Source: Daily_Mail
Guus Hiddink's agent 'has spoken to Liverpool' about replacing Benitez
Guus Hiddink's agent last night suggested he had been approached by Liverpool.The claim would cast serious doubts over the future of beleaguered Anfield manager Rafa Benitez.[LNB]Cees van Nieuwenhuizen confirmed that Turkey were interested in appointing former Chelsea manager, but said they were just one of nine suitors for his client.[LNB]'I have spoken with representatives of four clubs and five national federations,' Van Nieuwenhuizen told Sovetskiy Sport.[LNB]All points north: Hiddink is keen to return to England[LNB]'Almost all of the options have previously been mentioned in the press - Manchester City, Liverpool, Juventus, etc.[LNB]'However, as I have repeatedly said, we have not held talks with anyone. [LNB]'To all we have said that there must first be talks with the new president of Russian FA and to know his position on the future.'[LNB]Hiddink rejected an approach by City before Roberto Mancini was appointed at Eastlands a month ago because the timing was not right.[LNB]But the 63-year-old recently admitted he was keen to work again in England, provided it was with the blessing of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.[LNB]The Russian FA elect a president on February 3, but former Zenit St Petersburg president Sergey Fursenko is a shoo-in and Hiddink is keen to hold talks with him in the next few days.[LNB]Fursenko has broken his silence to say Hiddink should remain in his post at least until the end of his contract in mid-July, if not beyond. But Hiddink is still waiting for face-to-face talks with his would-be boss.[LNB]'Guus is ready to fly to Moscow at any time,' said Van Nieuwenhuizen. 'He is currently in Amsterdam, because in Russia at this time, no one plays football, and at the Russian FA, nothing happens because they are waiting for a new president. [LNB]Having a ball: Hiddink could face Andrey Arshavin in the Premier League[LNB]'Guus is waiting for an invitation from Mr Fursenko, who for sure will become the new head of the Russian FA. [LNB]'There is a vital work, such as preparing for the friendly matches on March 3 and in late May. And in between these tasks he can ask the new head of the Russian FA and about whether he intends to continue cooperating with Hiddink.'[LNB]Turkey are believed to have offered to pay Hiddink a staggering £7million a year after having two offers knocked back since before Christmas.[LNB]Hiddink's salary with Russia is £6.25m a year after tax, already exceeding the wage of England manager Fabio Capello, whose £6m a year will make him the highest-paid coach at the World Cup this summer.[LNB]But Van Nieuwenhuizen said: 'Hiddink has already received better financial proposes than hereceives now with the Russia team, but we are not discussing them allthe same. [LNB]'The coach has an employer. Hiddink will fulfill his contract with Russia and then everything depends on negotiations with the future president of the FA.'[LNB]Van Nieuwenhuizen was keen to stress that no option was being discounted and he rejected any suggestion that Hiddink is too old to return to club management.[LNB]'It all depends on how a club is organised,' said the agent. 'For example, if the model is like Manchester United and Alex Ferguson, then Guus would be interested.[LNB]'After all, Sir Alex is not so much a coach at his club than a manager or technical director, identifying the club's transfer policy and organising the entire workforce.[LNB]'Ferguson does not even attend first-team training every day. This is a well-known fact! [LNB]'But Sir Alex is older than Guus. So I can easily imagine Hiddink leading a serious European club under such a model. [LNB]'But for now I see no point in speculating about it, because Guus's contract with the Russian FA is until the summer and perhaps it will be extended.'[LNB]Under pressure: Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez[LNB]Benitez goes into tonight's match against Tottenham Hotspur under increasing pressure to turn around Liverpool's fortunes.[LNB]Although Javier Mascherano yesterday said the manager should not be blamed for the club's poor form, Benitez is in danger of losing the support of supporters at Anfield.[LNB]Liverpool have won just six of their last 22 matches in all competitions and would be seven points adrift of fourth spot if they lost tonight.[LNB] Guus Hiddink targeted for Turkey job as Russia call for Dutchman to stayLiverpool's moment of truth: We can't afford to lose against Spurs, says Rafa BenitezWithout a league win at Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool in 16 years - it's time for Spurs to put up or shut upLIVERPOOL FC
