Hiddink to leave as Russia coach
Sunday, 14 February 2010
AMSTERDAM, Feb 13 (AP): Guus Hiddink will leave as coach of Russia's national team when his contract expires on June 30, raising the prospect of him taking a job, with a number of suitors at club and national level.
Hiddink guided Russia to the semifinals of the 2008 European Championships but the team fell short of qualifying for this year's World Cup.
Hiddink wrote in a Dutch newspaper column that he had spoken with new Russian federation president Sergei Fursenko and "it was decided that we will part ways after the expiration of my contract on June 30."
"We decided this now in order to give the federation enough time to look for a successor," he wrote in De Telegraaf.
The Russian Football Union said the move was Hiddink's decision.
"Guus Hiddink took this difficult decision independently, and we are respectful of his choice," it said in a Web site statement, confirming the 63-year-old Dutchman will see his contract through.
Hiddink guided Russia to the semifinals of the 2008 European Championships but the team fell short of qualifying for this year's World Cup.
Hiddink wrote in a Dutch newspaper column that he had spoken with new Russian federation president Sergei Fursenko and "it was decided that we will part ways after the expiration of my contract on June 30."
"We decided this now in order to give the federation enough time to look for a successor," he wrote in De Telegraaf.
The Russian Football Union said the move was Hiddink's decision.
"Guus Hiddink took this difficult decision independently, and we are respectful of his choice," it said in a Web site statement, confirming the 63-year-old Dutchman will see his contract through.