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Hiddink in frame for Chelsea job

Guus Hiddink won the FA Cup during a three-month spell as Chelsea boss in 2009 © Getty Images

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Turkey manager Guus Hiddink and Porto coach Andres Villas-Boas are among the early frontrunners to succeed ousted Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea parted company with Ancelotti, who won the Premier League and FA Cup Double last season, just hours after Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Everton following a disappointing second season with the Blues.

Hiddink, who won the FA Cup during a three-month spell as temporary Chelsea boss in 2009, is still in contact with Blues owner Roman Abramovich in an advisory role and is widely reported to be top of the Russian's wanted list.

Abramovich reportedly wants Hiddink to head up a back room staff that includes former Ajax coach Marco van Basten and Chelsea hero Gianfranco Zola. If Van Basten comes on board Hiddink is expected to assume a role as director of football to help guide the young coach.

Hiddink's agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen is aware of the reports and left the door ajar by suggesting a club role could appeal to his client.

"I don't know that you can say that," Van Nieuwenhuizen said in response to questions that Hiddink was looking for a director of football role rather than a coaching post. "He is focusing on his job and he likes what he is doing.

"He said also in his column on Saturday in De Telegraaf, the Dutch newspaper, that as long as he is in the race for the European Championship with Turkey, he would continue to focus on that.

"Once that is finished, he will start thinking about his future."

Hiddink is currently under contract with Turkey until the end of their Euro 2012 campaign, but could be available after their next qualifier against Belgium on June 3.

Villas-Boas, who claimed the Europa League and Portuguese title in his first season with Porto, has insisted that he is happy in Portugal, but 'the new Jose Mourinho' has long been linked with Chelsea.

Hiddink is already considering offers from Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, both of which are roles upstairs, and while he is yet to clarify his future the Dutchman has revealed he has maintained links with Abramovich.

"It works well with Chelsea. Since I left two years ago I've been advising the club on things concerning the squad," he wrote in De Telegraaf. "Sometimes I become a sounding board. It costs me very little time and I can combine it well with my position with Turkey. There is no conflict at all."

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