Turkey insist no deal has been struck over Hiddink

Hiddink is thought to be the Blues’ No 1 choice to replace previous manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was fired shortly after the club’s trophy-less season came to an end last month.

Dutchman Hiddink has a strong relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and previously managed the club during a successful three-month caretaker spell in 2009.

His contract as Turkey manager runs until next summer but he added fuel to speculation that he wants to return to Stamford Bridge after refusing to commit his future to the country before Friday’s 1-1 draw against Belgium.

Reports yesterday suggested the TFF are resigned to losing their manager.

Chelsea are reportedly keen to tie up a deal for the 64-year-old soon, but the TFF say any potential negotiations will have to wait until next week as their president Mahmut Ozgener, and Hiddink himself, are on holiday.

“There is nothing official happening because both parties are away,” TFF spokesman Turker Tozar said.

“Mr Hiddink is on holiday now and the president is on holiday for a week as well. Nothing can happen at the moment.”

Reports the TFF and Chelsea have already agreed a compensation deal for Hiddink are also wide of the mark, Tozar insisted. “Mr Hiddink is still our manager and he has a contract until 2012,” he added.

Ancelotti, meanwhile, has confirmed he will take a one-year sabbatical from coaching after being dismissed by Chelsea last month.

He has been linked with the vacancies at Fulham and Aston Villa and has also been a reported target of Serie A club Roma, for whom he enjoyed great success as a player.

“I am in no hurry to coach and I don’t need to,” Ancelotti said.