Hiddink considers Chelsea part time job
Chelsea could soon sign Guus Hiddink as its coach for the rest of the Premier League season. Russia`s national team boss is set to travel to London on Thursday for talks with the club of billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Russia`s Football Union has confirmed it has given permission for Chelsea to speak to Guus Hiddink about the vacant manager?s job with the club. The coach is now in Turkey where the Russian team is holding a training session, scheduled from February 8 to 12.
Hiddink has almost god like status around Russia, after guiding the national side to the semi-finals of the Euro 2008 championships. The 62-year-old and his players received a hero?s welcome after returning home. The impact of their success was colossal. Statues were erected in Hiddink?s honour, while some new born children were even named after the Dutchman.
Hiddink has also categorically stated he will not leave Russia, and if he was to join Chelsea, he will combine the jobs.
"I love to work with the team. I like to take a part in the progress and development of Russian football?s future," Guus Hiddink said.
Guus Hiddink?s men sit second in Group 4 of World Cup 2010 qualifiers, four points away from Germany with one game in hand.
In theory Hiddink?s decision seems logical. Russia will only play two World Cup qualifying matches before the English Premier League season finishes, at home to Azerbaijan at the end of March, and then a few days later in Lichtenstein. This shouldn?t be too much of an issue for the team, as both countries are hardly footballing powerhouses.
Then there is the Roman Abramovich factor. He is a personal friend of Hiddink and is the owner of Chelsea, but also pays a significant part of the Dutchman?s multi-million euro a year contract to coach the Russian national football team.
"The good thing that Abramovich, who is linked to Chelsea, is also linked to Russian football and he makes a great contribution for the national team as well as to the education of young footballers," Hiddink said
However, there?s another twist to the Hiddink saga. Russia?s head coach hasn?t been paid for the last three months, but he says money isn?t an issue and he won?t quit the national team.
"Money is not the biggest thing in the world. What I like to do most is help people," Russia?s coach said.
It seems the uncertainty around Hiddink?s future isn?t getting to the players, and Russia?s captain Sergey Semak said he?d be happy for the Dutchman to combine the two roles,
"I think Hiddink can decide on his own whether he can combine the work with the national team and with Chelsea. He?s taking extra responsibility on himself, but I don?t think it will somehow affect the Russian team," Sergey Semak said.
It is likely there will be a few more unknowns concerning the future of one of the world?s best and most respected head coaches, but Russian football fans can take a big sigh of relief, as even if their messiah does decide to join Chelsea on a short term contract, he will still stay on as Russia?s manager.
Meanwhile, Russia?s Sport Express newspaper reports, Chelsea understands that Hiddink is not interested in a long term contract with the club, but it will try to keep the coach for more than three months - meaning at least another season.
In this case Chelsea may promise to pay up the Russian Football Union?s debt, which is estimated at around $US 3.5 million.
If Hiddink declines the proposal he may be replaced by either current AC Milan coach Carlo Anchelotti, or Frank Rijkaard, who is in search of a job after leaving Barcelona at the end of the 2007/08 season.
|
