Soccer: Hiddink aims to end brief Blues career with treble

Guus Hiddink believes Chelsea will be well positioned to challenge for the treble if they beat Bolton in the Premier League overnight - but insists the sheer weight of his moral obligation to Russia will prevent him taking the job permanently.

Hiddink's demeanour at Anfield midweek, when he guided Chelsea to an historic 3-1 Champions League victory over Liverpool, suggested he has fallen in love with the club despite a complicated job-share arrangement that sees him also remain as manager of the Russian national team.

Chelsea are now within touching distance of the semifinals in Europe and are also through to the last four of the FA Cup and sit third in the Premiership, closing in on leaders Manchester United.

It should add up to good times at Stamford Bridge but instead Hiddink, who has only 50 days remaining in West London, continues to insist he is unable to take the job permanently.

He said: "I have my contract with Russia and I do it wholeheartedly. Two years ago, we renewed it and we are educating the young players in Russia now as well. The moral standards are sometimes going up and down in our business but I want to see it through to the end.

"Nobody has spoken to me about it at Chelsea as it was clear beforehand. Everyone knows the supportive relations between Roman Abramovich and the Russian Federation so it's obvious.

"But it's about the Russian players as well. They are not officially involved in making a decision in ending a contract which has not yet expired but they are part of this process.

"I was the initiator to renew a lot of things with them. I am not a great moralist of the world but I owe it to the players. I am challenging them all the time and, with all the respect, they could blame me for not standing to my own values. It's very important for me to stick to my word."

Hiddink's situation could change if Abramovich found a way of smoothing things over with the Russian Federation, but the strength of his comments suggest no such compromise is on the horizon.

Instead Hiddink is concentrating on ending his Chelsea career with a treble.

"Talking about the league, the other ones must stumble and we must not drop any points," said Hiddink ahead of the overnight game against Bolton. "It's difficult but still a reachable goal.

"The other two roads we have a FA Cup semifinal, also a big game against a big club in Arsenal, and a difficult game on Tuesday against Liverpool. But first step first, which is Bolton."

Meanwhile Hiddink has distanced himself from quotes on a Russian website criticising Harry Redknapp's handling of Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and suggesting the forward should move to Chelsea instead.

Hiddink said: "Harry Redknapp knows exactly what to do with his players, he's a respected professional and I didn't mention anything about Pavlyuchenko."

The Dutchman also dismissed speculation that Chelsea are set to make a bid for striker David Villa. "That must be a Spanish website," he joked. After his comments, Hiddink's own future should be equally clear. But all the same, nobody at Stamford Bridge is saying goodbye just yet.