Interim Chelsea manager Hiddink's best moments
Saturday, December 19, 2015
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Guus Hiddink is back in coaching at Chelsea, scene of one of his many great triumphs. UEFA.com picks out five key campaigns from a stellar three-decade career.
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Guus Hiddink has returned to Chelsea as interim manager until the end of the season, replacing José Mourinho just as he did Luiz Felipe Scolari nearly seven years ago. UEFA.com looks at the 69-year-old Hiddink's coaching career and picks out five highlights.
- COACHING CAREER & MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
1987–1990: PSV Eindhoven – European Cup (1988), Eredivisie (1987, 1988, 1989), Dutch Cup (1988, 1989, 1990)
1990–1991: Fenerbahçe
1991–1993/1994: Valencia (separate spells)
1995–1998: Netherlands – FIFA World Cup semi-finals (1998)
1998–1999: Real Madrid – European/South American Cup (1998)
2000: Real Betis
2001–2002: South Korea – FIFA World Cup semi-finals (2002)
2002–2006: PSV Eindhoven – Eredivisie (2003, 2005, 2006), Dutch Cup (2005)
2005–2006: Australia
2006–2010: Russia – UEFA EURO semi-final (2008)
2009: Chelsea (interim) – FA Cup (2009)
2010–11: Turkey
2012–13: Anji Makhachkala
2014–15: Netherlands
2015–: Chelsea (interim)
- FIVE KEY CAMPAIGNS & HIDDINK'S THOUGHTS
1987/88: PSV Eindhoven
In March 1987 Hiddink, 40, stepped up from assistant, a role he had also held at De Graafschap, to become head coach at PSV. Despite the departure of Ruud Gullit for AC Milan, Hiddink's PSV won everything there was to win the following season with players like Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Søren Lerby, Wim Kieft, Erik Gerets and Gerald Vanenburg. The Dutch double was completed and after knocking out Bordeaux and Real Madrid, they lifted the European Champion Clubs' Cup, beating Benfica on penalties in Stuttgart with Van Breukelen saving the decisive spot kick.
"We were absolutely not the favourites. We were an unknown side with a lot of young dogs. The atmosphere was extremely good. Everyone would go through fire and water for each other, and that led to the European Cup victory."
1998: Netherlands
After spells with Fenerbahçe and Valencia, Hiddink became Oranje coach in January 1995, steering them to the EURO '96 quarter-finals. At the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France his side defeated Argentina in a dramatic last-eight tie to set up a meeting with holders Brazil in the semi-finals. Patrick Kluivert's late equaliser forced extra time, cancelling out Ronaldo's opener, and although Phillip Cocu and Ronald de Boer's penalties were saved in the ensuing shoot-out, ending Dutch hopes of a third World Cup final, fond memories remain – especially of the beautiful Dennis Bergkamp winner against Argentina.
"We were so close to the final, it was a real shame. We played our own game. All in all we played a good tournament there. We really left an excellent impression, worldwide."
2002: South Korea
After landing the European/South American Cup with Real Madrid in 1998, Hiddink was appointed to direct co-hosts South Korea at the 2002 World Cup. They had exited the last four tournaments at the group stage without a win, yet the Dutchman was to perform a small miracle. The players became dedicated to the national team and through training camps and friendlies against leading countries, Hiddink created a squad that would become the only Asian side to reach the semi-finals – where they lost 1-0 to Germany. Hiddink attained legendary status in South Korea: not only was the Gwangju World Cup Stadium renamed after him, he was also the first foreigner to earn honorary South Korean citizenship.
"I am an international citizen. It is a great honour. I have great respect for the Korean people and what the team has done at this World Cup has had a huge impact on the country."
2004/05: PSV
Having matured considerably since his first stint in charge, Hiddink returned to Eindhoven in 2002. He was to collect three further Eredivisie titles and, in 2004/05, almost repeated his feat of 17 years previous as PSV completed the double and came within an ace of the UEFA Champions League final. However, having wiped out a 2-0 deficit in their semi-final second leg at home to Milan, they fell behind to an added-time Massimo Ambrosini goal, which proved decisive despite Cocu then levelling the aggregate score.
"We had a world-class team hanging on the ropes, but the decisive knockout blow did not come."
2009: Chelsea
Hiddink was named interim manager at Chelsea in February 2009 alongside his Russian national-team duties. Succeeding Luiz Felipe Scolari, Hiddink won 11 of his 13 Premier League matches, finishing in a strong third place and just missing out on the UEFA Champions League final following a last-gasp Andrés Iniesta goal for Barcelona.
Having received a rousing reception in his last home game in charge, Hiddink signed off by masterminding a 2-1 FA Cup final defeat of Everton at Wembley. Whatever Chelsea's current Premier League position, the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup are still very much up for grabs under Hiddink.
"Winning in the mecca of world football, the FA Cup, that's something I cannot believe."