Chelsea dismiss Hiddink link

Chelsea insist Roman Abramovich has no plans to bring Dutchman Guus Hiddink to Stamford Bridge as manager.

Media reports from Holland had linked Hiddink with a move to Chelsea but the Blues have made it clear that billionaire owner Abramovich is not preparing a move for the Russia manager

Abramovich's office issued a statement in Russia in response to the speculation and Chelsea insist the situation remains unchanged.

A Chelsea statement read:  "Information that Mr Abramovich is preparing to, or already has, offered Gus Hiddink a management post at Chelsea is untrue.

"On the contrary, Mr Abramovich is very pleased the Russian Football Union has offered to renew Mr Hiddink's contract until 2010.

"Thanks to Mr Hiddink the Russian national team has become more exciting and solid, giving hope for achieving serious success on both the European and international levels."

Earlier today Chelsea had confirmed first-team coach Avram Grant's plans to strengthen his backroom team.

Grant, basking in Chelsea's impressive Champions League victory away to Valencia, is considering appointing a foreign assistant coach to work alongside Steve Clarke.

Reports in Holland suggesting that Ajax boss Henk ten Cate is the person Grant has in mind and has met with Chelsea technical director Frank Arnesen.

A separate Chelsea statement read: "Chelsea first-team coach Avram Grant has made it publicly clear several times that he intends to strengthen his backroom team in addition to his assistant coach Steve Clarke.

"One of the scenarios Avram is considering is a team containing a British assistant coach in Steve and a foreign assistant coach, a system the first team are already familiar with."

Hiddink for his part has always been quick to play down links with Stamford Bridge and only last week was quoted as saying he had told Abramovich he wanted to concentrate on getting the national team to the Euro 2008 finals.

Russia are two points behind second-placed England in Group E with three games left and face Steve McClaren's side in Moscow in two weeks.

Hiddink's current deal with the Russian Football Federation is understood to expire next year but the Dutchman has previously said he was going to extend it until 2010 whether or not they qualified for next year's major tournament.