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Hiddink is seen as one of the best coaches in the world. AP/Press Association Images
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Villas-Boas' job safe for now as Hiddink joins Anzhi

The Dutchman has agreed to take the reigns of Russia’s wealthiest club on an 18-month contract.

IN-DEMAND MANAGER Guus Hiddink has agreed to become the new boss of Russian big-spenders Anzhi Makhachkala.

The 65-year-old has been out of a job since an unsuccessful stint with the Turkish national team ended last year and it is a major coup for the Dagestan-based club, as Hiddink had been linked with a number of high profile jobs in recent months.

Hiddink was caretaker manager at Chelsea for a short period after the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2009 and with Andre Villas Boas under increasing amounts of pressure to succeed, it was believed that Roman Abramovich was looking into bringing the Dutchman back to London.

The former PSV Eindhoven gaffer had also been mentioned as a possible replacement for Fabio Capello, who stepped down from his England post just last week.

Capello himself had talks with Anzhi recently but today it was confirmed that Hiddink has signed a contract with them until the end of next season and is set to link up with the likes of Samule Eto’o, Yuri Zhirkov and Roberto Carlos.

“At the end of last year we had long discussions with Anzhi and that’s why I have now made a prompt decision,” the former Russian manager told Anzhi’s official website.

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.”

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