Hiddink says he is set to become Russia coach

AMSTERDAM, Apr 10 (Reuters) Guus Hiddink says he is almost certain to take over as coach of Russia after the World Cup.

''We are working out the final details of the contract and when that is finished I will join them,'' Australia and PSV Eindhoven coach Hiddink told the Dutch TV programme Holland Sport today.

Russia failed to qualify for the World Cup in Germany which starts in June.

If he agrees his four-year contract, Hiddink will be in charge of Russia until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Hiddink is part-time coach of Australia, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 32 years.

He announced last month that he would end a four-year spell at PSV by leaving the Dutch club at the end of this season.

Yesterday, PSV clinched their 19th league title and sixth under Hiddink, who also managed the team in the late 1980s.

The 59-year-old coach reached the semi-finals of the last two World Cups with Netherlands and South Korea respectively.

Reuters DH BD0156