Jose Mourinho sacked: Australian FA jumps the gun and announce Guus Hiddink as new Chelsea boss

Guus Hiddink has been named as the new interim manager of Chelsea... by the Australian FA. Hiddink, who took the reins at Stamford Bridge for four months during the 2008-09 season, quickly emerged as a favourite to take temporary charge of the club following the departure of Jose Mourinho on 17 December.

But his former employers at the Australian FA appeared to jump the gun a tad, confirming the appointment before Chelsea have announced any decision.

"Guus Hiddink has taken temporary charge at struggling EPL giant Chelsea after the club announced they had sacked Jose Mourinho overnight following the club's disastrous run in the English Premier League," an initial statement read.

The official Soccceroos website has since amended its story, claiming Hiddink is the "leading candidate" to become interim manager.

Hiddink helped Australia qualify for their first ever World Cup campaign in 2006. The 69-year-old, who was sacked as Netherlands manager after just three months in charge in November, is however expected to be named as the new man in charge at Stamford Bridge on 18 December.

Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman was another to let the cat out of the bag when he told Croatian newspaper Index that Hiddink has already told him the job is his. He said: "I do not know if it is officially confirmed, whether the club have announced it, but Guus told me earlier. I am convinced that with him Chelsea will recover. I would even say there are one of the favourites for the Champions League."

Mourinho was dismissed in a 10-minute meeting with chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum. He leaves the club just a point above the relegation zone having lost nine of the 16 league games he took charge of this season, leaving Chelsea's hopes of defending their Premier League crown in tatters.