Murky Machinations in Moscow

By: Martha | November 27th, 2007

Guuuuuuuus! Thanks to England’s defeat by Croatia and their own 1-0 victory over dire Andorra, Guus Hiddink’s Russia slipping into Euro 2008, and there was much rejoicing. Or was there? News out of Russia this week suggest that the Dutchman, despite successfully achieving the only thing he was supposed to do — qualification — might well be on his way out (And the English FA begins to drool slightly).

The stories are sketchy and confusing, but it apparently is a fact that Vitaly Mutko, the head of the Russian Football Union, is refusing to talk to either Hiddink or his agent about the extension (until 2010) that reports last week indicated the manager had already signed. The issue, though has little or nothing to do with Hiddink, or Russia’s performance under his guidance. Instead, it’s do with Roman Abramovic. Say what now?

Well, it turns out that, in addition to being the King of Chelsea, Abramovic is also the “principal financier” of the Russian Football Union and, in that capacity, the man who pays Hiddink (of whom, incidentally, he’s a big fan). He’s also, presumably, the reason that one of Hiddink’s contract demands is for a new national training center and a Football Union headquarters — sure, the Dutchman would like to have them, but the message being sent here, according to The Guardian, is that if Hiddink does’t get that new contract, the Football Union isn’t getting diddley-squat. Wow, that Abramovic plays hardball, huh?

The Federation, though, is said to be standing firm (For what reason I don’t know — what’s the point in standing up to him if it leaves you without a good manager, facilities, or any money?), refusing to even talk to Hiddink about a new deal until 2008. In the meantime, we’ll see if anyone from England starts making casual phone calls to the manager, whispering bad things about Russians, and promising lots and lots of money if he’ll just come take over the national team.