MOSCOW, Jan 7 - Russia's soccer chief on Sunday denied press reports that the country's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink may quit early to take over from Jose Mourinho as manager of English side Chelsea.

"He (Hiddink) has a contract, he is the current manager of the national side, and while his contract is in force no one can consider him as a candidate for another post," Russian Football Union President Vitaly Mutko told Ekho Moskvy radio station.

Hiddink signed a 2-1/2 year contract to coach the Russian team in April last year.

Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper quoted unnamed sources at Chelsea as saying Mourinho may leave the London club at the end of the 2006/7 season. The newspaper said Hiddink was the favourite to take over.

Chelsea are owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. The tycoon also pays a portion of Hiddink's wages and helped bring the Dutchman to Moscow.