Ivory Coast want Gus Hiddink for World Cup

Ivory Coast are hoping to appoint Gus Hiddink to spearhead their World Cup campaign. The African side are currently without a manager after the team’s poor performance at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, which led to coach Vahid Halilhodzic’s dismissal.

President of the Ivorian FA, Jacques Anouma, confirmed to the BBC that Hiddink is their primary target. "Of the three of four in contention to become the next coach, Guus is the person we want but we are still talking to him," he told the British broadcasting network. "Probably in the middle of next week something will be concluded."

Hiddink is contracted to Russia until June 30, 2010 and recently signed a two-year contract to manage Turkey from August, but may be available to hire on a temporary basis for the World Cup.

If so, there will be no end of suitors for his services given the Dutchman’s stunning record at previous World Cups. In 2002 he took unfancied South Korea to the semi-finals, whilst in 2006 a workmanlike Australian side led by Hiddink reached the last 16 – only losing to eventual winners Italy via a late, controversial penalty.