-management style. — AFP