FA Cup - Hiddink departs with message

Eurosport - Fri, 19 Jun 15:24:00 2009

Guus Hiddink admitted Chelsea's riotous dance party after the FA Cup final was the perfect way to end his brief reign but the departing Blues manager wants his side's victory over Everton to signal a more sedate period at Stamford Bridge.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 FA Cup Chelsea players celebrate with Guus Hiddink - 0

Hiddink joined Chelsea's stars in a wild dressing room celebration at Wembley on Saturday, which saw even Roman Abramovich lose his inhibitions and throw a few shapes alongside Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and company.

A first trophy for two years does that kind of thing to a club who had grown used to such occasions during Jose Mourinho's reign.

But, while Hiddink was delighted to savour every moment of a perfect farewell before resuming his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis, the Dutchman believes it is the Mourinho era that Abramovich must recreate if Chelsea are to enjoy more champagne-soaked celebrations in the future.

Since Mourinho was eased out after a bitter power struggle in September 2007, Chelsea have been through three managers and Abramovich is set to appoint a fourth, most likely Milan's Carlo Ancelotti, in the next week.

Hiddink believes that constant change has had a negative effect on the players and he wants Abramovich to stick with his new man for the good of the squad.

"We had a nice dance party with everyone participating, the players and the staff," Hiddink said. "We have a multi-cultural squad and you must see the African players; to see Essien break-dance is a joy.

"I did some good moves, the African way. At least that's what I was thinking!

"Roman danced with us. He is not a man of many words but he was in the middle of the party.

"It was emotional in the dressing room because we were aiming for this cup.

"We had this beautiful African dance, then I gathered the players and technical staff in another room because I won't get another opportunity now to speak to them.

"I gave a five minute speech to thank them in a rather emotional way for the way we have worked together in the last four months.

"Now I think stability is a big need for the club. They have had too many changes in the past years and they recognise that themselves.

"They need a long-term strategy so that they can build a team and keep up their high performance.

"The players know what they are capable of. This victory might be the foundation for the future. They have shown they can do it."

After falling behind to Louis Saha's 25 second opener, the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, Chelsea gradually overpowered Everton.

Didier Drogba equalised with a header from Florent Malouda's cross in the 21st minute and Frank Lampard gave Chelsea their fifth FA Cup when he drove a long-range shot past Tim Howard after 72 minutes.

Hiddink refused to rule out managing another Premier League club, or even Chelsea, in the future, but for now he will visit his father before focusing on leading Russia to the 2010 World Cup finals.

He will always have a place in the hearts of Chelsea's players and fans after one of the most successful caretaker manager spells of all-time.

When Hiddink replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari in February he took over a squad in danger of stagnating, but his direct, open approach produced a run of just one defeat in his 22 matches.

And were it not for some dubious decisions by referee Tom Henning Ovrebo in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona, Hiddink would have taken Chelsea to two finals.

He admitted that controversial defeat was the only disappointment of his time in England.

"It would have been even more perfect if we had been somewhere a few days ago playing in another big final," Hiddink said.

"That is the only regret I have. I would have loved to play Man Utd in the Champions League final, but it did not happen.

"I feel sadness to be leaving because the attitude from everyone was superb. On the other hand leaving with silverware gives a feeling of satisfaction.

"This is the best way. You can say goodbye easier with a cup."

AFP

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  1. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    she loves the scouse cok
    she loves the scouse cok
    john­ terrys mar loves the scouse cok

    From bigbollocks_uk_uk, on Sun 31 May 11:21AM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    john terrys mum loves the scouse cok

    From Norman, on Sun 31 May 11:19AM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    john Terrys mum is a shoplifter theiving scum

    From Norman, on Sun 31 May 11:18AM
  4. no.15
    get a grip you w*nker. how dare you compare­ losing a football team manager to losing a loved­ one.
    have you ever lost a child or a wife?? rest­ assured, i would rather lose 25 football managers. you­ unbelievable pr*ck.

    From frankiethebear2002, on Sun 31 May 10:56AM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    comment 20 your mad mate you aint got a manager if­ ancellotto comes do you really think he will adapt to­ the premier straight away another scolari i think utd­ liverpool more like chelsa to win nothing next season­ is a better bet

    From faye529, on Sun 31 May 10:56AM
  6. im a man utd fan but i have to say the preimer league­ was a better place with gus in it hope to see him back­ soon

    From faye529, on Sun 31 May 10:52AM
  7. Well done Guus, You have shown that the ingredients­ were there it just needed a great chef to put them­ together. You will always have a place in the hearts of­ Chelsea fans and i am sure you will be back one day to­ continue what you have already started at Chelsea

    From chelseatone, on Sun 31 May 10:51AM
  8. Great game. Great Team. Great Manager. Awesome­ performance and without a doubt they would have­ trounced man united in the CL final. People like gene­ hackman stunt double (I guess you are a baldy) just­ can't take the fact that Chelsea did what they had­ to get past Barca (a fantastic team). It wasn't­ pretty but tactically spot on. But for the ref we'd­ be holding two cups now. Roll on next season. A two­ horse race next season...Chelsea/Liverpool.

    From John B, on Sun 31 May 10:49AM
  9. HIDDINK was a major success at CHELSEA and also for­ football...................a man who keeps his word and­ no matter what is offered to him money­ wise...............................he kept to his­ word!!!

    A very rare thing these­ days.............................betya ROMAN respects­ him ALOT!!!

    From Richie, on Sun 31 May 10:40AM
  10. thank you hiddink, chelsea 4 life

    From uchdido, on Sun 31 May 10:39AM
  11. Cheers to chelsea club and fans around the world. Guus­ did us pround.

    From robert a, on Sun 31 May 10:38AM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    This is a message from Luiz Felipe Scolari: What is dis­ message from ehhh Golden Guus @#$%? Could it be ehhh­ "do not park bus against Barcelona and let them­ score crucial away goal"? Or is advice to ehhh­ Frank Lampard,"do not run around pitch like batty­ boy with your thumbs up like arrogant overrated­ geezer"?

    With much ehhh love,
    Big Phil

    From gene_hackman_stunt_double, on Sun 31 May 10:26AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hiddink, your deparure from Cheslea can only be­ compared to loosing a loved one in the cold hands of­ death.
    I can imagine on the enormity of this grief on­ the players if faithful fans can feel so depressed..We ­ hope to meet u again someday, God willing at Stanford­ Bridge..Wish u well.
    Emeka Unachukwu Nigeria

    From Emeka, on Sun 31 May 10:25AM
  14. Thank you Hiddink , You are the best!
    you can make a­ small team strong and big, you can make a team with­ stars champion...
    you are just the best! Everybody­ respect you and love your work.
    Love with nice ending­ never finishes, see you soon,
    I hope in the very near­ future...
    goodluck!!!

    From Sergio, on Sun 31 May 10:25AM
  15. well said ray c, look forward to next season. TQ, Derby­ Fan.

    From Tony, on Sun 31 May 10:25AM
  16. Hiddink we will miss u so much, Mourihno was good but i­ think u are better for chelsea. As a man of ur words­ it has become too difficult to make u stay. I WISH YOU­ THE BEST IN YOUR CAREER!!!

    From Sergio, on Sun 31 May 10:20AM
  17. all the best guus, thanks for everything.(fellow blue)

    From ruderobxxx, on Sun 31 May 10:19AM
  18. Thanks Guus.... you have brought pride back to the club­ and the players.... to the best club in the world... I­ wish you all the lick in the world with Russia, (sorry­ but England will beat you if we meet in the finals of­ WC 2010 ..... ).... Please come back to Chelsea when­ you have finished your current job... We will all miss­ you...

    From lolly301, on Sun 31 May 10:12AM
  19. He had the same players as Scholari..more or less the­ same everything ! The difference is that he is MAN­ enough to deal with all the flying dummy's at the­ club. Nicholas Anelka has been the class act there but­ what mention or acknowledgement does he get? I feel­ Drogba has to go and give Anelka his job ! One less­ flying dummy eh !! By the way...I'm a Leeds United­ fan but a football supporter !! Well done to Chelsea­ and Man Utd and Liverpool and Arsenal....and every­ other football club in this land !! They ALL give us­ enjoyment !! Ray

    From Ray C, on Sun 31 May 10:11AM
  20. I hope Gus Hiddink will be paying a fine for smoking in­ a public place, will Roman pay on his behalf?

    From Laughing Boy, on Sun 31 May 10:00AM
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