FFA announces Hiddink as Chelsea manager

FFA jumped the gun on reports Guus Hiddink is in line to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager, before backtracking on the report.

Chelsea are yet to confirm Guus Hiddink as their new manager, but that didn't stop Football Federation Australia temporarily giving the role to the former Socceroos coach on Friday.

FFA broke ranks with the world's media and announced Hiddink was taking the job vacated by sacked manger Jose Mourinho at the English Premier League champions.

"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," the online report read.

The Socceroos' official Twitter account posted the story along with the tweet: "Our former boss has taken charge at @ChelseaFC - Good luck Guus!"

The problem was, the global scoop was wrong.

"Aussie Guus", who steered the Socceroos to a drought-breaking World Cup in 2006, is one of several candidates to take an caretaker role at Chelsea while they search for a new full-time boss.

FFA realised the mistake and deleted their tweet - which had been retweeted more than 1000 times in less than two hours - and sheepishly amended their story accordingly.

It didn't stop a social media backlash.

Leading football journalist Gabriele Marcotti tweeted "Weird that Australian FA's official website announces Hiddink to CFC b4 Chelsea does?" to more than 415,000 followers.

Another user wrote: "...ok? Maybe Chelsea would like to announce that."


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Source: AAP

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