PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink has denied reaching an agreement with the Russian Football Association (RFU) to become their new national coach.
Hiddink said he had never spoken to RFU vice-president Nikita Simonyan, who yesterday told Dutch TV that Hiddink had been named as Russia’s new coach.
“It seems all a bit premature,” Hiddink told reporters.
“We had some contacts but not only with the Russian association, also with other associations.
“I never spoke with that men (Simonyan) and don’t know him. Put people before a camera and microphone and they will say these things, you can’t prevent that.”
“I expected this announcement earlier from a different side,” Hiddink added.
The RFU earlier withdrew their claim that Hiddink had agreed to take over.
“There was a misunderstanding. I have no information that Hiddink has been appointed Russia coach,” Simonyan told Reuters.
“I just said that it (Hiddink’s appointment) was widely reported by the Russian media but there has been no official statement on our part.”
Hiddink, who guided the Holland and South Korea to the World Cup semi-finals in 1998 and 2002, is currently combining coaching Dutch champions PSV with leading Australia at this summer’s tournament in Germany. He has also been linked with the England manager’s position which will be vacated by Sven Goran Eriksson after the World Cup finals.
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