|
Fears grow in Russia over Chelsea's attempts to lure
Hiddink away
By Matt Barlow
| |
|
|
Points to consider: Guus Hiddink is performing
a dual role (AP)
|
Andrei Kanchelskis fears for the future of Russia's promising
national team if Guus Hiddink is tempted to continue his work at Chelsea
into next season.
The Russian FA admit they are ready to discuss a deal to extend Hiddink's
dual role beyond the current agreement, which ends after the English season.
'I thought it was OK for him to go to Chelsea this season because the
English championship finishes at the end of May and it is not a big problem
for the people of Russia but it is important for him to come back,' said
former Russia and Manchester United winger Kanchelskis.
'I don't know if it is possible to do both jobs next season. If he is
Chelsea coach, there will be more pressure because they play every year
to win the Premier League and to win the Champions League.
'From Russia's point of view, we need to keep him. We have started our
qualification games well and the team understand everything he wants for
them.
'The team is playing better football. He has changed the mentality. They
are better organised and a little bit more relaxed.'
| |
|
|
Legend: Andrei Kanchelskis (dailymail.co.uk)
|
Hiddink's Russia, currently ranked eighth in the world,
are away to Liechtenstein tomorrow in a World Cup qualifier. They then
play Finland in June and complete the campaign with four games in the
autumn.
Kanchelskis said: 'We have a chance to win the World Cup but the important
time is at the end of May when we see what happens for the future of Russian
football.
'If Hiddink leaves it is a little bit different. There is a possibility
Russia may change the president of the Football Federation as well. These
changes will be difficult.'
Kanchelskis, 40, is now the general manager of Russian first division
club Nosta Novotroitsk and a great admirer of Hiddink as a coach.
He understands why Roman Abramovich wanted to lure the 62-year-old
Dutchman to Stamford Bridge to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari.
'Hiddink is a good person,' added Kanchelskis. 'He is open. He always
talks to the players and the press, not like Mourinho or Scolari.
'Mourinho is a more closed man with a big head. Hiddink
is different. He is a very good man. He has a good career. He has worked
with good teams.
'He is very popular and Chelsea is a popular team in Russia. A lot of
people in Russia love them.'
Dailymail.co.uk,
31st March 2009
|
