Hiddink on list of heavyweights linked with Chelsa

Guus Hiddink will talk to Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich over the managerial vacancy at the club following the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari, his agent said Tuesday.

Hiddink already knows Abramovich through his role as Russia coach, a job on which he remains “focused”, his representative Cees van Nieuwenhuizen said.

But while Hiddink and former manager Avram Grant are, according to Sky Sports, the only candidates on Chelsea’s list, the Sun tabloid said that AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti remained a long-term target for the Londoners.

Russian businessman Abramovich has has reportedly dipped into his own pocket to the tune of five million dollars to fund Hiddink’s salary as Russia manager.

And while Hiddink is determined to see through the task of leading Russia to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, the well-travelled Dutchman would take a call from the Chelsea owner.

“I think because of the personal relationship he has with Mr Abramovich he will definitely talk to him and listen to him but I think Mr Abramovich realises he also he has not finished his job (with Russia),” van Nieuwenhuizen told BBC radio.

“I think that Guus and Mr Abramovich know each other well enough — he’s not going to say he is not going to talk to (Abramovich) and he is not going to listen.

“He is focused on his job with Russia, he is with the team on a training camp in Turkey and he is looking forward to qualifying with Russia for the World Cup.”

Scolari, who guided Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, was sacked Monday after Chelsea had slipped down the table to fourth place in the Premier League and seven points behind leaders Manchester United.

Assistant manager Ray Wilkins, a former Chelsea captain, was then placed in caretaker charge of the Blues and whether anyone else if, as the Sun suggested, Abramovich really is set on bringing in Ancelotti at the end of the season, will want to be in temporary control remains to be seen.

Chelsea, who have had one Dutch manager in their recent past in Ruud Gullit, could have another in his old international team-mate Frank Rijkaard.

Former Barcelona coach Rijkaard has been out of work since leaving the Nou Camp, where he twice won La Liga and led Barca to the Champions League in 2006, since last year and so has the merit of being able to be appointed quickly.

However, his agent stressed Rijkaard would not be interested in any kind of temporary role.

“(Frank) is obviously a big fan of the game and a big fan of the Premier League so he can be interested in working in the Premier League,” Perry Overeem told Sky Sports News.

“He would consider every serious job offer from one of the major teams in Europe and obviously Chelsea and the Premier League is one of those.

“It all depends on the plans (Chelsea have). It would be a fairly long-term plan, not just for one or one-and-a-half seasons.”

Press reports have also linked former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini with the job.

Meanwhile Grant, who also has a good relationship with Abramovich, is reportedly in contention to return as a caretaker boss until the end of the season after being dismissed by the Blues last year.