Hiddink: "Rijkaard for Chelsea"

The Russian coach has declared that he will stay with Russia until 2010 World Cup. He informed that although an official agreement has not been signed, he has agreed with the president of the federation to stay.

"Everyone is speculating because it is not signed officially but there is an agreement between the president of the Russian Federation and me to continue."

He also said that he had not been contacted by Chelsea asking him to be their manager. "The only contact I have had with Chelsea has been with (Roman) Abramovich about the development of Russian football."

He said that Frank Rijkaard is the best man Chelsea could get. Rijkaard had been his assistant at the 1998 World Cup in France. "He could fit very well in this philosophy. He is a very open person to the people he is working closely with."

The frontrunners for the job at Chelsea were Hiddink, Rijkaard and Mourinho. Now that Mourinho has agreed a three-year deal with Inter and Hiddink staying with the Russians, it is more likely that Rijkaard will be appointed as the new Chelsea boss.