Source: Daily_Mail
I'm only interested because it's Chelsea - Hiddink opens talks with Blues over manager's job
Russia coach Guus Hiddink has revealed that he is in talks with Chelsea [LNB]over taking over as manager after the Barclays Premier League club sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari.[LNB]Hiddink said he was approached by the Premier League club to coach the team until the end of the season after Scolari was sacked yesterday.[LNB]'I have to admit it's a complicated situation involving the Russian national team and Chelsea," the Dutchman told Reuters in an exclusive interview.[LNB] Contender: Guus Hiddink is in the frame for the Chelsea job[LNB] TODAY'S POLL Who do you think should replace Scolari as the new manager of Chelsea?[LNB]VOTE POLL RESULTS Close[LNB] All polls[LNB]Click to view yesterday's poll results[LNB] He added that he has a special relationship with Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.[LNB]'I must say that this is an exceptional situation. If it was any other club aside from Chelsea my answer would be a straight "No",' he said.[LNB]'But Chelsea is different because I have good relations with the (club) owner. So I would like to help them (Chelsea) in this situation if I could.'[LNB]Asked if this would involve working as a consultant for Chelsea's coaching staff, Hiddink said: 'No, this would be a full managerial role, a day-to-day job.[LNB]'But this would only be for the next two or three months until the end of the season,' he added. Chelsea players want Zola and Clarke back at the Bridge as Blues prepare to name new boss in next 24 hours[LNB]Get me Guus: Chelsea owner Abramovich targets Hiddink after Scolari axe[LNB]'Lucky Guus' ticks all the right boxes for Abramovich and Chelsea[LNB]Performing seals are great at Abramovich's Chelsea - just so long as they win[LNB]HATCHET MAN: The vote of confidence means what it has always counted for...absolutely nothing[LNB]Who's next: Sportsmail's guide to who will replace Big Phil at Stamford Bridge[LNB]Where did it all go wrong! Results that cost Scolari his job[LNB]Chelsea's last four managers set to cost the club an amazing £40million[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB]'Of course when Russia would play (World Cup qualifiers) I would go there to coach them during that (international window) as there won't be any (league) games during that time.[LNB][LNB]'I have already done that (combining two jobs) a couple of years ago when I was coaching Australia and PSV (Eindhoven), so I'm familiar with the situation and what it takes.'[LNB] Blues brothers? Roman Abramovich (left) and Gus Hiddink take in Manchester United v Zenit in the UEFA Super Cup[LNB]Asked if he knew about Scolari's fate before the news was released, he said: 'Well, you have your contacts and I have mine.[LNB]'I did get a phone call from them (Chelsea management) and we discussed the situation but we haven't come to a final decision just yet.[LNB]'But the situation can change any day or even any hour."[LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... DID BIG PHIL SCOLARI DESERVE TO GET THE SACK AT CHELSEA? Luiz Felipe Scolari has been fired by Chelsea after 36 games at the helm. Yet, the Brazilian only lost six matches, and one of those was on penalties! Do you think it was time for Big Phil to go? Or would you have given him more time?[LNB][LNB]TELL US WHAT YOU THINK[LNB] The Dutchman said before making any decisions he would discuss his future with Russian soccer chief Vitaly Mutko.[LNB]'I was planning to fly to Europe from Turkey at the end of the training camp (on Wednesday) but I can change that and I can go directly to Moscow to meet with Mutko,' he said.[LNB]'In any case, we'll meet in the next few days and will talk about the whole thing." [LNB]Hiddink also said he was fully committed to helping Russia to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.[LNB]'I will not leave my job with the Russian national team. It's out of the question,' he said.[LNB]'When I took the Russia job it was a long-term project and I don't like to leave it unfinished.'[LNB]Hiddink's agent said earlier today that he expected his client to speak to owner Roman Abramovich over the managerial vacancy at the London club.[LNB]Hiddink has been linked with the Chelsea job in the past and already has a relationship with the Blues' billionaire owner Abramovich through his role as Russia coach.[LNB] Sacked: Luiz Felipe Scolari[LNB]However, the Dutchman remains 'focused' on the task of leading Russia to the 2010 World Cup according to his representative Cees van Nieuwenhuizen.[LNB] [LNB]'I think because of the personal relationship he has with Mr Abramovich he will definitely talk to him and listen to him but I think Mr Abramovich realises he also he has not finished his job with Russia,' the agent told BBC Radio Four's Today programme.[LNB]LATIN BEAT BLOG: As Scolari joins the roll call of failures, why can't South American coaches make it in Europe? [LNB] 'I think that Guus and Mr Abramovich know each other well enough - he's not going to say he is not going to talk to Abramovich and he is not going to listen.'He is focused on his job with Russia, he is with the team on a training camp in Turkey and he is looking forward to qualifying with Russia for the World Cup.'The president of the Russian Football Association, Vitaly Mutko, added: 'Guus Hiddink has a valid contract that expires in 2010 and I have no doubt that he will see it through.'[LNB] Chelsea players want Zola and Clarke back at the Bridge as Blues prepare to name new boss in next 24 hours[LNB]Get me Guus: Chelsea owner Abramovich targets Hiddink after Scolari axe[LNB]'Lucky Guus' ticks all the right boxes for Abramovich and Chelsea[LNB]Performing seals are great at Abramovich's Chelsea - just so long as they win[LNB]HATCHET MAN: The vote of confidence means what it has always counted for...absolutely nothing[LNB]Who's next: Sportsmail's guide to who will replace Big Phil at Stamford Bridge[LNB]Where did it all go wrong! Results that cost Scolari his job[LNB]Chelsea's last four managers set to cost the club an amazing £40million[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB] [LNB]
