The Guardian says Ten Cate has told Chelsea he will not work under Avram Grant and he has demanded assurances that he would instead be part of a Dutch team headed by Hiddink.

Ten Cate spoke to Chelsea's director of youth development, Frank Arnesen, last week about a move to work with the current assistant manager, Steve Clarke. It is believed Arnesen pledged that Hiddink would eventually follow as manager. However, Chelsea yesterday countered reports in the Netherlands that Hiddink is being lured from his post as Russia manager.

Hiddink's agent, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, refused to comment beyond reiterating that he remained in talks with the Russian federation. One Chelsea insider said that Grant would be the club's manager "for years to come".