Soccer

Hiddink plays down talk of Chelsea return

Soccer: Guus Hiddink has revealed he is still in touch with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich but the Dutchman has no plans to …

Mon Nov 21 2011 - 00:00

Soccer:Guus Hiddink has revealed he is still in touch with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich but the Dutchman has no plans to make a swift return to football after leaving his post as Turkey coach. Hiddink had his contract terminated by the Turkish Football Federation by mutual consent last week after they failed to qualify for Euro 2012.

Reports in England were quick to speculate that would lead to a return to Stamford Bridge — Hiddink led the club in a caretaker capacity in 2009 and guided them to FA Cup success. That talk intensified following Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool yesterday, which increased the pressure on Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas, but 65-year-old Hiddink’s short-term plan is to take some time off.

Asked if he had received an offer from Chelsea, Hiddink, speaking before yesterday’s game, told RT: “No, I was contracted to the Turkish Federation at the time. The relationship (with Abramovich) was and has been and will be very good. When I go to London, I am always welcome at Cobham (Chelsea’s training ground) and the stadium.

“We don’t speak every week but every now and then there is contact and I feel very welcome always. I will take some time off and we will see what the future brings.

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“I have made a decision to stop the previous job and then one must take some time to reflect and look where there is a prestigious project, not just football but also through other things where I can help somewhere.

“I haven’t agreed anything with anyone because I was in Turkey, that’s why I will take my time to settle down and reflect on what to do. Whether it’s nothing because I am 65 and can retire but I feel I have enough energy to go on and what the future brings we will see.”

Hiddink has also been linked with a return to Russia — he coached the national team from 2006 to 2010, combining briefly the role with his work at Chelsea — to link up with big-spending Anzhi Makhachkala.

“There is deep affection from my side and frequent contact with all kinds of people in Russia which I like very much,” he said. “I have heard it (Anzhi’s project) from the outside but it is a prestigious project. I like the project because there must be a good football team. It’s not just football, it’s nice for a region (Dagestan) which is still living in poverty.”