Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich remains hopeful of keeping Guus Hiddink beyond the end of the season.

Hiddink still says he will leave Chelsea at the end of the season, but owner Roman Abramovich is intent on persuading him to stay.

Abramovich's biggest fear is the potential backlash in Russia and he therefore wants qualification for the World Cup to be secured before striking a deal, says the Daily Mail.

Zenit St Petersburg coach Dick Advocaat is a possible replacement in the Russia role, while former CSKA Moscow manager Valery Gazzayev yesterday made it clear he wants the job.