GUUS Hiddink seems set to become the next manager of Chelsea, even as Avram Grant celebrated a remarkable victory in Valencia on Wednesday.

The Dutchman will not take over at Stamford Bridge before the end of next month when Russia's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign is over, reported The Daily Mail.

But the 60-year-old has already started to put his coaching team in place, with Ajax manager Henk ten Cate set to become first-team coach at Chelsea next week for £2.1 million (S$6.3 million) a year.

Ten Cate, who will be one of three assistants to work under Hiddink when and if the latter moves to Chelsea, is regarded as one of the best coaches in football.

He enjoyed a highly successful spell as Frank Rijkaard's assistant at Barcelona before joining Ajax last year.

Dutch newspaper De Pers reported that Hiddink has already secretly agreed to take charge at Chelsea and that it is only a matter of time before an official announcement is made.