Guus Hiddink not part of the 2010 World Cup? Not possible.
Right on cue, Didier Drogba reportedly reaches out to his old boss through a personal call to find out his availability for the Elephants coaching job. Time for the Cleaner to move in and administer his shock therapy.
The Ivory Coast football federation made recent contact with the Dutchman at Loftus Road where the Ivory Coast lost to South Korea, 2-0 in a friendly.
Hiddink on his part will have to sandwich a World Cup venture between now and his Russia job terminating on 30th June. He takes over Turkey’s national team almost immediately.
He coached his last game on March 3rd when Russia held Hungary to a lethargic draw. The match appeared to be more of a sendoff for the coach.
The new head of the Russian Football Federation Sergei Furskenko later revealed that Hiddink would be leaving well before his contract end date. Accordingly, the Federation has canceled all spring and summer friendlies.
These are encouraging developments for the Ivory Coast in their Hiddink quest.
Russia has already made some Fabio Capello feelers for the 2012 European Cup but the Italian has indicated that he is not interested.
In his stead, Dick Advocaat, the AZ Alkmaar coach is now the favourite to lead Russia. Advocaat met with Fursenko during the recent European Cup draw at Warsaw. He has some solid Russia cred with his former association as coach of Zenit St Petersburg leading them to a UEFA Cup and Super Cup title.