Hiddink lined up for Chelsea job

Russia coach Guus Hiddink is in line to become the new manager of Chelsea as talks with the Dutchman continue.

Hiddink will take charge for the rest of the season after the Russian Football Association said they would allow the 62-year-old to do both jobs.

Hiddink, who is friends with the Blues' Russian owner Roman Abramovich, has hinted a temporary move would suit him.

"If it was any other club my answer would be a straight 'no', but Chelsea is different," said Hiddink.

One British bookmaker has already paid out on Hiddink taking the reins at Stamford Bridge within the next 48 hours.

Hiddink, who is contracted until the end of the 2010 World Cup, said his commitment to Russia was still as firm as ever.

"I have good relations with Roman Abramovich. I would like to help them if I could," he added.

"This would only be for the next two or three months until the end of the season. I will not leave my job with the Russian national team. It's out of the question.

"When I took the Russia job it was a long-term project and I don't like to leave it unfinished."

Russia have two World Cup qualifiers over the course of the rest of the Premier League season - at home to minnows Azerbaijan on 28 March and away to Liechtenstein four days later.

Hiddink has the extensive club and international experience Abramovich is searching for, having coached PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid as well as the Netherlands, South Korea and Australia.

And the Dutchman insists that once again juggling both club and international commitments would not be a problem.

"I have already done that a couple of years ago when I was coaching Australia and PSV, so I'm familiar with the situation and what it takes," said Hiddink, who is in Turkey for a training camp with the Russia squad.

Billionaire Abramovich, who agreed a compensation package with Scolari and his backroom staff on Tuesday evening, was instrumental in Hiddink's appointment as Russia manager in 2006, and the pair have since maintained close ties.

And it seems that the opportunity to bring the Dutchman to Chelsea has now fallen at the right time for all parties, as Hiddink's contract does not prevent him from undertaking two jobs.

"In his contract there isn't any point on which he can't combine two posts, so he can do it. But right now the ball is in Chelsea's court because they must make him some offer. We think that he can do it but now it's his decision," a Football Union of Russia (FUR) spokesman told the BBC.

Earlier, Chelsea confirmed that they had been given permission to talk with Hiddink about taking over from Scolari, adding their "thanks to the FUR" for the co-operation.

The Blues travel to Championship strugglers Watford in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, and plan for Hiddink to be in place in time for the game - though current first-team coach Ray Wilkins will be in charge if a deal has not been finalised.

Hiddink warned talks were still at a formative stage when asked if he could combine both high-profile jobs, telling Russian newspaper Sport Express: "You correctly use the word 'if'.

"I can't rule out that option but it is at the stage of being examined. If everything is organised properly, a move to London could happen. I'll be able to give you a final answer in a few days."

Hiddink's appointment would cap a momentous few days for the Blues, who sacked Scolari after just seven months in charge, on Monday.

However, Dutch journalist Rob Fleur warned there will definitely be more upheaval in the summer, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: "Guus will only do it to the end of the season.