• Premier League

Hiddink 'was Chelsea's first choice'

ESPN staff
June 26, 2011
Guus Hiddink is set to carry on in his role as Turkey manager as they try to secure a place at Euro 2012 © PA Photos
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Guus Hiddink was Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's first choice to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge, according to Hiddink's agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen.

Last week, Chelsea took decisive action over the manager's job, appointing former Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas after meeting the 33-year-old's £13.3 million release clause.

But Van Nieuwenhuizen claims that Hiddink was approached first, with only his insistence on honouring his contract as Turkey manager preventing him from returning to Chelsea, where he won the FA Cup during a caretaker spell at the club in 2009.

"Every now and then they talk, they [Hiddink and Abramovich] see each other, and Guus would say: 'I have a contract so it's no use considering a position for me at Chelsea.' I think Abramovich has respected that position," said Van Nieuwenhuizen in the Observer.

"When he signed with Turkey he realised he would be in this position in principle through at least to the European Championship, so he's a professional.

"Massimo Moratti [Internazionale's president] also mentioned last week that he wanted Guus Hiddink. And Guus has already been connected in the past a couple of times, related to big clubs, not only Chelsea."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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