Source: Daily_Mail
Fears grow in Russia over Chelsea's attempts to lure Hiddink away
Andrei Kanchelskis fears for the future of Russia's promising national team if Guus Hiddink is tempted to continue his work at Chelsea into next season.
The Russian FA admit they are ready to discuss a deal to extend Hiddink's dual role beyond the current agreement, which ends after the English season.
'I thought it was OK for him to go to Chelsea this season because the English championship finishes at the end of May and it is not a big problem for the people of Russia but it is important for him to come back,' said former Russia and Manchester United winger Kanchelskis.
'I don't know if it is possible to do both jobs next season. If he is Chelsea coach, there will be more pressure because they play every year to win the Premier League and to win the Champions League.
'From Russia's point of view, we need to keep him. We have started our qualification games well and the team understand everything he wants for them.
'The team is playing better football. He has changed the mentality. They are better organised and a little bit more relaxed.'
Hiddink's Russia, currently ranked eighth in the world, are away to Liechtenstein tomorrow in a World Cup qualifier. They then play Finland in June and complete the campaign with four games in the autumn.
Kanchelskis said: 'We have a chance to win the World Cup but the important time is at the end of May when we see what happens for the future of Russian football.
'If Hiddink leaves it is a little bit different. There is a possibility Russia may change the president of the Football Federation as well. These changes will be difficult.'
Kanchelskis, 40, is now the general manager of Russian first division club Nosta Novotroitsk and a great admirer of Hiddink as a coach.
He understands why Roman Abramovich wanted to lure the 62-year-old Dutchman to Stamford Bridge to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari.
'Hiddink is a good person,' added Kanchelskis. 'He is open. He always talks to the players and the press, not like Mourinho or Scolari.
'Mourinho is a more closed man with a big head. Hiddink is different. He is a very good man. He has a good career. He has worked with good teams.
'He is very popular and Chelsea is a popular team in Russia. A lot of people in Russia love them.'
