Guus Hiddink has signed a two-year contract to take charge of Turkey, starting on August 1, the country's football federation has confirmed.
The Russia boss, who last week announced he will leave his current post in the summer, will steer Turkey through the Euro 2012 qualifiers and there is the option to extend the deal for a further two years when it runs out after the finals.GiveMeFootball TV Porto v Arsenal: Champions League preview
Turkey are in Group A, along with Germany, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.A statement on the federation website read: "Dutch coach Guus Hiddink has accepted to take charge of Turkey until August 2012 after announcing he won't extend his contract with the Football Union of Russia which was due to expire on 30 June."Turkish Football Federation (TFF) president Mahmut Ozgener and TFF vice-president Lutfi Aribogan flew to Amsterdam to finalise the negotiations with Hiddink."The 63-year-old experienced coach agreed to a two-year contract with an option for a further two years."The federation also confirmed that Hiddink's coaching staff would consist of former Turkey captain Oguz Cetin and an unnamed Dutchman as well as former Turkey goalkeeper Engin Ipekoglu.Hiddink had been linked with a number of club and national team jobs in recent months, with his time as Russia coach seemingly drawing to a close.The former Australia boss took charge of the Russian team in 2006 and steered them to the Euro 2008 semi-finals, having beaten England to a place in the tournament, but Russia then failed to qualify for this summer's World Cup.Hiddink, who won six Eredivisie titles as PSV Eindhoven coach, also led Holland to the World Cup semi-finals in 1998 and South Korea to the same stage four years later, as well as lifting the FA Cup with Chelsea during a six-month spell in charge last season.Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.
