Guus Hiddink Named New Ivory Coast Coach

Experienced coach Guus Hiddink has agreed terms with the Ivorian Football Association to coach Les Elephants during the World Cup, according to a report from Dutch national broadcaster NOS. The report claims that Hiddink has signed a two-month contract with Ivory Coast, starting on May 15, 2010 and running until July 15. However, the contract will be rescinded if Hiddink fails to prove within the next 10 days that his contract with the Russian FA has been terminated. The former Chelsea gaffer's contract with Russia was due to expire on June 30, 2010, but both sides have been negotiating about an early termination in the past couple of days. Ivory Coast are in the market for a new head coach following the departure of Vahid Halilhodzic earlier this month. The Africans were also being linked with Philippe Troussier and Sven Goran Eriksson, but Hiddink always was their primary option. Hiddink previously coached Holland (1998), South Korea (2002) and Australia (2006) at World Cup finals tournaments. The Dutch coach will start as Turkey coach after this summer's finals in South Africa.