The Stamford Bridge club have turned to the 62-year-old Dutchman following the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Hiddink will combine both roles, something he has done in the past with Australia and PSV Eindhoven.

Chelsea are seven points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United, having played a game more.

It is unclear whether or not Hiddink's stay at Chelsea may be extended beyond the end of the campaign - but it is thought he remains committed to his role with Russia.

Chelsea confirmed they were given permission to talk to Hiddink just yesterday. But with his close links to Blues owner Roman Abramovich, it was never likely to be a lengthy dialogue.

Hiddink today told Radio 538 in Holland that he expects to be in charge at Chelsea before next week.

"Abramovich does so much for Russian football that I wanted to do something back," said Hiddink.

"One of these days I will go to London. I expect to be there on the field next week."

Hiddink has given little thought to staying beyond the end of the current campaign.

He said: "There are two scenarios - it goes bad and they say 'go back east' or it goes well. But I'm not thinking that far ahead."

Hiddink has never before coached in England and has been out of club management since leaving PSV to take over Russia in 2006.

A Chelsea statement, released via their website chelseafc.com, read: "Chelsea FC is delighted to confirm Guus Hiddink will become temporary coach until the end of the season.

"He is due to meet the players later this week. The club would like to take this opportunity to thank the Russian Football Union for their co-operation and understanding."

Hiddink is currently in Turkey with the Russian national side and is likely to fly to England tomorrow, before linking up with his new charges for the first time on Friday.

That may come too soon for the experienced Dutch coach to take his place in the dug-out for the Blues' FA Cup fifth-round clash at Watford on Saturday, in which case Ray Wilkins would take charge.

Hiddink would nevertheless be expected to take his place in the stands for that match - before starting work with the players in preparation for the February 21 meeting with Aston Villa.

Hiddink inherits a side who, despite enduring a disappointing run before Scolari's shock dismissal, are still in with a chance of significant success before the end of the campaign.

Victory over Watford would leave them well placed in the FA Cup, while the Champions League is still in Abramovich's sights.

A last-16 meeting with Juventus - and former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri - awaits Hiddink. But realistically a challenge for the Premier League title will now have to wait for another day and, potentially, another manager.

While the draw of Chelsea may prove strong, Hiddink is determined to lead Russia into the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa - a job he was charged with by Abramovich himself.

The club, meanwhile, may use the time Hiddink's arrival has bought them to pursue their interest in AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The Dutchman's attentions should not be too severely divided between now and May, with Russia facing only two qualifiers in that time.

Neither of those - against two of the lesser lights of international football, Azerbaijan on March 28 and Liechtenstein away on April 1 - clash with the Premier League programme.

The dual role is one he has already been backed to succeed in by Russia captain Sergey Semak.

Semak told TV station Russia Today: "He's taking extra responsibility on himself, but I don't think it will affect the Russian team."