Guus Hiddink urges Chelsea to be 'transparent' about new manager amid Antonio Conte links

Guus Hiddink is keen for Chelsea to reveal the identity of their new manager as soon as possible. The Dutchman has been serving as the interim boss since the dramatic departure of Jose Mourinho in December 2015 and he is eager for the club to inform their fans straightaway.

Italy coach Antonio Conte has been strongly linked with the position in recent days. Hiddink has refused to be drawn on specific names but has encouraged the west London club to be as "transparent" as possible.

Asked if he knew anything about a deal with Conte, Hiddink told a pre-match press conference for their Premier League game against Southampton on 27 February: "You have heard more than me because that's your job. I'm not involved in this and that's all you'll get from me. I'm in favour that when things are done, you make it transparent.

"Of course this club is searching now. They like experienced managers and there are a lot. It's up to them to make up their mind, to make their decisions."

Conte is set to lead Italy into Euro 2016, and Chelsea's interim manager explained the key differences between international and club football. "There are a lot of differences between being a club and international manager," he said, according to the Evening Standard.

"When you are in a club, you have the daily influence as a manager on the way of playing, on the behaviour on the pitch and outside the pitch. You have a lot of influence on a daily basis. When you're a national team manager, now and then you play every three or four days, so that's more difficult to get it as you wish."

Hiddink added: "The only exception is when you are going into a tournament, you have three weeks more or less to prepare as you do a club team. You have a bigger influence then. It's always exciting going to a new county. I think it's important to get into the culture of the country, but even more so the culture of the club. Also to learn as soon as possible the language, especially when it's a difficult one, to go into your own football language."

Chelsea have also been linked with the likes of Massimiliano Allegri, the Juventus coach, and Atlético Madrid's Diego Simeone. However, Conte is widely considered to be the most attainable of their candidates.