The Australian FA have confirmed the appointment of Guus Hiddink as interim Chelsea manager, before any official announcement has been made made by the club.

The former Australian football manager is widely expected to take charge of the Blues until the end of the season, having spent time in charge of the club back in 2009.

On its website, the federation stated: "Guus Hiddink has taken temporary charge at struggling EPL giant Chelsea after the club announced they'd sacked coach Jose Mourinho overnight following the club's disastrous run in the English Premier League."

They even went as far as announcing the appointment on via social media, before the Tweet was quickly deleted.

Ahead of the game: The Socceroos announce the appointment of Hiddink on Twitter on Friday. Image: Twitter/The Daily Mail

Speaking to Croatian newspaper Index, former Chelsea striker, Mateja Kezman, said: "I do not know if it is officially confirmed, whether the club has announced it, but Guus told me earlier.

"I am convinced that with him Chelsea will recover. I would even say they are one of the favourites for the Champions League."

Hiddink guided the club to the FA Cup in the closing stages of the 2008/09 season, beating David Moyes' Everton.