Hiddink signs Russia contract

Friday, 14, Apr 2006 06:58

Guus Hiddink has been confirmed as Russia's new head coach after signing a two-year contract.

The PSV Eindhoven and Australia boss had been initially linked with the England manager's job but he has put pen to paper on a £2.8 million deal which will start on July 9th.

Russia failed to qualify for June's World Cup under erstwhile coach Yuri Semin, while Hiddink guided Australia to the competition's final stages by beating Uruguay on penalties.

He explained the rebuilding process would involve the co-operation and co-ordination of several parties.

"I'm powerless to make anything without the help of Russian coaches, players and officials," he said.

"Me alone is not a guarantee of success. I don't think about my reputation at all. I'm here to help the Russian football team to regain its former success.

"I'd like to establish close contacts with the coaches and players of Russian clubs and we'll be able to decide together how to create the strongest squad.

"The main thing for me is to create the backbone of the team, not only in the technical and tactical sense but also in the individual sense."

Hiddink was a hero in South Korea when he took the national team to the semi-finals of their home World Cup in 2006.

His impressive CV was the reason he had been linked to the England job, which bookmakers are now predicting will go to Middlesbrough boss Steve McLaren.