Chelsea made to sweat as Hiddink continues to weigh up his options

The Dutchman appears to be Roman Abramovich’s No 1 target to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked barely an hour after Sunday’s final game of the season at Everton.

Hiddink reprising the role he filled on a temporary basis to such great effect two years ago seemed unlikely until yesterday, amid reports he was not keen on a return to frontline club management and staunch opposition from his current employers at the Turkish Football Federation.

But agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen refused to rule out a club management role being Hiddink’s next job, while the TFF later adopted a far more relaxed response to the latest rumours linking the Turkey boss to Stamford Bridge.

Senior national team communications manager Turker Tozar said: “At this stage, we will leave everything to Mr Hiddink and if he sees the need to speak about this issue, he will do this. We have a press conference on May 27. If he wishes to comment on these rumours or leaks, he will do.”

Van Nieuwenhuizen had warned the earliest Hiddink would be available would be October as he would not break his contract with the TFF.

But pressed on whether his client had completely ruled out a club management role as his next move, he said: “I don’t know that you can say that.”

Van Nieuwenhuizen insisted he knew nothing of reports Hiddink had recommended Marco van Basten to Abramovich as an alternative to himself as manager but confirmed the fellow Dutchmen were in touch.

Van Basten’s agent Perry van Overeem said there had been no approach from Chelsea for the former Holland player and manager, who has been out of work since leaving Ajax two years ago and is currently mulling over more than one offer to return to the game.

The other name heavily touted as successor to Ancelotti is Porto’s Andre Villas-Boas, with former manager Jose Mourinho – currently at Real Madrid – also in the frame.

Alex McLeish, meanwhile, will remain as Birmingham manager despite their relegation from the Premier League.

Blues acting chairman Peter Pannu told the club’s official website that McLeish’s job is “safe”, adding: “The board regrets relegation and feels that supporters have been let down.

“The club can confirm that manager Alex McLeish’s job is safe but the board will expect him to lead the side back to the Premier League in the 2011-12 season.”