Putting the squeeze on Guus: Hiddink (right) won't
join Ivory Coast, despite Didier Drogba's (left) sweet
talk
Guus Hiddink has turned down repeated appeals from Didier Drogba
to manage the Ivory Coast at this summer's World Cup finals in
South Africa.
The Dutchman, who managed Elephants striker Drogba at Chelsea,
is currently contracted to Russia but will move to take charge of
Turkey when his deal expires.
Both nations have failed to make this summer's finals and Drogba
lobbied Hiddink to request he would lead the Ivory Coast's Group G
campaign against Brazil, North Korea and Portugal.
But the 63-year-old turned down an offer following talks with
Ivory Coast football federation president Jacques Anouma.
He said in his column in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: 'Although I had a great
conversation with the federal president and chief executive Jacques
Anouma, I myself had already decided not to go. '
'It was a decision taken to avoid unnecessary confusion.
'Though I must admit that with the Ivory Coast it has not been
easy.'
Hiddink said Turkey's tour of North America in May would take
priority as it was necessary for him to assess the players before
taking up the job in August.
The Ivory Coast sacked Vahid Halilhodzic after a disappointing
African Nations Cup campaign and were under the guidance of acting
coach Kouadio Georges when they lost 2-0 to South Korea in a
friendly at Loftus Road earlier this month.