Hiddink hints at Premier League return

14-Mar-2013 5:10:00 AM

The former interim Chelsea manager reveals that he is open-minded about a coming back to England but insists that he is enjoying being in charge of Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala

Anzhi Makhachkala manager Guus Hiddink has revealed that he would be keen to return to the Premier League, though insisting that he is enjoying his role in Russia.

The 66-year-old, who had a brief stint in the hotseat at Chelsea in 2008-09, has been rumoured to be on Roman Abramovich's shortlist to succeed the outgoing Rafa Benitez this summer.

The Dutchman, who takes his free-spending Anzhi to Newcastle on Thursday evening to fight for a place in the last eight of the Europa League, says that he is open-minded about a permanent return to English soil.

"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," he 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."

The Moscow-based club head to Tyneside with the tie delicately poised following a goalless draw in Russia and Hiddink revealed he missed the Premier League on the eve of his clash with Alan Pardew's outfit.

He added: "I enjoyed very much the Premier League, of course and in my Chelsea time, we played here and had a good result.

"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."