Report: Russia frees Hiddink
Monday 11 January, 2010
Reports in Russia suggest the country's Football Association has freed Guus Hiddink, allowing the Dutch tactician to replace Ciro Ferrara at Juventus.
The Bianconeri have been engulfed in crisis since December and were knocked out of the title race last night after they lost 3-0 at home to Milan.
Juventus have been repeatedly linked with Hiddink over the winter period with the Turin based newspaper Tuttosport even reporting that vice-general manager Roberto Bettega already has an agreement in place with the former Chelsea boss.
According to Russian website sports.life.ru, the Russian Football Association have accepted a request from Hiddink to train a club along side his duties as head of the national team.
“In line with principle, Hiddink can coach a club team. In the case of Chelsea there was a particular rapport with Roman Abramovich and we accepted the deal, but I don't believe that things will change in this case,” Vitaly Mutko, Russia's Minister of Sport, is quoted as saying.
La Gazzetta dello Sport understands the only condition would be that Hiddink renounces his pay for the duration of his time in club football.
This has been taken to mean that Juventus have in fact opened negotiations to hire Hiddink.
Juventus President Jean-Claude Blanc is expected to meet Bettega this afternoon to discuss the future.
source: football-italia