Guus Hiddink suggested that he would not rule out a return to manager in the Premier League, with the Anzhi Makhachkala coach talking up former club Chelsea as one of the best he's worked for.

Hiddink managed the Blues on an interim basis in 2009, after they had parted company with Luiz Felipe Scolari, and became a firm fan favourite as he led them to an FA Cup triumph.

Since Hiddink left Chelsea there have been a host of managerial changes and with Rafa Benitez confirming he will leave in the summer, the vastly experienced Dutch manager has admitted the Blues still hold a special place in his heart.

"I enjoyed very much the Premier League, of course and in my Chelsea time," he said, according to the Shields Gazette.

"Overall, the Premier League is what every player likes to do, and also the managers and coaches, they like to work in the big leagues, of course.

Guus Hiddink
Guus Hiddink says he would consider a return to England.

"I like very much the attitude of the players I had at Chelsea in my time. I liked very much the atmosphere in the stadiums, the public who enjoy very much and respect very much the way of playing."

Anzhi are currently competing in the Europa League, and face Newcastle at St James Park, and Hiddink is particularly excited at the prospect of collecting even more trophies on his CV, saying: "We're happy to be in the last 16, and it would be a tremendous achievement for us to be in the last eight.

"If you see which teams could be playing in the last eight, that's Champions League level.

"It's difficult and unpredictable to say whether the teams can go all the way. We like to go step by step and not think too much ahead, but if we could make the next step, it would give a lot of prestige.

"Newcastle, I know they have also, from what I have heard, the ambition to play in the final in Amsterdam, so it will be a nice clash.

"But I cannot predict the future. If I could, I wouldn't have been a coach."

Speculation that Hiddink might return to Chelsea will only increase this summer, and the Anzhi boss admits he still loves working with players, despite being in management for more than 30 years.

"I don't know because I'm not the youngest anymore, although I feel still very energetic.I love to be on the pitch almost every day with the guys.

"There is energy left, but I never can predict my future because a big part of the future is already behind me.

"I'd like to add a little sentence to that because it does seem in my answer that I'm not having a lot of joy in my current job, which is not true, I love the job which I am doing now.

"Anzhi are coming internationally from a small club. Within one year, the club image has increased a lot, the seriousness within the club, and the way we are trying to play has given me also a lot of energy."