Leonid Slutsky has told Sky Sports that he has "the best agent in the world" in Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as he attempts to use an extended trip to England as the springboard to become the first Russian to manage in the Premier League.
The 45-year-old, out of work after managing Russia at Euro 2016, came to England in January to find a job with the help of long-time friend Abramovich, who has provided him with accommodation, access to Chelsea's Cobham training complex and tickets to matches around the country.
"Mr Abramovich is my friend and he is helping me achieve my dream," Slutsky, who has been taking intensive English lessons since his arrival, said. "It's a challenge for him also. He is like my agent, the best agent in the world.
"His new project in Russian football is helping me with my career in England. He's giving me lots of advice about tactics and behaviour and communication with chairmen and owners."
Slutsky won three Russian Premier League titles in seven years as manager of CSKA Moscow and led the club into the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time in their history in 2009, but is prepared to prove himself in a Championship job before being given an opportunity in England's top flight.
"One hundred percent I guarantee success," he added. "I hope I will have a chance. I have new ideas that may be interesting for English football."
Abramovich is a powerful ally, having proven himself to be one of European football's most successful owners since taking over Chelsea in the summer of 2003, even if he has deliberately avoided cultivating a public profile.
"He is very friendly, very intelligent, he makes a lot of jokes, but of course he's a private man," Slutsky said of Abramovich. "I cannot speak a lot about him but he works hard developing football around the world."