Chelsea deny move for Van Basten

Chelsea have not made any approach to the Dutch Football Association over Holland coach Marco van Basten.

Owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly offered Van Basten the manager's job at Chelsea, casting doubt on the future of the recently appointed Avram Grant.

But the Dutch FA claim they have not had any contact from Chelsea, who have in turn denied approaching anybody regarding the managerial position.

Russia coach Guus Hiddink has also been repeatedly linked with the job.

But a Chelsea statement said: "Chelsea totally refute that the job of manager or first-team coach has been offered to any individual other than Avram Grant.

"No one at Chelsea has been authorised to speak to any individual about the post, either by the board or the owner.

"Any suggestions that any team plans or arrangements have been changed due to representations from the players are totally false."

When asked whether Chelsea had been in contact regarding Van Basten, Dutch FA spokesperson Anja van Ginhoven said: "No.

"Van Basten will talk to the Dutch FA at the end of the year about a new contract or leaving after Euro 2008."

The 42-year-old was sitting behind Abramovich at Old Trafford as Manchester United defeated Chelsea 2-0 on Sunday.

But Van Ginhoven added: "It is absolute speculation that resulted from the fact Van Basten was in Manchester last weekend for an appointment with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

"He sat in the stand quite close to Mr Abramovich - that was just a coincidence.

"Both our CEO and Van Basten said they will not talk about contracts now. We will start talking about it at the end of the Euro 2008 qualification campaign."

Van Basten's current deal expires after Euro 2008 and the Dutch are well placed to qualify for the tournament.

Holland are second in Group G, level on points with Romania, who they play on 13 October.

The Dutch play their final qualifying game at home to Belarus on 21 November.

Van Ginhoven added: "I don't know if they will reach a final decision before the end of the year. I think the first talks will be in December."

Abramovich is said to favour the attacking style of football that Van Basten has brought to the Dutch national team.

It has been reported that Van Basten, who has a pro licence, was recommended to Abramovich by Chelsea's Dutch sporting director Frank Arnesen.

Meanwhile, Hiddink, 60, is vastly experienced with PSV Eindhoven, Valencia, Real Madrid, Real Betis, South Korea and Australia among his former clubs.

Like Van Basten, he is also out of contract after Euro 2008 and set to discuss his future with Vitaly Mutko, president of the Football Union of Russia, after his team's game with England on 17 October.

"In his last interview Guus Hiddink said he had spoken to Vitaly Matko about a new contract," Russian FA spokesman Ivan Genkenev told the BBC.

"They made the decision to talk about it after the game against England. I don't know what they will decide - there are many variants.

"We had better wait for the game with England and after that the situation will be more clear."

And Genkenev added: "Officially there has been no contact between Chelsea and the national team."

Chelsea parted company with Jose Mourinho on 20 September and director of football Grant was installed as his replacement.

But Grant does not have the required licence and has a 12-week period of grace to acquire the qualification.

If he does not Chelsea will have to appeal to the Premier League for special dispensation or replace Grant.

Source: BBC Sport