The reigning Russia boss only agreed to a contract extension up
to mid-2010 as recently as on March 24. But the newspaper reports
that the deal is only a provisional one, much to Hiddink’s
frustration, and will only be ratified after the European
Championship – obviously only in case the Russians do well.
The Guardian goes to reveal that Chelsea have been
secretly talking to Hiddink, who may have denied these negotiations
time and again in recent months, but is perhaps not feeling too
secure in Russia these days.
“We will evaluate his work after the European Championship,”
said recently Vitaly Mutko (pictured on the left), head of the
Russian Football Union and newly-appointed sports minister.
Striking detail? Hiddink’s salary, a reported 2.5 million euros
plus bonuses, is actually funded by Abramovich via his National
Academy of Football.
Hiddink was introduced to the Russian tycoon by fellow Dutchman
Piet de Visser, a Chelsea (and ex-PSV Eindhoven, one of Hiddink’s
former clubs) scout and widely considered as Abramovich’s close
personal transfer advisor.