Hiddink To Take Over Russia After World Cup

One of the hottest topics of conversation in the football world has been put to bed overnight with current Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink to coach Russia after the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ finals in Germany.

One of the hottest topics of conversation in the football world has been put to bed overnight with current Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink to coach Russia after the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ finals in Germany.

Hiddink, with the Dutch Eredivisie title secured for his PSV Eindhoven side on the weekend, confirmed on Dutch TV that he will link with Russia once his commitments to Australia have finished.

Football Federation Australia, Head of High Performance Mr John Boultbee, said that Hiddink had informed them some time ago his preference was to stay in Europe, which didn-t suit the FFA-s long-term plans.

"Guus informed us some time ago that he was looking at several offers for after the World Cup,” said Boultbee. “In terms of full time involvement he had a very strong preference to continue to live in Europe and full time involvement with Australia would mean spending longer periods away from Europe than he preferred."

"So we have known for some time that it was not going to work after the World Cup and have put steps in place for the future - not an easy task."

Boultbee is not concerned by the timing of Hiddink-s decision and believes with the speculation now over that his focus will now be on taking Australia as far into the World Cup finals as possible.

"Our focus and Guus' focus is squarely on the next three months. He is in constant contact with us about the detailed planning for the World cup campaign and the direction in great detail that he is giving us continues to underline to us what great value Guus is to us. There is no feeling that he is letting the pressure off, or has his mind anywhere but on the task at hand."

"He has also worked to develop our own national coaches - all the coaching staff who had been working with Frank Farina last year have remained working with Guus and have drawn a lot out of him, and continue to do so."

"If they finalise the deal then Russia are very lucky to have snared Guus for the next four years just as we are extremely fortunate to have him for the next three months. He is Aussie Guus rather than Ruski Guus for a few months yet!"

As for life after Hiddink, especially with important Asian Cup qualifiers recommencing in August, Boultbee said that plans are well underway and progressing.

"Our coaching plans beyond July are still very much a work in progress, but we are in a very good position with Graham Arnold and possibly Johan Neeskens carrying on Guus' legacy at least for the time being."

Hiddink meanwhile was pleased to get the decision out of the way after all the recent media attention that had him linked with the vacant England, South Africa, Real Madrid and Russian positions.

“I'm glad that this is off my chest now,' said Hiddink. “If all the final details in my private life are settled as planned the deal will be sealed.”

“I have been to Russia already to look at things and I already know that it will be fun to work there. They have some young players with a great future, as far as I can tell now.

“I will live in Amsterdam and fly to Russia whenever it's needed. That could be for a period of several weeks or just for a few days.”