A report this morning says Russian National Team coach Guus Hiddink is close to being named to the same post for the Turkish National Team.  The Milli Takım has been without a coach since the resignation of Fatih Terim, who failed to lead the team to 2010 World Cup qualification.  The new era in Turkish football may be getting underway soon, however.

The possibility of Guus Hiddink taking over the role of coaching the Turkish National Team is starting to look more certain. Recent reports in the Turkish news have made it known that the Turkish Football Federation is expected to appoint the experienced international coach in early 2010. 

According to Hurriyet, Hiddink will be offered a lucrative deal that could match or top the salary he currently earns with the Russian National Team in an effort to entice the coach to the Turkish helm. The TFF plan to bring all their sponsors together -Mercedes, Nike, Turkcell, Ülker and Türk Telekom - in an effort to create the money needed to bring the coach over to the Turkish side.

With Hiddink's contract expiring in June 2010, he is expected to come to a decision soon on where he will continue his career.  The Dutch coach has spent three consecutive and highly successful World Cup campaigns with Netherlands, South Korea and Australia, with only a shock exit to underdogs Slovenia ruining his run. Hiddink has also been offered to extend his contract with Russia until after the 2012 European Cup.  In additional to the international interest, Italian club Juventus have also expressed interest in Hiddink. 

According to Hurriyet, the Turkish Football Federation also spoke with Joachim Löw and Jurgen Klinsmann, but decided to go with a more experienced coach in Guus Hiddink.  The TFF plans to announce the decision in early 2010 at a ceremony, where it will also introduce Ersun Yanal, the former Milli Takım, Gençlerbirliği and Trabzonspor coach.  Yanal will take over responsibilities for the youth national teams.

(article written by Sabit Kozak; edited by Nathan L. Redd and Mehmet Pozam)