Guus Hiddink has confirmed that he will become the next coach of Russia.
Hiddink will leave PSV Eindhoven at the end of the season and will take up his new role after completing his World Cup duties with Australia.
“I’m glad that this is off my chest now,” the Dutchman told television programme Holland Sport.
“I have been to Russia already to look at things and I already know that it will be fun to work there.”
Hiddink succeeds Yuri Semin – who quit last November after failing to guide them to the World Cup.
Hiddink was Holland coach when they made the last four in the 1998 World Cup and in 2002 he took the hosts South Korea to the semi-finals.
His coaching record at club and inetrnational level made Hiddink an early favourite to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as the next England boss.
However, a deal to take over the Russian national team now looks certain, although Hiddink did add a few details still had to be resolved.
“We are working out the final details of the contract and when that is finished I will join them,” he said.
“I will live in Amsterdam and fly to Russia whenever it’s needed – that could be for a period of several weeks or just for a few days.
“They have some young players with a great future, as far as I can tell now.”
Hiddink also admitted that he had spoke with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich about the job.
“Of course I spoke in the past with the Russians at Chelsea already,” he said.
“I spoke with Abramovich, who wants to help lift the Russian national team to a higher level.”
The announcement came just 24 hours after he had led PSV to their 19th league title.
Subscribe to World Soccer – The essential football magazine.
