Source: Eurosport
Hiddink: 'Impossible' To Combine Roles
Guus Hiddink has ruled out any prospect of combining both the Russia and Chelsea jobs next season.
The Dutchman is currently combining both roles and continues to insist he will leave Chelsea after the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 30.
Hiddink has now dismissed any chance of combining the roles next season as he attempts to guide Russia into the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Hiddink has a clause in his contract with the Russian Football Federation that allows him to leave the job should they fail to reach the finals.
He has transformed Chelsea since he took charge from sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and fans and most of the players are keen for him to stay.
The Blues are in the final of the FA Cup and in the last four of the Champions League as well as having an outside chance of snatching the league title from Manchester United.
But even if the Premier League club reached a further agreement with the Russian Federation to allow Hiddink to continue in both roles until their World Cup fate was known, the Dutchman would turn it down.
"It's important this relationship I have with the Russia players," said Hiddink.
"Because, even on a practical level, it's impossible to do. In August we have a friendly game which is 48 hours before a Chelsea game.
"Then you have to look at all the Russian players ahead of the qualifiers in September, and there are more qualifiers in October.
"Hopefully not in November, but there is a possibility of a play-off. So I'll be very occupied with all that.
"I know the body of the squad - so scouting isn't the main issue, but I've challenged them and it wouldn't be fair for me to leave.
"There is this project I started to renew with my people. It would not be fair with the players who I challenged to go into a new era of football if I said: 'Sorry, I'm leaving'."
Hiddink is preparing his side for an FA Cup final dress rehearsal against Everton on Wednesday night and he knows that victory will keep their dreams of a trophy-treble alive.
"We have the attitude in the club, even in training sessions, that we want to win. So, what I try to say, is that tomorrow's game we want to win as well.
"What's coming up at the end of May, at that time we will see. We still take these games seriously, even though we have the Champions League and the FA Cup coming up.
"The league is very serious for us. As long as it's possible for us, then we go on. The pressure is more on Liverpool than us in terms of Manchester United and the title.
"Mathematically it's possible. In February we had to make sure we qualified for next year's Champions League, but you cannot just be satisfied with that being such a big club.
"Everybody has done what is expected of him, so you push your targets higher. We are doing that. If you'd told us in February that we'd be playing in the FA Cup final on May 30, people would have raised eyebrows."
Chelsea's season is reaching an exciting climax but Hiddink is refusing to rest some of his key players as they chase glory on three fronts.
The Dutchman is without Deco and Jose Bosingwa for Wednesday's home clash with the Toffees but he is keeping a close watch on the fitness levels of his squad - both mentally and physically.
"I'm very informed by my eye and the eyes of Ray Wilkins as well as by the staff who provide the data and the information on players, to make sure no player gets into an over-load situation," explained Hiddink.
"Physical fatigue has lots to do with mental fatigue. The body can do a lot of things, but the mental part can obstruct the body.
"But it depends on a player's character, too. Some say they feel 'top' because they like to play, and it's better for me to protect them. Others you have to push a bit harder."
