Guus Hiddink leaves Anzhi Makhachkala fuelling speculation that he will takeover the vacant Barcelona job Guus Hiddink has stepped down as manager of Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, with former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen taking his place. Hiddink had been in charge of the money-rich club for just a year having taken the role after he left the Turkey national team in 2011. He famously guided Chelsea to the FA Cup in 2009 having taken charge of the club temporarily in Ferbruary that year after Luiz Felipe Scholari. Despite Chelsea fans admiration for the Dutchman, he chose not to stay with the club as he was also Russia manager at the time. The news is slightly surprising given that Jose Mourinho has just returned to Stamford Bridge, with Hiddink having been linked with a return each time the managerial role has become vacant. He managed to land himself in a spot of bother last weekend when he pushed a fourth official after seeing one of his players - central defender Ewerton - sent-off in the 33rd minute. Hiddink was angered after a penalty was awarded to Dinamo Mosow deep into injury time, leading the 66-year-old to push Roman Chernow lightly has he ran up the touchline. He faced a six-match ban for the incident, but he has announced his resignation from the club with immediate effect. Muelensteen will now take over having left United following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement earlier this year. He chose to leave the club with incoming manager David Moyes bringing in his own backroom staff, and will now take control of the side that boast such names as Samuel Eto'o, Christopher Samba and Lassana Diarra. Hiddink's exit has seen him instantly installed as the new favourite for the vacant Barcelona role, following Tito Vilanova's resignation due to his on-going health issues. He has of course managed in Spain before, having taken over the Real Madrid job in 1998, but after a poor run of form and remarks about the board and finances of the club he was sacked in February 1999. He has also managed at Valencia, PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahce and Real Betis along with national roles with the Netherlands, South Korea and Australia.