Translated material
Two-legged goose...
Why doesn’t anyone in Russia criticize the Dutch coach of the Russian national team, who took London’s Chelsea as a “part-time job” from last week until the end of May?
If the Chelsea coach had decided to train the Russian national team in his free time from his main job, then in Foggy Albion the local press and fans would have “gobbled up” him, but in our country they reacted favorably to such a turn. The head of the Russian Football Union (RFU) Vitaly Mutko gave the go-ahead for the part-time job and said: “If the Russian national team becomes the world champion, then let Hiddink coach it over the phone!” The players themselves wished the coach good luck and expressed confidence that he would succeed. Why doesn't anyone condemn Hiddink's choice?
The RFU cannot pay for the contract
“You know, there are a lot of omissions and speculations around the topic of Chelsea and Hiddink,” State Duma deputy Valery Draganov, who was removed from the RFU executive committee last week, told Interlocutor. - And they arose because from the very beginning it was necessary to honestly voice the position of the RFU: “Yes, we cannot pay for Hiddink’s contract, so we are making a compromise!” No one hides anymore that the fulfillment of the contract of the head coach of the national team is in the hands of the National Football Academy - the structure of Roman Abramovich (which pays 5 million dollars a year out of 7 million euros. - Ed.). And along with it, the RFU is a hostage to this situation, which is simply forced to agree with Abramovich’s proposal for Hiddink to combine two posts. It’s just that before agreeing to Hiddink’s work in England on behalf of the RFU, Vitaly Mutko had to at least assemble an emergency council of the RFU executive committee. And when Mr. Mutko says: “We weighed all the pros and cons,” then... In general, I think a unilateral decision was made. And now this is a given that must be taken into account.
Personally, I do not blame Hiddink, although combining the posts of coach of the national team and the top club of the best Premier League in the world, which is the English one, has never happened in the world. Why is this possible in Russia, but impossible in Italy or England? Imagine, the coach of the Italian national team, Marcello Lippi, declares to his federation: “And I would like to work part-time at Spartak Moscow.” What answer do you think he would have received? You know, no matter how much we say that Hiddink’s part-time job will not affect the fate of the national team, no one knows this yet. Let's hope that our team will reach the final stage of the World Cup. The main danger: what if Hiddink receives another offer in the summer?
Hiddink is idolized in Russia
Everyone in our country loved the Dutchman. If children were named after him Gusami, without thinking about what it would be like for a child to live with that name outside of Holland. If the fans didn’t even reproach their idol, but wished him good luck. Hiddink is truly loved in Russia, because only loving people can forgive their loved one everything and wish for one thing: that he does not leave them. 
How to become a Chelsea manager
Sunday, February 8, 2009
10.00 (hereinafter the time is Moscow). The Russian national team flies to Turkey for a training camp with an incomplete squad (the players of CSKA and Zenit are already in Turkey at the location of their clubs). RFU General Director Alexey Sorokin is flying with the team. In an interview with our correspondent, he admits that Hiddink’s salary is in arrears and that the RFU is experiencing some problems due to the financial crisis.
20.30. The Russian national team holds its first training session in Belek. At the end of the meeting, Hiddink answers questions from journalists. The Dutchman says he is worried about delays in wages, but he believes that the situation will improve.
Monday, February 9
19.00. English media report the resignation from the post of Chelsea head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. “When I saw this news on TV, I thought: probably now there will be talk about the coach of our national team,” midfielder of the Russian national team Diniyar Bilyaletdinov admits to the author of these lines. “It’s logical.”
20.00. English bookmakers are starting to accept bets on Guus Hiddink taking over Chelsea.
22.00. Hiddink himself told reporters at the team hotel: “For now these are just rumors. I don’t want to comment on them.”
Tuesday, February 10
13.00. At the end of the morning training session of the Russian national team, Hiddink gives an interview to the Russia Today television company. In it, he does not tell the television crew any new information: “I repeat once again: I am not ready to comment on rumors that I can lead Chelsea.” Is it possible to combine posts? I don't know either. But there was already a point in my career when I combined work for the national team and the club. I was leading the Australian team at the time.”
13.10. At the end of this interview, Hiddink tells Russian journalists he knows that he is ready to talk with them in the hotel lobby. Already there, Gus reports sensational news: he actually received an offer from Chelsea, which he is ready to accept.
14.30. Hiddink's assistants, Korneev and Borodyuk, unanimously refuse to comment.
15.30. Russian national team players share their reaction. “It seems to me that Gus will not abandon the Russian national team in any case,” says goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, in particular. “I don’t believe in it.”
16.30. There are reports that the RFU has allowed Hiddink to negotiate with Chelsea. At the same time, there is no talk of the Dutchman leaving the post of coach of the Russian national team.
17.00. Igor Semshov: “I am sure of one thing: Gus is a professional, and he will continue to devote himself completely to his work. It is also important that the coach knows us very well. Hiddink is an experienced mentor. In addition, he will be involved in the club when he is not in the national team. I think that working at Chelsea, on the contrary, will benefit Hiddink. The coach will always be on his toes. So I don’t have any anxiety.” Malafeev: “I believe that the combination will affect work at the club more than on the national team.”
Wednesday, February 11
11.00. Before training with the Russian national team, Hiddink meets with Zenit head coach Dick Advocaat. Despite their previous disagreements, they communicate as friends.
11.15. Hiddink announces to the national team players that he may lead Chelsea.
17.00. The Dutchman says a very warm goodbye to the Russian football players at the airport.