Mancini and Hiddink rule out Chelsea job

May 26, 2008

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Chelsea received a double blow in their search for a successor to Avram Grant on Monday as Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini and Russia coach Guus Hiddink both denied they want the Stamford Bridge job.

Mancini, who has just led Inter to a third successive Serie A title, has been heavily linked with the Premier League club for several months and that speculation increased after Grant's sacking on Saturday.

But the Italian's agent insisted he has had no contact with Chelsea and would not be instigating talks because Mancini wants to stay at the San Siro.

“There is no truth whatsoever that there has been contact with Chelsea and there has been no contact with any team other than Inter,” De Giorgis told Sky Sports News.

“That is the real truth. If there are rumours they are unfounded. If there is anybody that went to make noises to Chelsea, it was not authorised by Roberto Mancini.

“He has a four-year contract with Inter and he is very happy to stay there.

“He just won a third championship and they are also going to try to win a fourth and the Champions League too.”

Hiddink also appears keen to distance himself from the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

His stock soared after leading Russia to Euro 2008 at England's expense and his reported friendship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich added fuel to claims he would move to west London.

But Hiddink's agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen insisted his client plans to stay with Russia until after the 2010 World Cup.

“There's no way Guus will go to Chelsea,” he told The Times.

“It's not an option and has never been. Guus is the coach of Russia and will stay until the World Cup of 2010.”

Aside from Hiddink and Mancini other names in the frame to succeed Grant include Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard and Manchester City coach, and former England boss, Sven-Goran Eriksson.

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