Hiddink rules out contract extension

New Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink ruled out any possibility of extending his short-term contract with the English Premier League side beyond the end of the season. Dutchman Hiddink, 62, who took over from Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari last week, is also...

New Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink ruled out any possibility of extending his short-term contract with the English Premier League side beyond the end of the season.

Dutchman Hiddink, 62, who took over from Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari last week, is also in charge of the Russian national team attempting to qualify for next year's World Cup.

"I will help out until the end of the season, only to the end of the season," Hiddink told his first news conference at Stamford Bridge.

Hiddink's first match in charge will be Saturday's away game against Aston Villa, who are two points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea in the league.

Hiddink said Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich had asked him to help out until the end of the season.

"I have my full-time commitment with the Russian federation which I will fulfill," he said. "I will go back in March and also at the end of May."

Russia play World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan on March 28, Liechenstein on April 4, followed by Finland on June 6.

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