A
Alexander Nevsky
Гостин
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 over taking over as manager after the Barclays Premier League club sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari.
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.
"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 in this situation if I could."
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.
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.
However, the Dutchman remains 'focused' on the task of leading Russia to the 2010 World Cup according to his representative Cees van Nieuwenhuizen.
'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.
'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.'
Hiddink confirmed he had not heard from Chelsea.
'Right now I am preparing for dinner with the squad and don't want to think about where or what people are saying about me or what the bookmakers believe,' he said.
'I've heard about Scolari's departure, but there have been no calls from Chelsea. And as you know, I never comment on rumours - it serves no point or purpose.'
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.'
