Hiddink cools Sneijder reports

Hiddink cools Sneijder reports

Published Jun. 12, 2011 9:15 a.m. ET

Hiddink remains odds-on to take charge at Stamford Bridge, following Carlo Ancelotti's sacking earlier this summer. Hiddink is currently in charge of Turkey, who he is trying to qualify for Euro 2012 with - although their FA president has insisted they will take action if he breaks his contract to move to Stamford Bridge. Despite constant refusals to confirm talks or contact with Chelsea, who he previously took charge of in 2009 - reports have suggested that targets have already been drawn up, with one of those being Inter Milan midfielder Sneijder. Sneijder has been strongly linked with the Blues and Manchester rivals United and City, but he has insisted he is more than happy with Inter Milan. And now Hiddink has stressed that he has not made contact with Chelsea about a proposed deal for his compatriot. "After the Belgium-Turkey game (last week) I went to South Korea. I did not go on holiday, I went to one of my projects in the country where I worked during the World Cup of 2002. I do a lot of work for charity there," he told De Telegraaf. "I am busy creating lots of pitches, in particular for handicapped people. "When I got back to Europe I was confronted with all sorts of stories, saying I had told Chelsea to sign Sneijder. "I am not making a fuss about any of the other stories, but I have to make it clear there has been no contact between the club and me in the last couple of weeks. "I have enough on my plate trying to get Turkey to the Euro finals.'' Fresh reports in England say that Chelsea owner has already pledged to give Hiddink a £150million transfer war-chest to use upon his appointment. However, the Turkish Football Federation has threatened to report Chelsea to Fifa if they push ahead with the chase of 64-year-old Hiddink. "Chelsea have a record of signing players while under contract," Turkish football president Mahmut Ozgener insisted. "If the same thing happens with Hiddink, we will make a file of the payments we made to Hiddink and we will go to FIFA." Ozegener also revealed that he was told that Hiddink informed the Turkey players that he would be leaving. "After the game with Belgium [on 3 June] I went into the dressing room and asked Hiddink what he would do. He replied that he would go to watch the Turkey B team and then fly to South Korea for a charity match," he said. "Afterwards, I learned he had told the players different things. You cannot come to Turkey and just leave when you want." Chelsea are yet to comment on whether they even have an interest in Hiddink, but the delay in sealing his appointment could become an issue if it is not resolved in the coming weeks.

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