Niall Sullivan


When Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked as manager of Chelsea in February many thought that their season was destined to end in disappointment. They were falling behind in the Premier League, and the team spirit which was in evidence under previous managers was not there anymore.

This all changed when Dutchman Guus Hiddink took over and transformed the club. He dragged them back into the title race, while also unluckily losing to Barcelona in a Champions League semi-final in which many key refereeing decisions went against them.

However, despite this misfortune, Hiddink led the club to an FA Cup win against Everton and in the process delivered the club’s first trophy for two years. Due to his success at the club many players and fans wanted him to stay on, but Hiddink decided to stay loyal to his contract with the Russian national team.

The current Russia coach’s success in management has been showcased throughout the world. He has managed countless international teams such as Australia, South Korea and Holland while also managing clubs in Turkey, Spain and his native Holland.

After a relatively modest playing career, Hiddink started coaching at the Dutch club De Graafschap, a place where he played over 200 times as a player. He learnt his trade here as assistant manager until he took up the same role at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

Hiddink spent four years as assistant at the Phillips Stadion before taking over in his own right in 1987. His reputation was enhanced significantly over this three year spell, winning the league three times in a row and also the European Cup, which itself formed part of an unprecedented treble.

His next move was to Turkish side Fenerbahce, a short spell however that ended after a year and no trophies, giving way to a move to Spain and Valencia, where he also failed to deliver any silverware. Hiddink did though receive praise for his brand of attacking football during this period. The Dutchman then decided to move into international management for the first time. Hiddink was given the chance to coach his native country and handed the task of leading them into Euro 96’.

Hiddink’s team began the tournament as one of the favourites, with such talents as Frank de Boer and Patrick Kluivert in the squad. However, constant in-fighting caused splits in the group and this led to Edgar Davids being sent home after a heated argument with Hiddink. The team itself suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to England in the group stages and were eventually knocked out in the quarter-final against France on penalties. Hiddink went one better at the 1998 World Cup, reaching the semi-final, and playing some of the best football at the tournament.

This though did not stop Hiddink from resigning soon after the tournament ended. Spanish giants Real Madrid were his next port of call, and then Betis, but these spells both proved to be unsuccessful and he was sacked after spending less than a year with both teams.

Despite these setbacks there were many clubs still trying to acquire the Dutchman’s services. However, in a surprise appointment, Hiddink chose to become the head coach of the South Korean national team, with the responsibility of leading a country that would co-host the 2002 World Cup through the group stage at the very least. Many believed this to be an impossible task.

What Hiddink performed with the South Koreans was nothing short of a miracle. After leading the country to wins over such heavyweights such as Italy, Portugal and Spain they reached the semi-final, which they lost to Germany. The co-hosts eventually finished in fourth place which was seen as remarkable, especially when considering South Korea had never won a World Cup game prior to this tournament. Hiddink gained god-like status in the country and was awarded citizenship as a thank you.

With his enthusiasm renewed, Hiddink returned to club football and to his old club PSV Eindhoven. During his second spell at the Phillips Stadion Hiddink won five trophies including three league titles, making him the most successful coach in Dutch history. The Champions League semi-final was also reached for the first time since the tournament format had changed.

This success saw Hiddink presented again with an opportunity to lead another team to a World Cup. In 2005, the coach agreed to take control of Australia in conjunction with his role at PSV. Combining two jobs on opposite sides of the world would see Hiddink stretched to the limit, but once again he would succeed.

After overcoming Uruguay in the Oceania/South America playoff, Hiddink led his team into their first World Cup in 32 years. This gave him the same level of popularity as he had in enjoyed in South Korea, and his team were seconds away from taking Italy into extra-time in their second round match, but for a dubious penalty.

The end of the World Cup meant the Dutchman was on the move again, and not just from one job, but from two, as he decided to leave both and was quickly snapped up by another country, Russia. Hiddink led the team into Euro 2008 at the expense of mighty England, and managed to reach the semi-final, losing only to eventual winners Spain.

This impressive performance led to more interest in the coach. After Avram Grant was sacked, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was recommended the Dutchman, but he had already agreed to a contract extension with Russia. Chelsea did succeed in getting Hiddink into the Stamford Bridge dugout, but only for a short time. He took over from Brazilian Scolari and gave the club and its players their confidence back. During his time in charge the players came to respect and admire him, so much so that after the FA Cup victory they presented him with a watch, rumoured to have cost £150,000.

Hiddink resisted all calls for him to take the job permanently, showing loyalty to the Russian FA. However, he will remain with the club as a technical advisor and has reportedly recommended a number of players which he believes the club should sign.

Guus Hiddink has been ambiguous on any future plans, and has given little indication to what he might do after his contract with Russia ends. One thing is for certain, if it doesn’t work out with Carlo Ancelotti, then Roman Abramovich will turn to his Dutch friend, who may not be able to resist the lure of the Chelsea job this time around.

It’s been quite a career that Hiddink has enjoyed thus far, and the last chapter is still to be written.

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