Hiddink appointment not a panic move says Wilkins

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins insists the club’s decision to sack Luiz Felipe Scolari and hire Guus Hiddink as the Brazilian’s replacement was not a panic move.

Wilkins will be in charge on Saturday for Chelsea’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Watford before Hiddink officially takes over on Monday.

Hiddink, who will watch from the stands at Vicarage Road, has been installed as manager until the end of the season and will combine the role with his other job as coach of the Russian national side.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich axed Scolari after just seven months in charge following reports of dressing room unrest at his tactics and laid-back training regime, as well as a series of increasingly underwhelming performances.

The sight of fans protesting against Scolari after a goalless draw against Hull last Saturday was the final straw for Abramovich, but Wilkins is adamant Hiddink’s impressive CV makes the decision understandable.

“I don’t think it’s a panic measure, he’s a world class coach,” Wilkins said.

“Roman knows him from the Russian situation and they’ve gone for the guy they want to get us to the end of the season. And I think that’s as far as Guus will go anyway.

“The mood is very good, very buoyant. It’s football and footballers get over situations very quickly. There’s another guy coming in and we have to make the best of this situation.

“I think we are still in the race for the championship. There is a long way to go and we have every opportunity.”

Wilkins only joined the club earlier this season to help Scolari get his message across. Despite the Brazilian’s failure, Wilkins will stay at Stamford Bridge to work with Hiddink.

“I’ll be working alongside Guus for the immediate period,” said Wilkins. “He isn’t bringing anyone in for the time being. So it will be Guus and myself and then we’ll see where we go.

“I’ll assist Guus as much as I possibly can. I’m employed by Chelsea and not by the new manager. But if he wants me to disappear I’ll have to disappear.”

Watford, who are managed by former Chelsea reserve team coach Brendan Rodgers, are struggling towards the foot of the Championship and Wilkins admits even that a draw would be a disappointing result.

“I’m sure Brendan is looking forward to the game,” Wilkins said. “From the outside it looks as though there’s a lot of upheaval but it’s the FA Cup.

“Our players will be striving very hard to make sure we get through. We go into every game to win. A draw would disappoint me.”