Hiddink kills off Chelsea move
Former Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink has effectively ruled himself out of the running to take over as manager of Chelsea, with the Russia coach indicating he will stay on with the national team until 2010.
With Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich having close ties with the Russian Federation as well as Hiddink, it seemed like a natural move for the Dutchman to slot back into the rigours of club football. That possibility raised given Russia’s struggles in European qualifying.
“We had discussions with [Russian football federation chief Vitaly Mutko] and we agreed for me to stay on for two more years,” Hiddink told Eurosport.
“It is a wise decision not only to think about the upcoming match or matches but to think ahead to the future of Russian football.”
Russia is currently sitting third in European qualifying, two points behind second placed England heading into this weekend’s round.
“Since people continually associate me with Roman Abramovich, I thought it would be a good idea to explain a little bit about our relationship,” Hiddink said.
“I have met him five times; four times in London and once at the PSV training complex. As for all those stories about me being a candidate for the Chelsea job, we never discussed it.
“I know that you can never say never in football, but that option would not have made sense,” Hiddink told Eurosport.
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