Former caretaker Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has been confirmed as the Anzhi Makhachkala manager, which will take the pressure of current Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas.
After a poor couple of performances by the Blues which saw them slip up in the English Premier League to the fifth spot, there were reports linking Hiddink with a return to Chelsea. It was Hiddink who took over from Scolari when the Brazilian was sacked
mid-season.
The Dutchman did well with the Blues in his three months with them, leading Chelsea to an FA Cup win in a season where everything seemed lost. It was believed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 owner Roman Abramovich, who happens to be a friend of Hiddink, would bring back the former
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Turkey-c3026 national team manager to Stamford Bridge.
However, that no longer seems a possibility as Hiddink has taken charge of Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala on a year and a half contract. In addition to being manager of the club, Hiddink has also been appointed the vice-president of the club.
Hiddink said while speaking to reporters:
“At the end of last year we had long discussions with Anzhi and that's why I have now made a prompt decision.
I'm glad to accept such an opportunity, to work not only with the football team but also with my friends who invited me here.”
According to the 65-year-old, he was now focused on the development and success of the Russian club and was not to be sidetracked by any other project. He revealed he planned on making the ambitious Russian club into one of the biggest in Europe.
He revealed:
“The most significant thing for me is that the club is building plans on football development in the republic.
It's just as important as the sporting results of the first team, and I'm going to pay special attention to this direction.”
According to Hiddink, he had spoken to the owner of Makhachkala Suleiman Kerimov after which he had decided to partake in the grand project.
The Dutchman continued:
“I know about the ambitions of the stockholder, the club, fans - now it's known to the whole world. I'll do my best so that the team's play will satisfy these ambitions.”
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