Updated: Hiddink ready for Chelsea job

Guus Hiddink is in talks with Chelsea to take over as manager until the end of the season while continuing as Russia coach, he told Reuters.

Hiddink said he was approached by the Premier League club to coach the team after Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked yesterday.

"I have to admit it's a complicated situation involving the Russian national team and Chelsea," the Dutchman told Reuters in an exclusive interview at this Mediterranean resort during a training camp.

Chelsea issued a statement saying they had been granted permission by Russia's FA to speak to Hiddink about becoming their temporary coach.

Hiddink said he had a special relationship with Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

"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.

"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."

'MANAGERIAL ROLE'

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.

"But this would only be for the next two or three months until the end of the season," he added.

"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.

"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."

Hiddink also said he was fully committed to helping Russia to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.

LONG-TERM PROJECT

"I will not leave my job with the Russian national team. It's out of the question," he said.

"When I took the Russia job it was a long-term project and I don't like to leave it unfinished."

Asked if he knew about Scolari's fate before the news was released yesterday, he said: "Well, you have your contacts and I have mine.

"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.

"But the situation can change any day or even any hour."

The Dutchman said before making any decisions he would discuss his future with Russian soccer chief Vitaly Mutko.

"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.

"In any case, we'll meet in the next few days and will talk about the whole thing."

Chelsea's statement thanked the Russian FA for giving the west London club permission to talk to Hiddink.

PERMISSION GRANTED

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has officially approached the Russian Football Union (RFU) for permission to speak to Guus Hiddink to become the club's temporary coach until the end of the season while continuing to be in charge of the Russian national team," it said.

"That permission has been granted and Chelsea would like to thank the RFU for their co-operation."

Russia's national team camp was abuzz with the news and assistant coach Igor Korneev said: "It seems like every time there is a vacant coaching job at a big club, Hiddink's name comes up as a leading candidate.

"...it only shows that Guus is one of the world's top coaches and we are all glad that he is working here, helping this team. It only enhances the image of our team and Russian football as a whole."

One Russia player, who did not want to be identified, added: "He is the best coach we ever had and I think everyone would be saddened if he left.

"He has done what no one could achieve with this team for many, many years, like reaching the Euro 2008 semi-finals. But it's not only the results that count," he said.

"Guus was able to create a great atmosphere around the team, where everyone was pulling for each other... I don't think many coaches around the world can do what he has done here."