Report: Hiddink all set for Chelsea director role

Guus Hiddink could be installed as Chelsea's new technical director as early as next month, according to reports.

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The Dutchman's future is the subject of intense speculation after he failed to guide Russia to the World Cup finals thanks to a play-off defeat by Slovenia.

His contract as head coach of Russia runs until June 2010 but sources close to Hiddink claim he will end his deal to return to Stamford Bridge.

The 63-year-old had a successful spell in charge of Chelsea last season, filling the void after Luiz Felipe Scolari's departure in January. He led them to second in the Premier League behind Manchester United and won the FA Cup.

Hiddink left the club on good terms with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who also plays a large role in the funding of Russia's national team.

Any role at Stamford Bridge is likely not to intefere directly with Carlo Ancelotti's running of the team, who are five points clear at the top of the Premier League after Saturday's 4-0 mauling of Wolves.

A source close to Hiddink said: "He would go back and would be in position [to assist] if something is going not that well. The Chelsea players like him. He's already been at the club. There is a proverb in Russian that you can step twice into the same water. It is something he is capable of."

Ancelotti said at his press conference ahead of the Wolves game: "Guus Hiddink is my friend. If he has free time, he can come to Chelsea and we can train together. It's not a problem." Jokingly, he added: "Maybe I could take a little holiday."

Hiddink would have to fit into a structure at Chelseas that recently saw Frank Arnesen crowned sporting director after Peter Kenyon's exit as chief executive. Hiddink told Russia's Sovietsky Sport newspaper: "I think my future will be decided relatively quickly."