Hiddink announced as new Turkey coach

Guus Hiddink has agreed to a two-year contract as coach of the Turkish national team.

The Dutchman's contract as Russia coach ends on June 30 and he will sign a contract committing him to Turkey until August 2012 with an option for a further two years.

The Turkish Football Federation announced the deal Wednesday for Hiddink, who has also previously coached South Korea, Australia and Russia.

He guided Russia to the semifinals of the 2008 European Championship but the team failed to qualify for this year's World Cup.

Hiddink also coached Istanbul side Fenerbahce during the 1990-91 season.

"Guus is not new to Turkey," Hiddink's agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told de Volkskrant newspaper. "He will surely know where to begin."

"The passion and experience in football in Turkey is comparable to only a few countries."

Hiddink won the 1988 European Cup as coach of PSV Eindhoven. He replaces Fatih Terim, who quit after Turkey failed to reach the World Cup. Terim had been coach since 2005, taking the team to the Euro 2008 semifinals.