Guus Hiddink urges Chelsea to make quick managerial appointment

Guus Hiddink says that he would be in favour of Chelsea reaching a swift decision over the identity of their next permanent manager, expressing the view that the club ought to make it public as soon as they know themselves.

Chelsea are in talks with Antonio Conte about him taking over once his contract with Italy expires after the European Championship in the summer and it is understood that he has his heart set on the move to Stamford Bridge.

Hiddink, who will leave the club at the end of the season, was asked whether he preferred a quick appointment. “I am in favour,” the interim manager said. “But it’s a personal opinion that when things are done, you make it transparent. Of course, this club is searching now and they like experienced managers. And there are a lot of them. It’s up to them to make up their mind and make the decisions.”

Hiddink, who has worked around the world during his long career, also said that it was vital for a new manager to embrace the local culture, both on and off the field, together with the language. Conte, who has never previously worked outside of Italy, has been working hard to learn English.

“It’s always exciting, going to another country,” Hiddink said. “You want to get, as soon as possible, into the culture of the country and, more, the culture of the club. You want to learn the language, especially. Where it is a difficult language, you have your own football language, and it’s not perfect, of course. But to go as soon as possible into the football culture of a club or a country is important.”

Hiddink reported that John Terry would not be fit for Saturday's Premier League visit to Southampton, because of hamstring trouble, while he suggested that next Tuesday's game at Norwich City might also come too soon for him. "We will see whether he is fit for Stoke [at home next Saturday],"Hiddink said.

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