Roman Abramovich cannot be accused of dawdling.
Luiz Felipe Scolari sacked on Monday. Guus Hiddink appointed Chelsea manager on Wednesday.
Even in the mad environment of football and the ruthless world of the Russian tycoon that is nifty work.
But do not expect Chelsea's problems to be solved quite so swiftly.
Not because Hiddink is not a sensible choice. Nor because he also has the little matter of coaching Russia to the 2010 World Cup.
The fact is Hiddink has done international and club jobs in tandem before with PSV Eindhoven and Australia with some success. He knows his way around international football and Europe. He was a European Cup winner in his second spell at PSV. He has a calm demeanour and a sharp football brain.
He also has a track record of coaxing the best out of under-performing players, most notably with his Russian experience in which he turned a dispirited bunch into a force capable of wrecking England's ambitions in qualifying for Euro 2008.
But Hiddink has never managed in the English Premier League. And perhaps never at a club like Chelsea where currently there seem to be so many disparate voices.
His first job when he arrives at Stamford Bridge later this week is obvious.
He must unite a dressing room which appears to have more cracks than a Roman ruin following the departure of Scolari.
That was obvious from captain John Terry's revelation that only "two or three players" supported the Brazilian coach.
Terry, Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel have admitted that the players were to blame for Scolari's under-achievement. But does that mean all Chelsea's players are prepared to put in the hard yards which so many clearly were not doing under the Brazilian?
Can Deco rediscover his early-season form? Can Petr Cech reproduce the style which once made him the best goalkeeper in the Premier League?
Can Ballack be coaxed back to his best and Didier Drogba run about as if he cares?
Can Hiddink convince multi-millionaires that Chelsea is still the place to be if they want to win major trophies?
So often when a new manager is appointed there is an immediate effect, a 'dead cat bounce' as players seek to impress and improve their lot.
But this is not Harry Redknapp arriving at Tottenham with just two points from eight games and nowhere to go but up.
Chelsea are up against the big boys. Fourth in the Premier League table. Seven points behind leaders Manchester United having played a game more.
Currently locked in a dogfight with Arsenal for the place which would confer Champions League action next season if two pre-qualifying rounds could be negotiated.
Yet Hiddink's chances of success depend on more than the quality of the opposition around him. They depend on whether Abramovich allows him to do his job. Without meddling.
If Abramovich has sense to go with his money he will look at the way Martin O'Neill has been given free rein at Aston Villa, Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and, of course, Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
He will learn the lesson that football ownership, above all else, is about trust in the man who runs the team.
Whether Abramovich has accepted that, after sacking three managers in 12 months, is by no means certain.
Jose Mourinho apparently went because he would not accede to the owner's whims. Avram Grant was appointed essentially because he was a close ally of Abramovich while Scolari, coming from international management, also appeared to accede too readily to the wishes of the owner.
Hiddink is a fine manager. Wise and resourceful. And he and Abramovich clearly get along.
But that is not enough. His time at Chelsea will only be a success if Abramovich trusts him to do it his way. And his way alone.
Hiddink promises Stamford stay to be short
New Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is refusing to look beyond the current season after agreeing to combine his job as Russia coach in a short-term dual role.
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 English 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 program.
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."
