Hiddink accepts Turkey challenge

Guus Hiddink has been appointed Turkey coach on a two-year contract until August 2012 with the option of a further two years. He will take up the post on 1 August after his contract with Russia expires on 30 June.

The 63-year-old announced on Saturday that he would be stepping down from the Russia helm and the Turkish Football Association has been quick to seal his signature. Turkey have been without a coach since Fatih Terim stepped down in October following their failure to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Hiddink has worked in Turkey before having coached Fenerbahçe SK during the 1990/91 season and his former player, and ex-national team captain, Oğuz Çetin, will work alongside him as assistant coach.

Hiddink enjoyed tremendous initial success with Russia after taking charge in July 2006, leading them to the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2008. It was Russia's best achievement since reaching the final of the 1988 UEFA European Championship, but they were unable to build on that in qualifying for this year's World Cup where they bowed out to Slovenia in the play-offs.

Hiddink made his name as a coach with PSV Eindhoven, leading the Dutch side to the European Champion Clubs' Cup title in 1988, and has also enjoyed a big impact in international football. He took the Netherlands to the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup and repeated the feat with South Korea in 2002. Hiddink also led Australia to the last 16 at the last World Cup before taking charge of Russia.

Turkey have been drawn in a demanding Group A in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012 alongside 2008 runners-up Germany, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.