The Russian Football Union gave their backing for discussions to take place, and Hiddink today told Radio 538 in Holland that he expects to be in charge at Chelsea next week.

“Abramovich does so much for Russian football that I wanted to do something back,” said Hiddink, who would combine the job at Stamford Bridge with his role with the Russian national side.

“One of these days I will go to London. I expect to be there on the field next week.”

Hiddink has given little thought to staying beyond the end of the current campaign.

He said: “There are two scenarios: it goes bad and they say ’go back east’ or it goes well, but I’m not thinking that far ahead.”