Ahn in snub to Perugia U-turn

Ahn Jung Hwan will not go back to Serie A club Perugia, which threatened to fire the South Korean striker for scoring the golden goal that knocked Italy out of the World Cup.

Today's announcement from the player's agent came after the Italian side reversed its original decision and said it had taken the option to buy Ahn's contract from South Korean K-League club, Busan I.cons.

"Ahn has flatly denied Perugia's offer to fully join them," Ahn's management group, ePlayers, said in a statement. "He said he will no longer discuss his transfer to Perugia, which attacked his character instead of congratulating him for his goal in the World Cup."

But a Perugia spokesman said it had not heard from Ahn and claimed: "We don't believe this news. There is a contract signed by three parties - Perugia, Busan, and Ahn - that takes effect on Sunday. We'll wait to hear directly from Ahn, who I hope is now enjoying some vacation."

Ahn has been on loan at Perugia for two years but has failed to win a regular first-team place.

The day after his headed winner saw South Korea beat Italy 2-1, Perugia owner Luciano Gaucci said: "I am not going to pay the salary of a guy who has been the ruin of Italian soccer."

Meanwhile, South Korea coach Guus Hiddink is just one match from the end of his contract and the former Real Madrid manager is expected to return to Europe.

There has been speculation that PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Dutch League three seasons in a row and the European Cup in 1988, want him back.

Dutchman Hiddink also played for Eindhoven and he has admitted that clubs have been in contact but refused to disclose details until the World Cup is over. For South Korea, the finals end on Saturday when they contest the third place play-off.