Chelsea yesterday insisted Roman Abramovich has no plans to lure Dutchman Guus Hiddink to Stamford Bridge.

Media reports from Holland had linked Hiddink with a move to Chelsea but the Blues have made it clear that billionaire owner Abramovich is not preparing a move for the Russia manager.

Abramovich's office issued a statement in Russia in response to the speculation and Chelsea insist the situation remains unchanged.

A Chelsea statement read: ''Information that Mr Abramovich is preparing to, or already has, offered Gus Hiddink a management post at Chelsea is untrue.

''Mr Abramovich is very pleased the Russian Football Union has offered to renew Mr Hiddink's contract until 2010.

''Thanks to Mr Hiddink the Russian national team has become more exciting and solid, giving hope for achieving serious success on both the European and international levels.''

Chelsea confirmed first-team coach Avram Grant's plans to strengthen his backroom team.

Grant, basking in Chelsea's impressive Champions League victory away to Valencia, is considering having a foreign assistant coach to work alongside Steve Clarke.

Reports in Holland suggesting that Ajax boss Henk ten Cate has met with Chelsea technical director Frank Arnesen, fuelled fresh speculation that the arrival of ten Cate would be the first step towards preparing a backroom team for fellow Dutchman Hiddink.

Only last week Hiddink was quoted as saying he had told Abramovich he wanted to concentrate on getting the national team to the Euro 2008 finals.