Guus Hiddink [ Images ] has agreed to coach the Turkish national team from August 1, the Turkish Football Federation said in a statement on Wednesday.

Last week, the Dutchman announced he would step down as national coach of Russia [ Images ] when his contract expired on June 30.

"The Turkish Football Federation chairman and vice chairman met Mr Hiddink in Amsterdam yesterday and agreed on a deal of four years, of which two years will be optional," the federation said in a statement.

Hiddink is one of the most respected coaches in world soccer and has been in charge of Russia since 2006, taking them to the semi-finals at Euro 2008 [ Images ] but failing to successfully negotiate qualifying for this year's World Cup finals in South Africa [ Images ].

Turkey, Euro 2008 semi-finalists, have also failed to qualify.

Hiddink took the Netherlands to the World Cup semi-finals in 1998 and repeated the feat with co-hosts South Korea in 2002, before helping an unfancied Australia [ Images ] to reach the knockout stage in 2006.

During his spell with Russia, Hiddink also managed Premier League side Chelsea [ Images ] for a few months and helped them to win the FA Cup last season.

The 63-year-old, who had a brief spell in Turkey in 1990 coaching Fenerbahce, replaces Fatih Terim who stepped down last October.