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Anzhi confirm Hiddink deal

Image: Guus Hiddink: Dutchman returning to club management in Russia

Guus Hiddink has signed an 18-month contract to manage Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala.

Dutchman takes charge of Russian top-flight side

Guus Hiddink has signed an 18-month contract to manage wealthy Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. Hiddink has been out of work since November when he stepped down as Turkey coach. The 65-year-old Dutchman will have a wide-ranging role at Anzhi, in charge of both the first team and overall development. "Today Guus Hiddink signed the contract. As well as the post of chief coach, Hiddink will also occupy the post as vice president of the club in charge of development," Anzhi said in a statement.

Opportunity

Hiddink is looking forward to his new challenge. "At the end of last year we had long discussions with Anzhi and that's why I have now made a prompt decision," he told the club's website, fc-anji.ru. "I'm glad to accept such an opportunity, to work not only with the football team but also with my friends who invited me here. "The most significant thing for me is that the club is building plans on football development in the republic. "It's just as important as the sporting results of the first team, and I'm going to pay special attention to this direction. "We spoke a lot with (club owner) Suleiman Kerimov about this, after which I understood what a huge project I was invited to. "I know about the ambitions of the stockholder, the club, fans - now it's known to the whole world. I'll do my best so that the team's play will satisfy these ambitions."
Capello link
His appointment ends speculation linking former England boss Fabio Capello with Anzhi. It also eases some of the pressure on Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, with club owner Roman Abramovich a long-term friend of Hiddink. Hiddink managed Chelsea to the FA Cup in 2009 on a caretaker basis and it had been suggested he could return if they decided to part company with Villas-Boas.

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