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Hiddink linked with Ivory Coast job after Halihodzic
sacking
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Vahid Halihodzic failed to take the favored
Ivory Coast to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations last month.
Photo: cnn.com
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The Ivory Coast have reportedly sacked coach Vahid Halilhodzic
despite the Bosnian having guided the African team to this year's World
Cup finals.
Russia coach Guus Hiddink is among the favorites to take over for football's
showpiece tournament starting in June, according to a report from the
British Press Association which was carried on the Web site of world ruling
body FIFA on Saturday.
It said the 57-year-old Halihodzic, who took charge in 2008, had been
axed after the Ivorians failed to live up to their favorite status at
the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola last month and lost in the quarterfinals
to Algeria.
"This Saturday I brought Vahid Halilhodzic's contract to an end because
one of the aims that was set for him was not reached and that was to win
the 2010 African Nations Cup," Cote d'Ivoire football federation
president Jacques Anouma reportedly said on national television.
Hiddink's contract with Russia expires on June 30, two weeks after the
finals start, and he has a free period before taking over the reigns with
Turkey in August.
The Dutchman was also linked with the vacant Nigeria coaching role, which
subsequently went to former Sweden manager Lars Lagerback, who signed
a five-month contract on Friday.
Hiddink recently revealed to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that Ivory Coast
striker Didier Drogba, who played for him in a brief spell while coaching
English club Chelsea, had sounded him out about taking the job.
"The interest from Ivory Coast is real, but first I have to analyze
the situation," Hiddink said. "I need to solve some matters
before making my decision.
"Drogba asked me in the name of the players to accept the invitation.
The Ivorian federation is also very interested."
CNN,
February 28, 2010
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