Korean preparations hit by rumours of coach's departure

Guus Hiddink, the South Korea coach, yesterday denied reports from the Netherlands that he was set to take over as PSV Eindhoven's new coach as soon as the co-hosts' World Cup campaign was over.

Hiddink, who spent four years at PSV, leads South Korea into a quarter-final against Spain here this morning, but insisted he had not spoken to the Dutch club, contradicting the PSV president, Harry van Raay, who claimed the deal has been agreed.

The 55-year-old Dutchman, whose 18-month contract with Korea expires after the tournament, said: "Of course there are always going to be rumours and things going on. But I have said to everyone that I will not talk to anyone during the World Cup. We have a big game and I'm just concentrating on that."

However, Van Raay claims the former Real Madrid coach has agreed by e-mail to return to the Philips Stadium. "I'm very confident that we will come to a final agreement," said Van Raay.

The Koreans will be disappointed by the timing of Van Raay's comments, 24 hours before the biggest game in their history. Hiddink, too, is also annoyed by the reports, which he sees as a distraction, but although he has a deep affection for Korea, and in particular his players, he is expected to return to Europe once the World Cup ends.