Hiddink cool on England prospects

By Simon Austin

Hiddink was sounded out by the FA 18 months' ago

Guus Hiddink says he is almost certain to remain as Russia coach until 2010, but has not ruled out the possibility of becoming England's new manager.

The Dutchman is due to hold talks with the Russian Football Union about extending his contract beyond 2008.

His agent, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, told BBC Sport: "I am almost sure, like 95 or 99%, that Guus will stay in Russia.

"But if he doesn't, I think he will look for a job in another federation on the way to World Cup 2010."

Hiddink is contracted to Russia until the end of the 2008 European Championships.

Russian FA chief Vitaly Mutko has publicly stated his desire for the Dutchman to stay on until 2010, and Hiddink has said he would like to sign a new deal.

He has a good working relationship with the people in the Russian Federation and is more than happy in what he is doing Cees van Nieuwenhuizen Hiddink's agent

Van Nieuwenhuizen said: "Guus likes what he is doing in Russia. We have agreed to sit down and have discussions over some minor changes to the proposed agreement.

"Those are not big things you would expect them to say no to. It's not like we're asking for double the money.

"We have decided to sit down somewhere soon and least finish everything before January 1st next year.

"Guus has made clear already that he wants to stay and the Russian Federation said they want him to stay.

"He has a good working relationship with the people in the Russian Federation and is more than happy in what he is doing."

Van Nieuwenhuizen said his client had not been contacted by the Football Association and, in any case, would not speak to them until his negotiations with Russia had finished.

"I guess he would consider that not to be fair to the Russians," Van Nieuwenhuizen said.

"I think it would be fair to finalise first the discussions with the people of the Russian Federation.

"Just in case that would not come to a good end - although everyone is expecting that it would - it's a new situation."

Meanwhile, sources close to Jose Mourinho have played down British newspaper stories that he is eager to talk to the FA about the England job.

Newspaper reports on Wednesday claimed Mourinho had said he was prepared to talk to the Football Association.

But sources in Portugal have told the BBC that Mourinho has not made any public comment about the England job.

He would be a popular choice to replace Steve McClaren because of his record of success with Chelsea and Porto.