The English football club Chelsea have been granted permission by Russia to speak to national team coach Guus Hiddink about becoming their temporary manager.
The position is vacant after Chelsea sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari yesterday.
Hiddink already knows Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich through his role as Russia coach.
It appears both parties would be happy for Hiddink to take control of Chelsea just for the remainder of the season as the Dutchman is focussed on leading Russia to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Media reports have also linked AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini and ex-Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard with the Chelsea job.
The club's former manager Avram Grant, who also has a good relationship with Abramovich, is reportedly in contention to return as a caretaker manager until the end of the season after being dismissed by the Blues last year.
