MOSCOW, July 23 (R-Sport) – The former head coach of Russian football team Anzhi Makhachkala Guus Hiddink told a Dutch news site Tuesday he has no plans to join another football club in the near future.
"There is no other club, nothing is happening," Hiddink told nu.nl. "Now I'll go on a vacation, a long vacation."
The Dutch coach resigned from Dagestan-based Anzhi on Monday, fueling speculation in international media he was set to replace Tito Vilanova in Barcelona. Vilanova stepped down last week as he battles cancer.
Hiddink, 66, left Anzhi six weeks after signing a new one-year contract. Former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen has taken over the post.
Hiddink said he had long planned to leave “when the club is able to develop and continue to grow by itself, without my participation,” but his agent, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, told R-Sport Monday he was “surprised” by the announcement and knew nothing of any plans to quit.
Since signing with Anzhi in February 2012, Hiddink played a key role in converting Russian billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov's wealth into success on the pitch, combining stars such as three-time Champions League winner Samuel Eto'o with a large share of developing talent including many up-and-coming Russian players.
Hiddink took Anzhi to a club-record third-place finish in the league last season, as well as the Russian Cup final and a strong run in the Europa League.
Updated to correct spelling of Cees van Nieuwenhuizen's name in fifth paragraph
