Hiddink out of running says agent

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

As speculation intensifies over who will succeed Rafa Benitez as Liverpool coach, one man who appears to be out of the running is Dutchman Guus Hiddink.

The agent for the recently-appointed Turkey manager stressed that Hiddink would remain loyal to his employers.

"Guus has shown over the years that he is loyal to agreements that he signed," Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told BBC Sport. "There is no reason why he would change such behaviour." 

"Guus just started two weeks ago in Turkey and as much as he likes the Premier League and as much as he respects Liverpool as a legendary club with a great future ahead, a switch would be hardly doable," continued the agent. "I know never say never, and especially in football this is true, but for me this is an impossible thought."

Galatasaray boss Frank Rijkaard also appears to have ruled himself out of the taking up the reins at Anfield.

"Rumours linking Frank to Liverpool are just that, rumours," Rijkaard's agent Perry Overmeers told the BBC.

"Frank is the type of person who likes to fulfil his obligations and he has one year left on his contract with Galatasaray."

Croatia manager Slavan Bilic, however, appears to be more attracted to the prospect of a return to England.

"An offer has not come - not yet anyway - so we will not discuss it. But if any offer does come we will of course discuss it," said the former West Ham player's brother and agent, Domagoj Bilic.

On Sunday, it was reported that the club would consult its senior players in its quest for a new manager.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.