Hiddink dismisses Blues job link

Russia coach Guus Hiddink has ruled out the possibility of him taking over as manager of Chelsea.

Hiddink has been linked with replacing the sacked Avram Grant as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is Russian.

But Hiddink said: "I have just given my word to the Russian football president and he to me that we will continue until the end of the 2010 World Cup.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the Dutchman added that he had not spoken to Chelsea about the job.

"Everyone is speculating because a deal [with the Russian FA] is not signed officially," said Hiddink as he prepares his side for Euro 2008.

"But what is more important to me is that there is an agreement between the president and me.

"I have not spoken to Chelsea regarding the vacant job, but every now and then I have contact with Abramovich about the development of Russian football. That is my only contact."

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Hiddink says he has not discussed who he think should take over as manager with Abramovich but has backed countryman Frank Rijkaard, who left Barcelona at the end of the past campaign.

"I know him personally very well," said Hiddink, who brought Rijkaard in as his assistant at the 1998 World Cup.

"I think he could fit in very well in the [Chelsea] philosophy," he told Sportsweek.

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