Football Talk - Hiddink confirms Chelsea approach - 11/02/09
Russia manager Guus Hiddink has confirmed that he has been approached to take over as Chelsea manager until the end of the season. The Premier League club made a move for the Dutchman after sacking Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday.
Hiddink, 62, who has close links with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, said: "If it was any other club my answer would be a straight 'No'. But Chelsea is different because I have good relations with the owner. I would like to help them if I could."
However, Hiddink stressed he would not be giving up his duties with Russia and is fully committed to helping the team qualify for the 2010 World Cup. "This would only be for the next two or three months until the end of the season," he said. "I will not leave my job with the Russian national team. It's out of the question. When I took the Russia job it was a long-term project and I don't like to leave it unfinished."
Hiddink insists combining both club and international duties would be a problem having previously undertaken dual roles in the past. "I have already done that a couple of years ago when I was coaching Australia and PSV, so I'm familiar with the situation and what it takes," said Hiddink.
Chelsea owner Abramovich played an instrumental role in hiring Hiddink as Russia manager in 2006.
