Guus Hiddink still our manager, says Turkish FA
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Your support makes all the difference.The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) have denied they have agreed terms for the departure of national team coach Guus Hiddink and do not expect any potential negotiations with Chelsea to begin until next week.
Hiddink is thought to be the Blues' number one choice to replace previous manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was fired shortly after the club's trophy-less season came to an end last month.
The Dutchman has a strong relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and previously managed the club during a successful three-month caretaker spell in 2009.
His contract as Turkey manager runs until next summer but he added fuel to speculation that he wants to return to Stamford Bridge after refusing to commit his future to the country before Friday's 1-1 draw against Belgium.
Reports this morning suggested the TFF are resigned to losing their manager.
Chelsea are reportedly keen to tie up a deal for the 64-year-old soon, but the TFF say any potential negotiations will have to wait until next week as their president Mahmut Ozgener, and Hiddink himself, are on holiday.
"There is nothing official happening because both parties are away," TFF spokesman Turker Tozar said.
"Mr Hiddink is on holiday now and the president is on holiday for a week as well. Nothing can happen at the moment."
Reports the TFF and Chelsea have already agreed a compensation deal for Hiddink are also wide of the mark, Tozar insisted.
"Mr Hiddink is still our manager and he has a contract until 2012," he added.
Hiddink's agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen insists his client is still focused on leading Turkey to Euro 2012 despite last weekend's disappointing draw, which left the team eight points behind Group A leaders Germany and one behind the Belgians.
The Turkish media reacted angrily to Hiddink's refusal to commit his future to the TFF this weekend.
'Good riddance' and 'Goodbye Hiddink' were two negative headlines aimed at the former Real Madrid boss following the draw against Belgium, but Van Nieuwenhuizen remains adamant his client is still happy in his current position.
"He is very happy with the draw in Brussels because he is still in the race for the European Championships," Van Nieuwenhuizen said.
"Nothing has changed. I have said it before, Guus is under contract with Turkey.
"He has an obligation there until his contract is up in June next year. We have been saying that for weeks. Everyone is making their own stories about his future, but this is the reality."
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