Guus Hiddink has said he will replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea's new manager on an interim basis, according to former Blues striker Mateja Kezman.
Kezman, quoted by Croatian newspaper Index, said Hiddink has told him he will succeed Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.
"I do not know if it is officially confirmed, whether the club has announced it, but Guus told me earlier," Kezman said, according to the report.
"I am convinced that with him Chelsea will recover. I would even say they are one of the favourites for the Champions League."
Soon after Mourinho's departure on Thursday afternoon, the Telegraph and other outlets reported Hiddink was set to return to Chelsea, where he won an FA Cup as interim manager in 2009.
The Telegraph also said the club would wait until the end of the season to find a permanent manager.
Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo, meanwhile, said the club do not expect to have a new man in place in time for Saturday's game against Sunderland.
Kezman, who briefly played under Mourinho during the Portuguese's first spell in charge at Chelsea, added: "I am not surprised by [owner Roman] Abramovich's decision to [sack] Mourinho.
"Jose is a superb coach but the results and position in the league are catastrophic and unbecoming the reputation of a club like Chelsea.
"It is incredible that this team were champions last season and are now fighting for dear life in the Premier League.
"I think this decision is correct and Guus Hiddink is a great choice."
Hiddink was also named as Chelsea's new manager by his former employers in Australia.
Former Socceroos boss Hiddink was reported by Football Federation Australia to have been appointed as a temporary successor to Mourinho.
Our former boss has taken charge at @ChelseaFC - https://t.co/KJip8dvZvx Good luck Guus! #GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/KnCp6ewu0w
- Socceroos (@Socceroos) December 18, 2015
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."
Hiddink managed Australia at the 2006 World Cup, helping the team reach the second round.
The official Socceroos Twitter feed also announced: "Our former boss has taken charge at @ChelseaFC - Good luck Guus!"