Guus Hiddink insists he has received no contact from Chelsea regarding the vacant manager's seat.
Russian boss focusing on international development
Guus Hiddink insists he has received no contact from Chelsea regarding the vacant manager's seat at Stamford Bridge.
The Russia boss has been strongly linked to succeed Avram Grant after the Israeli was sacked last weekend as Chelsea ended the 2007/08 season without a trophy.
However, Hiddink - who is a friend of Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich - is adamant he has not discussed a possible switch to the Premier League.
Hiddink, who has part of his salary paid by Abramovich, claims his only focus is on preparing Russia for their Euro 2008 campaign and the forthcoming 2010 World Cup.
"Everyone is speculating because it is not signed officially but there is an agreement between the president of the Russian Federation and me to continue," Hiddink told
Sportsweek.
Intense
"The only contact I have had with Chelsea has been with Abramovich about the development of Russian football."
And Hiddink also admits he feels sympathy for Grant because of the intense pressure placed upon the former Blues boss.
"If they did not put so much pressure to get two or three cups every year, I would imagine they would start to play even better," Hiddink added.
Frank Rijkaard has also been linked with the Chelsea job after he left Barcelona at the end of last season.
And Hiddink has suggested that Rijkaard, who was his assistant for Holland in the 1998 World Cup, would cope with the intensity at Stamford Bridge.
"He could fit very well in this philosophy," Hiddink continued. "He is very open person to the people he is working closely with."
