Fact box: Guus Hiddink

Eurosport - Wed, 11 Feb 12:15:00 2009

All you ever needed to know about manager Guus Hiddink.

FOOTBALL guus hiddink russia coach chelsea publication not in SUI AUT NED ITA - 0

PLAYING CAREER

* Born in Wisch, Netherlands, on November 8, 1946, Hiddink began his professional career at 23 as a midfielder with De Graafschap.

* Moved to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in 1970 but returned to De Graafschap a year later after failing to win a regular starting place.

* Had two-year spell in US from 1976 with Washington Diplomats and San Jose Earthquakes before moving back to Netherlands where he spent three years at NEC Nijmegen before a final year at De Graafschap ahead of retirement in 1982.

BEGINNING OF COACHING CAREER

* Began coaching career at De Graafschap the same year before being appointed assistant manager at PSV in 1984. He succeeded Hans Kraay as manager two years later.

* Won Dutch championship with PSV four times in a row from 1986.

* In 1988 Hiddink won treble with European Cup and Dutch league and cup triumphs before following up with a domestic league and cup double the following year.

* In 1990 took over at Turkish club Fenerbahce but moved to Spain a year later, spending two years at Valencia.

INTERNATIONAL COACHING

* In 1995 Hiddink was appointed coach of Netherlands, leading team to Euro 96 quarter-finals where they lost a penalty shootout to France.

* Qualified for the 1998 World Cup and beat Argentina in the quarter-finals thanks to a stunning late Dennis Bergkamp goal before suffering another penalty shootout defeat, this time to Brazil in the semis.

RETURN TO SPAIN

* After the World Cup Hiddink returned to Spain to coach Real Madrid, replacing German Jupp Heynckes.

* Won World Club Cup but sacked in February 1999 after poor domestic form and was also dismissed by Real Betis the following year after a short stint there.

SOUTH KOREA SUCCESS

* In January 2001 he was appointed South Korea coach and led team to semi-finals of 2002 World Cup, beating Portugal, Spain and Italy, the best showing by an Asian side in the finals.

Following the World Cup Hiddink returned to manage PSV and won three consecutive Dutch titles from 2003 and the Dutch Cup in 2005.

* Led PSV to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2005, losing to AC Milan on away goals.

AUSTRALIA

* Hiddink was appointed coach of Australia in July 2005, continuing his role as PSV boss. He led the Socceroos to the World Cup in Germany the following year, losing 1-0 to Italy in the second round.

RUSSIA

* Hiddink quit both roles after the World Cup to take charge of Russia and helped them to qualify for Euro 2008 at the expense of England.

* After a 4-1 thrashing by Spain in their opening game at Euro 2008, Hiddink went on to lead Russia to the semi-finals where they lost 3-0 to eventual winners Spain.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 14 of 14

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  1. Look at the talent on the pitch, start playing football­ as a squad with a desire to win.... where has the­ hunger to win gone? Chelsea you are a team so start­ acting as a combined unit, show your new manager your­ worthy of a place in the squad

    From m.p.t, on Thu 12 Feb 9:19AM

  2. The Blues have a future.And the circus at Chelsea has­ generated alot of blah blah blah from the Chelsea­ haters and former Chelsea fans.

    Chelsea has commited­ many grave mistakes in the past e.g buying lavishly­ without training the young ,sacking Mourinho, missing­ the Robinho deal...

    BUT they will come back!

    From omundustrong, on Thu 12 Feb 8:31AM

  3. Chelsea not giving much time to coach, actually scolari­ is good coach...
    anyway.... Chelsea need Mourinho­ back...~

    From b2k_RaPToR, on Thu 12 Feb 6:07AM

  4. Hiddink guss,i belived that u a nice coach that will­ take chelsea to the top,but the things u have to do is­ u should take no robbish or begg any player.

    From prince_laughter2010, on Thu 12 Feb 4:45AM

  5. Scorlari is gone our problems are gone too bluse 4 ever

    From prince_laughter2010, on Thu 12 Feb 4:29AM

  6. who wants to come to Chelsea after this..as soon as you­ have a bad month, you are gone..we are going to be­ doomed for a long time to come with some Russian pri c­ k in charge..bring Mourinho back

    From igli, on Wed 11 Feb 8:48PM

  7. wish him the best of luck!!!

    From andrealliance, on Wed 11 Feb 8:16PM

  8. I think now the Chelseas will realise that sacking that­ great man “MOURINHO” was a TERRIBLE mistake.

    Hey! You­ Chelseas, sacking managers may not necessarily be a­ solution.

    From Paulo, on Wed 11 Feb 7:32PM

  9. no one can ever replace Mourinho!

    From some yahoo nic, on Wed 11 Feb 7:25PM

  10. no one will replace mourinho........

    From Child, on Wed 11 Feb 7:11PM

  11. blues, u really need 2 wake up & start­ running........

    quick.........

    From nihon_ikram, on Wed 11 Feb 6:18PM

  12. Do Chelsea really need him??????????????

    From oldeenglishhotels, on Wed 11 Feb 4:35PM

  13. Impressive credentials! I hope this can translate to a­ good performance of the team. "Wake up­ Blues", ...

    From louie, on Wed 11 Feb 4:32PM

  14. dszghh

    From Dafni C, on Wed 11 Feb 2:37PM
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