Former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has dropped the strongest hint yet that he may return to the Premier League.
The 66-year-old, who currently manages Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia, had a brief stint at Stamford Bridge in the 2008-09 season and he is one of many managers thought to be on the radar of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to replace the outgoing Rafa Benitez at the end of the season.
Hiddink brings his side, which boasts the likes of Samuel Eto’o, to Newcastle in the Europa League to battle for a place in the last eight and the Dutch coach said he is open minded about a return to the Premier League.
“I don’t know because I’m not the youngest anymore, although I feel still very energetic and I love to be on the pitch almost every day with the guys,” Hiddink told reporters.
“There is energy left, but I never can predict my future because a big part of the future is already behind me.
“I’d like to add a little sentence to that because it does seem in my answer that I’m not having a lot of joy in my current job, which is not true, I love the job which I am doing now.
“Anzhi are coming internationally from a small club. Within one year, the club image has increased a lot, the seriousness within the club and the way we are trying to play has given me also a lot of energy.”
Hiddink did admit that he misses the Premier League and called it a big league where players and managers want to be.
“I enjoyed very much the Premier League, of course and in my Chelsea time, we played here and had a good result,” Hiddink continued.
“Overall, the Premier League is what every player likes to do and also the managers and coaches, they like to work in the big leagues, of course.”
Anzhi face Newcastle with the tie poised at 0-0 from the first leg.
