Hiddink has been brought in to revive Chelsea's fortunes, initially on a short-term basis and Grella is backing him to get the job done.

Grella was part of Hiddink's Socceroos squad at the 2006 World Cup and knows better than most what makes the Dutch super coach tick.

The Blackburn Rovers midfielder told The Sun: " He is  a very strong personality, has a lot of charisma and knows how to handle big-name players. 

 "Discipline is one of his strong points but he also knows how to get the best out of players. He can have a joke with them, sure, but will also get on their backs if he needs to."

Grella believes Hiddink knows when it's time for a laugh and when it's necessary to deliver a boot up the backside.

"He had a laugh with us, yet if he felt a player needed it he would also get on to him. He's one of the best, with perfect awareness of tactics and of the opposition," he said.

Hiddink was brought in after Chelsea dispensed with Luiz Felipe Scolari. Chelsea travel to Aston Villa this weekend.