Guus Hiddink to stay on at Chelsea as Roman Abramovich goes Dutch again

27 February 2009 09:50
Hiddink agreed to take over at Stamford Bridge following the dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari as a favour to his friend, the Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, only on the condition that he was to keep his post as Russia coach as well. [LNB]Abramovich is a generous benefactor across many levels of the game in Russia, and even pays a proportion of Hiddink's wage for his work with the national team. [LNB]However, Hiddink's unusual job share arrangements caused a degree of resentment in the Russian media, and with the public, and now, according to a report in the Daily Mail[LNB], he is lining up Advocaat to try and appease all concerned. [LNB]Advocaat, the former Rangers manager, has a stellar reputation in Russia after guiding Zenit St Petersburg to the league title in 2007, and the Uefa Cup the following year, and even got the better of Manchester United in the European Super Cup at the start of the season. [LNB]Hiddink has been clear that his position at Chelsea is, for the moment, only a short-term arrangement, and fully intends to return to Russia full-time in the summer. [LNB]However, his arrival has seen an immediate up-turn in fortunes at Chelsea, albeit in just two games, and Abramovich is keen to keep his man. [LNB]Russia were one of the best performers at last year's European Championships and Hiddink, who has enjoyed success on the international stage with Netherlands, South Korea and Australia in the past, may wish to take a fourth side to the World Cup. [LNB]Abramovich would rather have Hiddink full-time but the possibility exists that the current arrangement would be extended for another season. [LNB]The suspicion that Hiddink will stay on at Chelsea past the summer has also been given credibility by Hiddink recommending players to pursue in the next transfer window. [LNB]With Salomon Kalou likely to leave in the summer, Hiddink has advised the club to try and buy Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery and CSKA Moscow winger Yuri Zhirkov. [LNB]

Source: Telegraph