Football player and coach from the Netherlands Guus Hiddink (Guus Hiddink): biography and coaching. Biography Which club trains Gus Hiddink
Igor RABINER
from Saint-Petersburg
Gus was not allowed into the FIFA Club. Yes, yes, you heard right. In a hotel near St. Isaac's Cathedral, the International Football Federation set up its camp a couple of weeks ago, and part of it has always been empty. There he planned our conversation over a cup of cappuccino he adored, but a strict English-speaking woman from categorically refused to let the famous coach in there. Although there was not a single person there.
Hiddink was angry - after all, in some deeper rooms of the FIFA Club, unknown persons kept passing football world persons who have clearly less merit in the game than the Dutch coach. And he needed little - access to the outside bar. But FIFA paid for these premises, and the owner is a gentleman. And there it doesn’t matter who played what role in the history of football. Though Hiddink, although he wanted to go there, but also failed to do so, the mayor of Sochi. Whose mood clearly improved at the sight of Gus, and a small delegation from Sochi took pictures with him with pleasure.
Anyway, in a good hotel there is always a cozy place for a conversation. In addition, a few minutes later, his wife Elizabeth joined us, who came to St. Petersburg for four days. The waiters were impeccable and Hiddink supported them in Russian: "Very well!"
He reacted with enthusiasm when he paraded in the same “Club FIFA”: “He is here in the FIFA group, which is analyzing and preparing possible changes in the rules. Former rival!" If anyone forgot, it was van Basten led that magical June 2008 evening in Basel when the Russians beat the Oranges in the Euro quarter-finals. Such are the coincidences.
Gus, who worked throughout the tournament, as you already know from his previous interview with "SE", an expert on Fox Sports USA, and I talked about the last tournament and general impressions of being in the country. The master's remarks are all the more important because he remains the only coach in the history of our post-Soviet national team who managed to qualify from the group at the World or European Championships - and, moreover, go even further.
June 24. Kazan. Mexico - Russia - 2:1. Stanislav CHERCHESOV (left): emotions on the edge. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"
CHERCHESOV BUILD A COMPETITIVE TEAM
"SE" had a great headline last week - struck me Hiddink with its awareness. - On the day of one of the matches you had on the front page in large print: "Stan, do it like Gus!" I liked it very much!
- It was a match with, and it sounded exactly like this: "Stas, be like Gus!" The fact is that you are the only coach in the history of the Russian national team who left the group with her at big tournaments. But how do you know about this hat?!
We had this paper in our Fox Sports USA studio, and the meaning of the headline was translated for me. Of course, I could now say that I am a KGB agent, or what do you call this special service now - FBS? (Laughs.)
- FSB.
Yes exactly. But everything is much simpler!
- Let's talk about the Russian team. How would you rate the performance of the head coach at the tournament? Stanislav Cherchesov?
I see that he is in the process of building a competitive team to participate in such a tournament as the World Cup. It's the most important. On my own experience, with the Korean national team in 2001, I went through the Confederations Cup. And I know for sure that this is a certain point where you can quite reasonably and objectively assess where you are compared to other teams.
Yes, don't you know. At that Confederations Cup, although you won two matches in the group, you did not reach the semi-finals due to the defeat from the French - 0:5. But the next year they reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Like me 16 years ago, Cherchesova there is now a year left to build on the lessons learned from this tournament and work on things that need to be improved. Each of the three games held by the Russians is a valuable lesson.
- Do you see progress if you compare the current Russian team with the one that played a year ago at Euro-2016 in France?
This team is more energetic. Yes, this energy does not appear for all 90 minutes, but this is impossible. I liked that in two matches, when your team started to concede in the score and needed to add, it did it. That is, we saw the correct reaction of the team to the unfavorable course of events! And is it important. True, neither Portugal, neither with Mexico equalize Russia failed, however, with the Portuguese the second half was not like the first, and with the Mexicans the team was not very embarrassed even by the removal.
She didn't throw out the white flag.
Although this often happens in such situations. But even ten Russia managed to create scoring chance when struck above the gate. Another thing is that an energetic and confident game should be gradually turned into a standard for the team. So far, she is only visible from time to time.
The Russians celebrate a goal against Mexico. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"
- The first half with Mexico - in terms of activity, pressure, attacking orientation - reminded me of your Russian team at Euro-2008.
Yes. I will say the same about the starting segment of the match with New Zealand. I even timed it in the opening match when Russia I really liked it - the first 12 and a half minutes.
In both cases, the team played extremely compactly, "covering" the opponents at the moment of the loss of the ball and moving around the field in a coordinated and close to each other. I liked it all very much. Now the task Cherchesova- increase the duration of the segments when the team can play such compact football.
- What do you think is the potential of this team in a year? What stage of the World Cup is she able to reach in the best hands?
The main thing is that she should concentrate on the positive moments that we saw at the Confederations Cup. And, in particular, around the character shown after the removal in the match with Mexico. Around the first half in the same game, some fragments of the meeting with . It's good that before the world championship there will be three or four weeks for targeted preparation, which helped us a lot in 2008. The players looked at me with a plea: "When will this all be over?!" But in the end, we entered the tournament perfectly prepared. I hope the same will happen ten years later, and Russia can play hard. Intensity is the main word for today's football.
- In your opinion, is the quarter-final for our team achievable in principle?
- Can you compare the level of the players of your and the current Russian national teams?
I would not like to do this, especially since I cannot be objective in this matter. Of course, I have nostalgia, I really love that wonderful team and its players. In general, comparing players from different times is unfair.
It is important that at that moment the already high-quality players were also very well prepared functionally, and I was proud of the team. But the way the current Russian team played gave hope that in a year, with careful preparation, it could play almost the same.
The problem is that, according to many, current generation Russian collections - the least talented in history.
If you have a good team spirit and a carefully crafted game strategy, this can make up for a very large part of your lack of super skill. We had players who could decide the outcome of an episode of the game with their class.
- Today in the Russian team is not visible.
Oh, Andrei could score a goal himself and create an opportunity for others. This is true. How can you forget the other guys?!
Mistake by Igor Akinfeev (left) in the match against Mexico. Photo by Alexey IVANOV, "SE"
IF IN THE BREAK THE FIELD WAS MORE ABUSEDLY, THE BALL WOULD Bounce TO THE SIDE OF AKINFEEV
- But from your time remained. Given his age and injury history, are you surprised that he is still in the national team and, moreover, in the first roles in it?
I agree, he played very well. Yuri and I know each other very well. Any national team needs young guys 22-23 years old who are knocking on the door. Experienced players can play, but these should support them, creating fair but tough competition for them in the position. This will level up the entire team.
- How can you explain his red card? Was it the result of team shock after the second Mexican goal?
Yuri is not one of those who are easily shocked by something (smiles). I always want to protect him. I don't think it was too much swipe elbow. On the other hand, he probably pulled for a second yellow card, and, in my opinion, Zhirkov recognized the validity of this decision. He shouldn't have done this because he knew he already had a warning. But I can't be neutral when I talk about Yuri because I love him so much! He is very, very gifted.
- Before the start of the tournament, you sent an SMS with words of support to him, and - to the three players who remained in the national team from your time. No more texting?
No, only then. I wished good luck, they thanked me with response messages.
- And what, in your opinion, happened to Akinfeev at the time of the second Mexican goal?
I use a play on words in English. Igor in that episode was too eager (the name of the goalkeeper and this word meaning "impatient" sound very similar. - Note. I.R.), to solve the problem. And it turned out to be difficult.
The Mexicans, being under pressure, just knocked the ball towards the Russian goal. In the language of hockey, we can say that they just "thrown the puck out of the zone." That throw was not a good constructive pass. It just happened!
And what happened next, I am convinced, must be seen not only as a Russian mistake. The guy who kicked the ball was very brave going all the way! Igor went out of the penalty area and misjudged the situation. He tried to get a high-flying ball with his foot, but, I repeat, the short Mexican turned out to be brave, not removing his head. But here's another nuance that I thought about then.
- What is it?
If the field were wetter, the ball would bounce off the lawn at a sharper angle, that is, closer to Akinfeev. Immediately, the rebound turned out to be more vertical, and Igor did not have time to reach it.
- That is, if the field had been watered more abundantly during the break, this mistake could not have happened?
Yes. And this once again shows how important the smallest nuances are in football.
– Could Akinfeev also show a red card?
Could. But because of the goal, the referees forgot about that shot, fortunately for him.
- The main goalkeeper of the Russian national team for the last 13 years has been grossly mistaken in two of the last three big tournaments - the 2014 World Cup and the 2017 KK. Do you think it's time to look for a new number one?
I remember that both in my presence and for a long time afterwards, he did a very good job in his place. Every football player has the right to make a mistake, but if the goalkeeper makes it, it becomes fatal. From what I see, Igor, the captain of the national team, feels a very large measure of responsibility for the team.
Now I'm not close enough to her to draw the right conclusions about what you asked. But I repeat: he also has the right to oversight. Do not forget that your great goalkeeper Lev Yashin played in the national team until 40 years old, and ended his career even later! And this means that goalkeepers can play for a very long time.
- Moreover, he had an unsuccessful World Cup in 1962, after which he was mercilessly booed by fans in Moscow, and he almost ended his career. I went fishing for three or four months ...
Threw himself into the water and caught fish with his goalkeeper's hands? (Laughs.)
- Maybe. That's how he came to his senses and the next year he won the Golden Ball.
And a monument to him, which I remember very well, stands near the Dynamo stadium! It is impossible for any footballer, even the most remarkable, not to make mistakes and keep his highest level in absolutely every match. And even now, when the number of matches, especially in the leading leagues of the world, reaches 55-60 per season, even more so.
Alexander GOLOVIN. Photo by Alexey IVANOV, "SE"
GOLOVINA DID NOT KNOW BEFORE THE CONFEDERATION CUP. I LIKED HIM
- So that's the trouble, that Russian football players do not play in these leagues. And there are much fewer matches, and the pace, and the level of resistance in them is much lower. In your opinion, does this affect the class of the national team players?
This is a real topic of concern. In the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga, the intensity of the games is high. Look at the Chileans, the players like and who play in these leagues. I'm not even talking about individual skill. And that they, getting the ball, instantly speed up the game and make it more intense. Because they are used to playing like this in their leagues.
- And Vidal also jumps so that the rest remain to his waist.
And it's very nice to look at. This is exactly what is the essence of modern football. In general, Russian football lacks just this intensity. In the transition from defense to attack, in an effort to ensure that in one or another zone - the middle of the field, closer to other people's gates - you turned out to be more than your opponents. The maximum of vertical, diagonal gears is what we should strive for.
What pleased me in what I saw with the Russian team is that the players are able to show a more intense game than they are used to. But so far this happens in shorter segments than their strongest opponents.
Do you think that any of Russian players able to play high level in the top leagues? For example, Golovin?
If he manages to cope with the common problem for Russian football that we just talked about, then yes. It's not about technical ability. In addition, they are naturally very magnificent. No coach will teach you this.
It's a pity that Dzagoev now injured. But both he and he have the technical skills to play in any league in the world. However, they need to be able to handle the other level of intensity that they have.
- Did you know Golovin before the Confederations Cup?
To be honest, no. I liked him. The guy's game shows that he is aware of what he is capable of, and it's nice to look at it. And when he gets used to more intensity, he will become even more productive.
- Would you advise him to leave right now, a year before the World Cup? After all, in the top leagues there is a risk that he will sit on the bench, while in CSKA he will have a guaranteed place in the squad. And - the rate is more than important.
It's none of my business. I follow the Russian championship too little to make such conclusions. But he is 21 years old - the age when you have to constantly play. And a year later - the home World Cup. There is a danger that if he goes into big club, then will not enter the field regularly. For the next season, this is a rather difficult choice. Does Golovin have a specific proposal?
- There are regular talks - primarily from a number of agents - that Arsenal are interested in him.
Agents, agents, agents... They love to talk! I know that a number of serious scouts came to the tournament. But I won't go into more detail on this subject. (laughs).
- And from Smolov they expected exactly what he showed, or more?
It was interesting to look at him. Because everyone counted on it, which means that serious pressure was put on him. In my opinion, it did not crush him. He was active. But in big matches, it was precisely the intensity and rigidity of the actions of the defenders that he faced and which are lacking in the Russian championship.
At the same time, he had some very good solo passes, penetrating into someone else's box, shots and passes. He hit the post beautifully against Mexico. He is fast and capable of acceleration with the ball, he has a great shot, he is able to "kill". It is very important that the midfield delivers the ball to him in the right areas and at the right moments. In my opinion, Fedor should not move too much to the flanks in search of the ball and too deep to the center of the field. He needs to be and open in the penalty area. It's very good that Smolov got such invaluable experience as playing against other tough guys.
For the foul of José FONTI (right), the referee could well have awarded a penalty in the semi-final against Chile. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"
MAYBE THE VIDEO ASSISTANTS WENT TO THE TOILET IN THE PENALTY EPISODE IN THE SEMI-FINAL?
- How do you like the new judging system with video assistants?
It was used for the first time in official tournaments of national teams. In my opinion, this system has worked in favor of the fairness of judicial decisions. At the same time, it needs some improvements. Some decisions, made or not, even after consulting with video assistants, raised doubts.
This is especially true of the incident with a fight during a match with Mexico. This was not just a boom-boom-boom skirmish during which it was impossible to see anything. Everything went beyond a certain limit.
Then many accused the referee of not giving any red cards. But, in my opinion, in such a hustle and bustle it is difficult or impossible to place all the blame on the arbitrator. Because when a mass brawl starts, tracking down the initiators from the field is extremely difficult. You are too close for that. Then the help of video assistants is really needed. Their evaluation of the episode should be more active. As in the case of individual rough attacks by a player when there is no ball near and close. I believe that the decision-making time with the help of VAR should also be reduced.
However, this is nothing more than a side note. I would like to emphasize once again that, in general, I consider the decision to use video assistants to be the right one. Enough refereeing mistakes were neutralized thanks to VAR. Some retrogrades say: "No, it's great when arbitrators have the right to make mistakes. They are people!" Yes, of course, they have such a right. But when it regularly flouts justice, the system must change.
Sometimes I hear: "That's the charm of the game, that the referee can make a mistake." This is bullshit! And I hope that after the introduction of the new system, we will gradually leave behind such points of view. They are the past.
- Doesn't it seem strange to you that under the new system it was possible to avoid a penalty kick in an obvious episode of the semi-final match Portugal - Chile?
Yes, when he fouled. In such a situation, you can blame the Italian referee ( Gianluca Rocky. - Note. I.R.), which usually sees more and more sharply. I have seen his work in Serie A many times, and I like it. But in this case, VAR, in my opinion, should have behaved more insistently. Of course, the final decision is up to the chief referee, but the video assistants had to say: "In our opinion, this is a penalty."
In the end, the result of the match was in favor of the one affected by that decision. But it could have turned out the other way around, and then it would have turned out that the error would have affected the result. And the Chileans would have the right to say: "Why do we need VAR then?"
That's why I say that since the best teams will be represented at the world championship next year, the referees, including the videos, must be the best. And there is no need to think about them being neutral and not representing the countries participating in the championship. The main thing is qualification.
- Do you have any idea why that penalty wasn't awarded?
Perhaps the video assistants at that moment went to the toilet. Or for a minute went out into the air to smoke a cigarette. Even if the arbitrator does not ask the VAR for their opinion, but they see what happened, their duty is to report their vision to the arbitrator and ask him to review the episode and make the final decision. I don't know exactly how things like this happen, but that's how it is in my understanding.
Fedor SMOLOV in the game with Mexico. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"
AFTER THE PUSH, SMOLOV DID NOT FALL, BUT JUMPED
- In Russia, too, many believe that of the four controversial episodes with penalties in favor of the hosts - one each against New Zealand and Portugal and two against Mexico - 11-meter should have been assigned.
I remember that Smolova With Mexico slightly pushed! There, in my opinion, the problem was that Smalley jumped a little. When you are pushed in the back, you fall down instead of flying up. Yes, they touched him. But it seemed that the fall was, let's say, a little more colorful than the violation.
I admit that this is what confused the judges. The moment was not unambiguous in either direction, I would call it controversial. I think that in such situations we must respect the decisions of the referees.
- At least we watched the episode with Smolov. With Zhirkov - no.
There they hurt him a little right leg. Some referees in such cases believe that the player puts his foot on purpose so that it is hurt. Gets hit. But this episode was also close to a penalty kick. Again, it was not an unequivocal penalty, but there were certain grounds for a penalty kick.
- One way or another, in both cases the score was 0:0, and the missed penalties did not affect the course of the match, since Russia opened the score anyway. Now, if they were ignored at 1:0, 1:1 or 1:2 ...
Yes. But, one way or another, I am convinced that the appearance of video assistants greatly facilitates the work of referee teams.
- Do you remember the episode with the fall of Bukharov at the end of the match with the Portuguese?
I can't say that this episode was right in front of my eyes. But too big to even fall! (Laughs.) This is a joke, of course. But I don't have an accurate assessment of the episode.
- But did you expect more loyal refereeing in relation to the hosts? Moreover, you had such an experience - in Korea-2002.
First, the Confederations Cup is not a world championship. And secondly, I think that home refereeing should not be. The arbitrators must be neutral.
IN THE DANGER OF A STORM, OUR STUDIO ON THE NEVA WAS EVACUATED IN TWO-THREE MINUTES
- Let's return to the issue of hospitality, which FIFA did not please you with. In general, is everything in order with him at the Confederations Cup?
No problems at all! The people are very friendly and positive. And, what is very important, everyone does their job at a high level. The same security services supervise everything perfectly and perform their own duties from and to, but at the same time they behave in the highest degree of culture. And this is important, because, on the one hand, the main thing is to ensure security, but on the other hand, you should not do it in an incorrect form. But at KK-2017, this is not even close.
In our previous conversation, I already told you that before the opening match, after the search, the whole group of people involved in security in that compartment asked me to joint photo and it was wonderful. There were no more such stories, but it still stuck in my memory. Nice!
- Did it work well?
Very. Fox Sports USA filmed a beautiful outdoor studio with the Neva in the background. And they took care of us. At some point, black clouds suddenly gathered sharply, and there was a danger of a thunderstorm - with thunder and lightning. Apparently, the forecast was disappointing, and security guards immediately ran to us: "You need to urgently return to the hotel!" And within two or three minutes we were provided with cars to transport not only ourselves, but also all the equipment to a safe place.
- I have no doubt that the cultural program you have with Elizabeth, people who are interested in everything in the world, stood out for glory.
Yes, just yesterday we had an interesting tour of the city, and the guide not only showed us St. Petersburg, but also told us a lot of details unknown to us. And not only about him, but, for example, about the murder of the royal family by the Bolsheviks in Yekaterinburg. After the opening of the KGB archives during the Yeltsin era, the terrible details of the crime were revealed - after all, this execution, judging by its details, can be called ritual.
We have always been very interested in Russian history, rich and deep. And at the end of the tour we went to the Hermitage for an hour and a half. I am happy that life in football has given me the opportunity to remove the blinders from my eyes and get to know so many wonderful countries and their people. I thought about it more than once during the tour, and in general during these weeks in St. Petersburg. The same goes for the kitchen. On days when there are no matches, we dine in traditional Russian restaurants and have great fun.
- Did you like the tournament from the organizational point of view?
No questions! Maybe I can't fully judge everything, because I spent the entire tournament in St. Petersburg. It's a fact that the Confederations Cup had great stadiums. Heard that there were some problems with one lawn.
- Where you actually are.
Yes. As far as I know, there have been no such issues in other cities. But, after all, this is the Confederations Cup, not the World Cup. There is a year left before the main tournament, and the current one is held just in order to try everything and learn from it. Today the game is getting faster and more "vertical". And for this you need slightly wet fields with short-cut grass. They don't have to be like meadows. But with the attendance of the tournament, in my opinion, everything was quite good. It seems to me that Kazan has distinguished itself for the better from this point of view.
- Yes, in terms of occupancy, it was in first place among all cities.
In general, I liked the stadium there, the stands are located close to the field. But here, of course, it was also about the matches that were held in a particular city. In Kazan, the sign has always been excellent, including the game with the participation of the Russian team.
- Interestingly, the most attended match before the final was the game between Portugal and New Zealand - more than 56,000.
Didn't know it. This once again emphasizes the importance for the public of the presence of big stars on the field - such as. 56 is great! Yes, most often the stadiums were not filled to capacity, but again, let's not forget that we are talking about the Confederations Cup, and not about the World Cup. I had a similar experience in Korea in 2001 and it was exactly the same.
In my opinion, attendance there was even lower. At that time, football in Korea was not considered a very big spectacle for its public, it needed promotion. But there were no problems at the championship itself, and I am sure that the same will happen in Russia.
- Do you have the feeling that Russia is almost ready to host the World Cup?
Yes, sure. Your organizers will certainly appreciate what needs to be improved and will do so. But in general, everything is OK. And the stadiums - in the first place. I can’t rate hotels and other infrastructure in different cities, because I was in only one.
It is important that I did not hear from anyone at all a single bad word about the fact that there were some negative manifestations at the Confederations Cup like racism, violence and something like that. Neither at the level of official information, nor at the level of oral stories and whispers. Nothing! I won't admire it. And I will argue that this is normal. The way it should be.
- the other day he came to Moscow and said that he asked him to help at the 2018 World Cup. If this is true, in your opinion, how can the great Argentinean help us?
Oh, I don't even know. What I am sure of exactly - not in terms of hospitality, since people in Russia will receive guests with all their hearts, I do not doubt it for a second. Maybe Maradona can convince the world, a large part of which listens to him, that Russia is worth seeing, even if you have to fly very far.
- And now about 7 thousand Chilean fans have already flown to the tournament!
So much?! I have no doubt that they have gained an amazing experience.
- True, in one of the first days there was a bad story that was widely covered in the media - a rogue taxi driver "warmed up" a Chilean journalist for a thousand dollars. But the police caught him, and he returned the money.
These things need to be monitored very carefully. When such stories come up, it is not good for the country, but the main thing is that they were accepted effective measures. By the way, I have never heard of this story., - proof of the correctness of the training system for young football players in this country. Let's go back a decade and a half.
Germany And Holland are always in a state of some competition. At that time we had an advantage in terms of the quality of the players thanks to a very good system of youth football education. From 6 to 19 years old, they didn’t teach the game better, probably nowhere. IN Holland much more focused on technical training than on an athletic one. The Germans, in contrast, have always been physically stronger, but technique and coordination prevailed in the long run.
Then there were changes. Holland moved a little towards functional training, Germany- technical. And strongly. With the help of the federation, the Germans launched a new nationwide state program children's football and it became a whole philosophy, strategy. The whole country was divided into 8 or 9 regional centers, in which the federation recruited very good children's coaches. Each region conducted the most powerful scouting, finding all the capable boys. They began systematic work on a weekly basis under a single program, and now it is bearing fruit. What this second German team did at the Confederations Cup is the full result of this strategy.
- Is it a surprise for you?
No. This is a lesson for many countries. Including for Russia and its football union.
Guus Hiddink is an outstanding Dutch coach who has experience in many strong clubs in Europe and several national teams, including the Russian national team. He stands out from other mentors with his extraordinary tactical arrangements with an emphasis on the individual skill of each player individually.
Biography
Guus Hiddink was born on November 8, 1946 in the Netherlands, in the town of Warsseveld. He grew up in a large family of teachers. As a child, his main passion was football. G. Hiddink devoted all his free time to his favorite sport, while managing to help his parents.
Guus Hiddink began his playing career in early age in the city club "Varsseveld", where he was assigned to the position of midfielder. After leaving school, he was enrolled in the Central Institute of Sports Mentors in Overveen, where he was one of the best students and graduated with a red diploma in 1966.
Professional career
After graduation, Guus Hiddink signed a contract with the De Graafschap football club from Doetinchem, while being a team coach for children who are lagging behind in development. He stayed as a children's mentor until 1984, combining this work with the professional activities of a football player.
In 1969, the football player helped De Graafschap reach the first division of the Dutch championship, after which he moved to the Washington Diplomats from the North American football league. Later, Guus Hiddink signed a contract with the San Jose Earthquakes, and some time later he played for the NEK club from Nijmenhem. Gus in 1981 was accepted with honors back to De Grafschap, in which he ended his football career a few years later. On account of Guus Hiddink as a player 500 matches and 80 goals in 15 years of work.
coaching work
Since 1981, after returning to De Grafschap, Guus Hiddink has been an assistant coach. He moved to the same position in 1984 at PSV, where he was promoted to head coach in 1987. Under him, the most titled Dutch club won the Dutch championship three times and the Dutch Cup three times, and also in 1988 took possession of the European Cup (later reformed into the UEFA Champions League). In 1990, Gus signed an agreement with Turkish club Fenerbahce, and the following year he was already the head coach of the Spanish team Valencia.
In 1995, he received an invitation to lead the Netherlands national team. In 1998, the World Cup was held in France, where the Dutch team took fourth place in a hard struggle, losing in the match for third place to Croatia.
After the World Cup, Guus Hiddink headed Real Madrid, with whom he soon took the Intercontinental Cup. But due to disagreements with the club's management in 2000, he had to go first to Real Betis, and six months later to the national team South Korea. What seemed like a regression to all skeptics, in fact, turned out to be the most correct decision for the coach. In 2002, at the World Cup, held in South Korea, under the mentorship of Guus Hiddink, the national team came in fourth place, which is still the country's highest football achievement.
After this success, the mentor returns to work at PSV, where in 4 years he helps the club win three more national championships, one Cup and one Dutch Super Cup each.
In 2005, Gus was invited to the Australian team, which led them to the 1/8 finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where they lost to the eventual winner, the Italian national team, in the very end of the match due to a highly controversial penalty.
At the personal request of Roman Abramovich, he was appointed head coach of the Russian national football team in 2006. The mentor's salary was about 7 million euros. Together with the Russian national team, Guus Hiddink created a sensation at Euro 2008. In the heavy group, Russia advanced to the playoffs from second place, which led the team in the quarterfinals to one of the favorites of the tournament - the Netherlands. But Guus Hiddink found the necessary tactical arrangement, and his team won with a score of 3:1. This caused rejoicing throughout the country. Despite the fact that Spain defeated Russia in the semi-finals, the national team led by Gus shared third place with Turkey. But since the coach failed to bring the national team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the coach announced the end of work with the team.
After that, he signed for Chelsea, with whom he won the FA Cup in 2009. G. Hiddink left the post after the defeat in the Champions League semi-finals from Barcelona.
In 2010, the Turkish Football Federation agreed with Guus Hiddink to work with his national team. He was faced with the task of reaching Euro 2012, but the team did not win the play-offs with Croatia and missed this tournament. Guus Hiddink announced his retirement immediately after his absence.
Then he signed a contract with Anji, which, under his leadership, took third place in the Russian Championship.
After that, Guus Hiddink's career began to decline. First, he failed to bring the Dutch national team to Euro 2016, then he failed the season at Chelsea, the team took only tenth place in the English Championship.
Life after coaching career
Now Guus Hiddink lives and works in the USA. He is an analyst for Fox Sports USA.
He meets with the Dutch citizen Elizabeth Pinas, who is several decades younger than him.
At the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, he coached the Netherlands team, which finished fourth. At the World Championships in Japan and Korea in 2002, he achieved the same result (this time sensational) with the South Korean team. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he led the Australian national team, which, under his leadership, got to the first World Cup in the last 32 years and performed successfully, reaching the 1/8 finals; at the same time he continued to train PSV.
Before the start of the Euro 2008 cycle, on April 14, 2006, he was approved by the head coach of the Russian national team, and took up his duties from July 2006. The contract was signed for 2.5 years, with the possibility of extending for another 2 years if successful. At the 2008 European Football Championship, the Russian team led by him showed the best results in 20 years and unexpectedly won bronze medals, losing in the semifinals to the future European champion.
Player career
Hiddink began his playing career at the amateur club Warsseveld. He became a professional player by signing for Dutch club De Graafschap in 1967. He spent most of his career here and still cares about this club. In 1970, he played for PSV, but, having lost in the fight for a place at the base, a year later he returned to De Graafschap, where he played until 1976. He also played in the North American League for the Washington Diplomats and the San Jose Airswakes before returning home to sign with the Nijmegen. In 1981, he returned to De Graafschap again, where he ended his playing career a year later. During his playing career, he usually played as a midfielder.
coaching career
The beginning of a coaching career
In 1987, Hiddink took charge of PSV Eindhoven, with whom he won the team's first European Cup in 1988. From that moment on, PSV was talked about as one of the three giants of Dutch football, along with Ajax and Feyenoord. Hiddink also won three Dutch football championships between 1987 and 1990.
Netherlands national team (1995-1998)
Hiddink took charge of the Netherlands national team on 1 January 1995. His main principle was the strictest discipline, the commitment to which he demonstrated at Euro 96, when he withdrew Edgar Davids from the national team for negligence in his rules. In the national team, Hiddink adhered to the 4-4-2 formation, with the flanks pushed forward and the support of defensive midfielders. Hiddink left the Dutch national team shortly after losing in the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup to the Brazilians in the penalty shoot-out.
Spanish Primera (1998-2000)
In the summer of 1998, Hiddink led Real Madrid, with whom he won the Intercontinental Cup, but due to bad results in the championship of Spain in February 1999 was fired. In 2000, he took charge of Real Betis, with whom he also failed to achieve high places in the championship, and in May 2000 he left the team.
Team Korea (2001-2002)
In 2002, Korea, along with Japan, hosted the final of the World Cup. The Korean national team played in it as a host. Hiddink in a relatively short time managed to create a good, well-played team. At the World Cup in South Korea, the team achieved a victory over the Polish team in the first stage (2-0), and after drawing (1-1) with the USA and defeating the Portuguese team (1-0), the South Korean team advanced from the group. Having defeated Italy (2-1) in the 1/8 final match, and then beating Spain (1-0) in a penalty shoot-out, the Korean team reached the semi-finals, where they lost to the German team and eventually took an honorable fourth place for it, losing to the Turkish team in the bronze medal match.
One of the reasons for this was provided by Hiddink, thanks to the features government controlled football in Korea, the opportunity to hold a training camp with the national team lasting about three months, preceding the final tournament of the World Cup; none of the leading teams in the world had such an opportunity. Thanks to this, the physical readiness of the Korean national team significantly exceeded the readiness of all its rivals in the final part. Following the results of the championship, Hiddink in Korea was elevated to the rank of a national hero; he was granted the right to free use of a number of modes of transport, hotel accommodation, etc.
PSV Eindhoven (2002-2005)
In 2002, Hiddink decided to return to his native country, and took over as manager of PSV Eindhoven. During his second stint at PSV, Hiddink won three Dutch championships (2002-03, 2004-05 and 2005-06), the 2005 Dutch Cup, and the 2003 Dutch Super Cup. In Europe, in the Champions League in 2004-05, he led PSV to the club's first semi-final in its current form. (PSV won the European Cup, the forerunner of the modern Champions League, in 1988 with Hiddink as coach). This period at PSV made Hiddink the most successful Dutch manager in history.
Australia national team (2005-2006)
In July 2005, Hiddink also became the head coach of the Australian national team, which was tasked with getting to the World Cup in Germany. The Dutchman managed to lead the team to the final of the 2006 World Cup, and in the play-offs, the Uruguay team was beaten in a penalty shootout. The Australians went to the world championship for the first time since 1974.
IN group tournament 2006 World Cup Australia first defeated Japan (3:1), then lost to Brazil (0:2), and in decisive match achieved a draw with Croatia (2:2), which allowed her to take second place and reach the 1/8 finals. There, the players from the Green Continent lost to Italy (0:1), and the only goal was scored in injury time from a penalty kick, which experts and fans recognized as more than controversial.
In Australia, Hiddink became one of the most popular people. At matches of the national team, fans unfurled posters "No Guus, No Glory" ("No Gus, no glory"), "In Guus We Trust" ("In Gus we believe") and others. The idea was put forward to introduce a “Gus tax” in the country in order to keep Hiddink from leaving for Russia with the proceeds.
However, in August the Dutchman took up the duties of head coach of the Russian national team.
Team Russia (2006)
In March 2006 in Russian media there was information that Guus Hiddink would become the new coach of the national team after the World Cup. Officially, the contract with the Russian Football Union (RFU) was signed on April 14, after which the Dutchman focused on preparing the Australian team for the tournament in Germany.
In August, the Dutchman took up the duties of head coach of the Russian national team. The debut for him was a friendly match with Latvia, won with a score of 1:0. The start of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign turned out to be unsuccessful for Hiddink: in three home matches, his team lost four points, drawing with Croatia (0:0) and Israel (1:1) and beating Estonia (2:0).
However, on November 15, the Russian team won a beautiful guest victory over Macedonia (2:0) and came in second in Group E, located between the teams of Croatia and England. According to all sports publications in Russia, the match in Skopje was the best match for the national team in several years. Hiddink himself also praised the actions of his wards.
Hiddink's contract with the RFU is designed for four years on a 2 + 2 system. The annual salary of a specialist is two million euros. According to unconfirmed reports, Roman Abramovich became the initiator of Hiddink's invitation to the Russian national team. The coach does not live in Russia permanently, coming to the country from time to time.
On February 7, 2007, Hiddink suffered his first defeat with the Russian national team. IN friendly match against Holland, Russian footballers, who had recently returned from vacation, looked much weaker. The game in Amsterdam ended with the victory of the Netherlands team - 4:1.
In June 2007, the Russian team in qualifying tournament Euro 2008 defeated Andorra (4:0) and achieved an away draw with Croatia (0:0). In September, the Russians beat Macedonia, and then suffered their first defeat under the leadership of Hiddink in an official match, losing on the road to the British (0:3); experts noted, however, the rather high quality of the game and the influence of Konstantin Zyryanov's unaccounted clean goal on its course.
On October 17, 2007, the Russian team took revenge from England by winning in Moscow (2: 1). The main hero of the match was Roman Pavlyuchenko, who came on as a substitute in the second half and scored two goals. Before this meeting, RFU President Vitaly Mutko announced that an agreement in principle had been reached with Hiddink to extend the contract until the summer of 2010, thus showing that trust in the coach does not depend on the results of a single, even a key, match. According to Hiddink's later comments, this added to his confidence in the interest of the Russian side in cooperation, which had a beneficial effect on his subsequent work.
The end of the qualifying round turned out to be extremely dramatic for the Russians. On November 17, 2007, Hiddink's team lost to the Israelis in Ramat Gan in the last minutes (1:2), after which their chances of reaching the final tournament of the European Championship became minimal. However, on the last game day (November 21), the Russian team prevailed over Andorra (1:0), and England unexpectedly lost at home to Croatia (2:3), for which the match no longer had a tournament value. The Russians took second place in the qualifying group E, ahead of the British by one point, and received a ticket to Euro 2008.
The performance of the Russian national team at Euro 2008 was a real sensation. Despite the fact that in the group stage of the European Championship the Russians lost to Spain with a score of 1:4, in the future they, having defeated the teams of Greece (1:0) and Sweden (2:0), advanced to the quarterfinals. The meeting of the Russian team with the favorites of the championship - the team of the Netherlands - also became victorious (in extra time, Hiddink's wards confidently beat the Dutch with a score of 3: 1), as a result of which the Russians advanced to the semifinals and became bronze medalists Euro 2008 (no third place match and bronze medals awarded to both non-finalist semi-finalists). The team's victory was enthusiastically received by Russian fans: on Sunday night, spontaneous mass festivities took place in all cities of Russia according to the same scenario: people went out to the central streets and squares, fraternized, hugged, chanted "Russia, forward!" and congratulated each other on the victory. More than 700,000 people took to the streets in Moscow.
Paying tribute to the role that Hiddink played in preparing Russian football players, the press called the coach a "wizard". After the victory over the Netherlands, the media jokingly called him the “Great traitor” (recalling that the day before the Russia-Netherlands game, Hiddink himself joked that he was ready to try on the role of a traitor). However, immediately after the match, Hiddink asked not to call him that, regretting that he had used this word at a press conference before the match.
In the semi-finals of Euro 2008, the Russian team was defeated by the Spanish national team with a score of 0:3. The Spaniards' rivals in the final match were the German team. On the night of June 26-27, the players and members of the coaching staff of the Russian national team were awarded bronze medals of the European Championship.
In July 2008, it became known that for the successful entry of the national team to Euro 2008, the National Football Academy (NAF) intends to pay Hiddink three million euros - a bonus reward, the amount of which was stipulated in the contract concluded with the coach two years earlier. It was noted that Hiddink will receive one million for reaching the final of the European Championship, one for reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 and one for the semi-finals. At the same time it was reported that a new contract would be signed with Hiddink. However, already at the end of 2008, due to the financial crisis in the country, the leadership of the Russian Football Union had difficulties with paying Hiddink's salary. December Russian oligarch, Chairman of the Duma of Chukotka autonomous region and owner football club Chelsea Roman Abramovich announced its intention to allocate $ 5 million to finance the salary of the famous coach. According to media reports, Abramovich personally spoke with Hiddink and assured him that the country "needs him, and regardless of the financial situation in Russia, all obligations to him will be fulfilled."
December 30, 2008 "for merits in the field of physical culture and sports" Hiddink was awarded the honorary title "Honored Coach of Russia".
Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC have sacked head coach Luis Felipe Scolari after a series of nondescript games in the Premier League. After brief negotiations, Hiddink took charge of Chelsea FC until the end of the 2008/2009 season. In 2009, Hiddink's Chelsea FC won the FA Cup by beating Everton FC 2-1 in the final. Under his leadership, the Londoners reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, where only in the last minute of the second leg they lost a ticket to the final due to the magnificent strike of Iniesta, who equalized the score.
Non-payment of Dutch taxes
In September 2006, the head coach of the Russian national team, Guus Hiddink, appeared before the court in the Dutch city of 's-Hertogenbosch on charges of tax evasion during the period of late January - early February 2006. Hiddink was accused of not paying taxes to the Dutch treasury after returning from South Korea in 2002-2003. In February 2007, the court found Hiddink guilty and sentenced him to a fine of 45 thousand euros (the maximum in this case) and a suspended sentence of 6 months in prison.
Columnist "SE" visited the home of the famous coach, who led the Russian team to bronze Euro-2008.
Igor RABINER
from Amsterdam
Hiddink's smiling dark-skinned driver closed the door of the front seat of the coach's jeep behind me. Fastening my seat belt, for some reason I decided to ask Gus and his girlfriend Elizabeth, who were sitting behind: "Do you know that in your years in Russia, fines were still small and almost no one was wearing seat belts?"
In response, Hiddink chuckled:
“Of course I know. I’ll tell you more. Not only did the drivers themselves not wear their seat belts, but they were also offended when you, as a passenger, touched the belt! They were indignant: “Don’t you trust me? You think I can't drive?!"
For eight years of acquaintance, I managed to study Gus well and did not think that he could surprise me with something. Especially after he once showed the word "maybe" written in Cyrillic in a notebook and in front of my eyes in colors - and very accurately! - painted Elizabeth, what it means. And when I asked why he needed it, he answered: each such word reflects the psychology of people living in the country. And you need to know them in order to work better with the team.
But the story with seat belts, you see, is not weaker.
Guus Hiddink and Elizabeth. Photo AFP
And how Gus knows our history! If he started listing Stalin, Brezhnev, Gorbachev, this would not be surprising, everyone knows them. But when from the lips of Hiddink I heard the names of Gromyko (with mention of the details of the hairstyle of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR) and Shevardnadze ... When the phrase was heard: "In some book I read that Andropov was poisoned" ...
And let someone tell me after that that the coaching profession and success in it are about schemes, line-ups and substitutions. About them too, of course. But first of all - about people.
I approached Hiddink's Amsterdam townhouse on the banks of the Amstel River and got more and more worried every minute. Dozens of times we talked in different hotels. I happened to visit Hus's hometown - Varsevelde - at the presentation of his book, talked with his parents and brothers. But to his house, where Hiddink has been living for eight years, he invited for the first time. A house where you immediately feel the soul. However, how could it be otherwise?
Ten minutes drive from the old center of Amsterdam. Building built in the 18th century. High, sky-high ceilings. Charming view of the river. In the basement there is a fireplace, a bar counter and a huge screen. There, the coach lights a good cigar and watches many matches every day.
One floor above is an office and a dining room. There are many relics on the walls and near them. A hanger with several T-shirts on it. Two of them - the Russian team, scarlet and white. On white - autographs of all players. Of course, this is the memory of Euro-2008.
The whole corridor is covered with pictures. Here is Gus on the coaching bench with Alexander Borodyuk. And here - at the reception of Dmitry Medvedev with the Russian national team and the then President of the RFU Vitaly Mutko. "Have you ever talked to Putin?" - "Only by phone." - "They say you have an excellent relationship with the King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander?" "Last November, he invited me to accompany him on a trip to Korea."
Friday. Amsterdam. At home, Guus Hiddink has one of the main relics - the T-shirt of the Russian national team from Euro-2008. Photo - Igor RABINER, "SE"
But Hiddink is not one of those who like to trump high acquaintances. In my opinion, he more willingly lists much less famous people with whom he maintains contact. And this is not only Borodyuk and Korneev, but also the former sports director of Anji Hasan Bidzhiev, and the manager of the Russian national team Evgeny Savin, and the deputy general director of the RFU for international affairs Ekaterina Fedyshina, and Anji translator Grigory Tikhonov... The latter, by the way, was at Gus's house a week earlier.
So Russia remained with Hiddink in his big heart. And every minute I was convinced of this, not only by T-shirts and photographs, but also by what she and Elizabeth talked about.
CHOIR FOR ELIZABETH AND MATRYOSHKA FOR GUS
- What was the most touching moment during your stay in Russia? - I asked Hiddink. He passed the question to Elizabeth with one touch.
It was 2007, the day of the match with England - the same one in Moscow that Russia won - was the answer. - It was my birthday that day. And late in the evening after the game, in a great mood, we both go to a restaurant in the center. No one knows about it - neither that we went there, nor about the birthday. We have supper. And suddenly a group of players from the Russian national team appears there with a bouquet of flowers, hands it to me and starts singing "Happy Birthday to you!" in Russian!
Gus: - As it turned out, they dined in the same area, through a couple of restaurants. And they found out where we are: they had their own sources of information! Come and start singing! The Berezutsky brothers and many others were there.
Elizabeth: - In the end, who am I to them? It was just incredible and touched me to the core.
Gus: - And me. It was very touching. How can you not miss Russia after this? She holds a special place in our hearts. The culture, the people - they are so warm and welcoming once you get to know them! And open to discuss any topic. In particular, historical - and tsarist times, and Soviet, and post-Soviet. We were very curious to learn a lot of things that were willingly and openly shared with us.
Elizabeth: - Moreover, people corrected me - this, they say, was not in Soviet times, but in another. They did not remain silent out of politeness, did not nod, but patiently explained what and how. And this made our understanding of the issue deeper. Because they don't care!
Gus: - We constantly remember Russia. And now, when someone says something bad about her, we just talk about our experience. You have to be very careful with prejudice. We spent a wonderful time in Russia.
At the PSV stadium, one of the VIP boxes is named after Hiddink. Photo - Igor RABINER, "SE"
- Have you ever cried for years in Russia?
Elizabeth: - There was one stupid story. Before Gus signed a contract with the RFU, I was told so much nonsense about Russia! And I was scared, I even cried a little. She asked: "Maybe we won't go? Maybe you won't sign?" But he was adamant, he was interested.
And here I am for the first time coming to see him in Russia. I'm all trembling. We depart on foot a little from the hotel, and then Gus is seen from some car. She stops and the driver gets out. Then he looks around, starts frantically looking for something, climbs back into the car and exits, holding something in his hands.
I was stunned: it must be a gun! She whispered to Gus: "He will shoot us now!" And the man holds out a pencil and a piece of paper: "Gus, Gus! Sign, please!" And I felt so ashamed...
Gus: - And Gus Ivanovich?!
- What - Gus Ivanovich?
Elizabeth: - Six months before we left Russia, I noticed that he was often addressed: "Gus Ivanovich!" She asked: "Why do people call you that?" He explained, "Because they treat me in a special way."
Gus: I didn't say that. Because there is nothing special about me!
Elizabeth: - Oh, yes, I myself began to make inquiries. At that moment, I was just taking Russian lessons and already knew that your people have two names - their first, the second after their father. She told the essence of the situation and asked: why is Gus called that? The Dutch don't!
And they explained to me that since Gus is treated with great respect in Russia, they gave him a second, Russian, name. And she told it to him. This is amazing!
Gus: - And I also missed the address "Gus Ivanovich" (smiles). We haven't been to Russia since our days at Anji.
- By the way, the President of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov presented you a carpet with your image. Didn't they take you to Holland?
No, it's too big (smiles). Leaving, he presented it to wonderful people who worked at the hotel in Makhachkala, where the team stayed.
Elizabeth: - And how I wanted to pick him up! Gus, did you even take a picture with this carpet?
Gus (thinking) : - I'm not sure, I'll have to look. But sometimes you have to do good people present. How many of them were given to us in Russia!
Ramazan ABDULATIPOV and Guus Hiddink. Photo of FC "Anji"
Elizabeth: - One of the most memorable souvenirs, we keep it at home, is a nesting doll with the face of Gus. And inside - with the faces of the national team players. She was drawn especially for us. And the pictures were given ...
Gus: - We ourselves loved to walk around Moscow and buy paintings - we have a lot of them left. And it’s not that the works of famous artists - they just wandered around the flea markets and looked out for something original.
Elizabeth: - At first we walked along the Old Arbat, but quickly figured out that this was a facade, the tip of the iceberg.
Gus: - One such market was located near the monument to Peter the Great, on the banks of the Moskva River. We walked there very often. And we found two artists whose work we really liked.
BORODYUK HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND THE RUSSIAN SOUL
- Is your famous victory at the head of the Russian team over Holland still remembered here?
Certainly! We did not just win, but we did it very beautifully.
- By the way, the memory of that our victory was not one of the reasons why you were again invited to work with the Dutch team?
Well, definitely not. I was very disliked at that time! I felt it. Do you know what many people presented me with the most? Not even that he beat his country. And the fact that he was overjoyed! "How could you?!" Wait, but this is the victory of my team - and it was Russia at that moment! I'm not so obsessed with the national idea to work in one team and worry about another. Yes, I celebrated with all my heart. For which he then received angry responses by e-mail and not only ...
- What is it about the Dutch character that resonates so much with the Russian mentality and allows coaches to quickly adapt to us?
We are open! And we are very glad when, seeing this, they open up to meet us. Lisa and I went this way and realized that if you more or less integrated into the Russian way of thinking, felt it, then people respond to you in return. Of course, this takes time - but as soon as the Russians begin to trust you, they put their whole soul into it, give themselves to work to the end and even more. That's what happened to the Russian team.
- Openness is good, but somewhat general. Something should contribute to deep penetration into the country.
A huge thank you to everyone I have worked with. All team members. He learned a lot from his assistants Sasha Borodyuk and Igor Korneev. Borodyuk explained to me everything about the Russian soul - and how it is projected onto football. How players from Russia thought before and now. This was invaluable information. Thanks to Sasha, I greatly accelerated my entry into Russian football, it became much easier for me to bring my ideas into it.
Guus Hiddink and Alexander Borodyuk. Photo - Alexey IVANOV, "SE"
- And at the 2014 World Cup, Fabio Capello had no Russian assistants, with the exception of goalkeeping coach Sergei Ovchinnikov.
Recently I saw our former - and very good - captain Semak on the bench next to Fabio! With beard!
- He entered Capello's headquarters after Brazil. And the current Spartak coach Murat Yakin has no local assistants at all. Do you think this is a mistake?
Each coach has his own philosophy and strategy, they must be respected, and I do not consider myself entitled to criticize my colleagues. But he, no matter what country or club he worked in, always tried to get coaches in his staff who know the situation from the inside. After all, not only the team should get used to the coach, but also the coach - to the team. And abroad it is doubly important. In our case, without understanding the Russian soul in general and the Russian soul in football, it would be difficult to achieve much.
- You mentioned Borodyuk and Korneev. Does it surprise you that they have never been head coach in the Premier League, while two of van Marwijk's young assistants at the 2010 World Cup, Frank de Boer and Phillip Cocu, are now in charge of two of the top Dutch clubs, Ajax and PSV? In my opinion, this shows the difference in attitude towards young coaches in the two countries.
I'll tell you about my experience. When I took charge of the Dutch national team for the first time in 1995, we had several former players who wanted to become a coach. And we in the federation helped them. They offered them a good course and the opportunity to work with me in the national team, which they did at the World Cup in France. They were Rijkaard, Neskens and Koeman. And they became coaches.
This is our Dutch tradition, style. We love to educate both young coaches and young players. And now in the national team I do the same thing - only the role of those guys is played by Ruud van Nistelrooy. He was a big player, but that alone is not enough. Now he is moving to new level thinking and at some point he will understand whether he has a desire to do this. And last year I was a consultant at PSV with Philip Cocu. It was a very nice and beautiful gesture from my former player.
As for the same Borodyuk ... The fact that Sasha brought Torpedo to the Premier League with his small budget shows how good a professional he is. I don’t know why he left, but if he made such a decision, then something in the club went wrong. And he was brave enough not to put up with it. I love him both as a person and as a coach.
But I don't think it's possible to generalize. Here Slutsky is one of the coaches of the younger generation, but he already has rich experience in CSKA, they trust him, he wins. Or another friend of mine - Cherchesov, who works at Dynamo. Last fall, I was at their win in Eindhoven against PSV, and after the game he let me look into his team's dressing room. How many acquaintances there were - Gabulov and the rest! I was very glad to see them all.
Guus Hiddink and Leonid Slutsky. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"
SHATOV'S PROGRESS IS NOT Hindered by a Limit
- During the 2014 World Cup, many in Russia missed your attacking football. And you yourself were surprised that our team played anti-Khiddinkov's football - squeezed, overorganized?
I was upset that the team did not advance to the second round. Before the tournament, I hoped that this would happen. Although I was worried about Korea - it is also far from a foreign country to me. But if we proceed from quality, then I thought Russia would come out. Alas, this did not happen, and it seems to me that the first match played a big role here.
However, I repeat: I consider it wrong to judge the work of other coaches. I am ready to talk about my period with pleasure, but not about what happened after.
- Fine. How did you manage to remove the psychological grip on the Russian team? Frank de Boer told me that you give players much more freedom than Louis van Gaal, but not everyone knows how to use it...
Freedom is a tricky concept. It must be understood that it is very closely connected with responsibility. First of all, the player must clearly know the requirements for his position. And, performing them, he can already improvise and create within these frameworks. This is real freedom. And being able to do whatever you want is anarchy!
At first Russian team there was a small problem. The players did their job - but no more. You couldn't blame them for anything - the responsibility was in order. But they could not rise to a higher level.
Guus Hiddink "educates" Alan DZAGOEV in front of Igor Akinfeev and Sergei SEMAK.
- What was the turning point?
As a coach, I had to provide the players with a sense of security. It was necessary to instill that if they would completely surrender to the game and do what they were asked, I would protect them, even if we lose. That the main requirement is full dedication, and for one mistake, not related to irresponsibility, they will not be chased by vzashey.
Gradually they became convinced of this. And they felt free in a good way. And the football qualities of Zhirkov, Arshavin and others initially made it possible to play good football. It was only necessary to liberate them, to explain that the coaches have the same goal as theirs. That we are not enemies!
When football players constantly feel threatened, they are enslaved, intimidated. But their reaction changes when they see that coaching decisions are not based on punishment for wrongdoing. And an honest and fair assessment of their game.
- Many in Russia believe that the current generation of the national team is weaker than the one you coached.
Look here. I am happy for Oleg Shatov, with whom I was very pleased to work at Anji. I'm impressed with the progress he's made. Another proof of this was the match "Zenith" in Eindhoven. There, at the moment of the sharpest counterattack by PSV, he made a dash to his goal and interrupted Depay's pass in a tackle, which could have become an assist. And generally played well.
Shatov for me is proof that talented young Russian players have a very good technical background. He definitely wants to reach great heights - to play for the national team, to be a valuable player for Zenit. Shatov, in addition to his abilities, has the right mentality, a huge drive. And he is not alone.
- Don't you think that a limit on legionnaires prevents his generation from developing? Because of him, guys at too young an age receive too many benefits.
And what is the limit now - 5 + 6, as before? Or 4+7?
- 4+7. But soon, apparently, there will be 5 + 6 again.
This is good.
- But why?! Russian footballers live without natural competition. And top clubs, in order to lure the best of them, give them clearly inflated salaries.
A good, motivated player doesn't think about money first. Of course, he must ensure a good life for himself and his family. But the example of Shatov proves that not all Russians are spoiled by money. If you give Shatov a ruble, he will play, if you give ten, it will still be. Because he loves the game, and the economy will automatically follow.
Much depends on the environment of the player. Yes, you can spoil the young guys with too early high salaries. But you can create a system in the club - when money directly depends on the quality of the game. It will be great to increase motivation, which in its base should come from the love of the game.
Oleg SHATOV pleases Guus Hiddink to this day. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"
- What do you think about the limit?
When I headed the national team, I liked this rule. And not only because the Russian football players had a guaranteed practice, but because it forced the clubs to educate young players. Five on the field meant that there must be at least ten in the clip. And this forced to grow a shift.
In fact, this desire should come from the clubs themselves - but if there is a rule, then it also obliges. If it were not for him, most clubs would have played solid legionnaires, and many clubs would have given up on their academies. So I liked the limit. And he did not interfere with the team.
IN 2018 I HOPE FOR RUSSIA TO GO TO THE SEMI-FINAL
- What do you expect from the Russian team at the home World Cup? Now she is only 33rd in the FIFA rankings. Do miracles happen?
Our duty is to create these miracles. Leaving the group is a must. And then ... I hope to reach the semi-finals.
- Wow! Just like at Euro-2008. Didn't they take it cool?
Yes. This is hard. And this is more a hope than a clear assessment of the possibilities. But if you do not have such concepts as a dream and hope in your heart, why live and work at all?
- By the way, in August 2006, when you started in the Russian team, she took the same 33rd place! And after 22 months she took bronze Euro.
Here! There are more than three years before the World Cup. During this time, you can do a lot. But the federation and coaches should already have clear ideas about which players will play in 2018.
June 27, 2008. Moscow. Guus Hiddink and his bronze team are back in Russia.
Photo Alexander WILF
- Holland is a well-known factory of talents. Russia has big problems with this.
In addition to high-quality work in the academies, it is very important not to be afraid at a young age, at 17-18 years old, to put guys in the first team. That's how it is in Holland.
It is also a pity that the football center of the national teams of the country was never built in Russia. I remember how we traveled around the Moscow region, looking at places for construction. It's a shame that it didn't come true - after all, we have already discussed specific things. Such a center, if built a few years ago, would help organize the entire structure of football and improve the quality of preparation for the 2018 World Cup.
- Last December in Utrecht a large coaching conference of Dutch specialists took place, in which both you and your friend Johan Cruyff took part. Why was it carried out?
Cruyff and I are not exactly close friends, but we respect each other very much. And despite the compliments you have made about Dutch football, we believe that we need to improve. Because now in Holland there is no a large number world-class young talents. Those who, at the age of 23 - 24, are ready to move into best clubs Europe. So they talked about how to improve the level of training of young coaches, and through them - and young football players.
By the way, on the same December days at the headquarters of the Dutch Federation in Zeist, I was pleased to speak to Russian students of sports management. Because the entire football community needs to grow and be updated - and coaches, and players, and managers.
- I know that for the sake of that performance in front of the students of the RMA business school, you left the coaching conference a little earlier and were even criticized for this in the Dutch press.
you are well informed (smiles). But I promised my Russian friends to do it! And I'm used to keeping my word. When journalists asked for clarification about the reasons for leaving, I explained that I had promised to speak to future Russian sports managers and could not let them down.
OLD LEV IGNASHEVICH AND ZHIRKOV, EQUAL TO ROBERTO CARLOS
- Would you advise Shatov, Dzagoev, Kokorin and other young people to go to Europe?
I don't want anyone to think that Hiddink is persuading players to leave their clubs. This is wrong. But in general, after a certain experience in Russia, if they want to take the next step, get into a higher league, get to know a different culture, I am for it. Because the guys will get new experience, and then they will use it in their native country.
Once I had several conversations with Wenger - he called about Arshavin before signing him. What kind of player Andrei was, Arsen knew, but he wanted to understand what kind of person he was. I also spoke with Andrew. "You have to do it. Even if you have a very a good life in Russia". For financial reasons, Russian football players do not need to go to Europe, but for sports reasons, they do. And he respected and encouraged the fact that Arshavin moved to Arsenal.
Andrey Arshavin is one of Guus Hiddink's favorite footballers. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"
- Why did he shine only at the beginning of his career in the "Gunners"? Why didn’t he rise to the level that he showed in famous match in Liverpool?
I wouldn't say he only had one great performance when he scored four goals at Anfield. In the first one and a half or two seasons, Arshavin had many strong matches. What happened next, I don't know. Maybe the most intense competition has affected, maybe somewhere the age has already begun to approach. But I like that he decided to do it and at first he looked very convincing at Arsenal.
- Maybe if Akinfeev did the same, he would move to a new level? And did not make fatal mistakes at the 2014 World Cup?
Even the strongest player can make a mistake. Well, in general, Igor had the potential to play in one of the top teams in Europe. By now, that moment has probably already passed. If he wanted to, he should have done it 3-5 years ago. But even now I am happy to follow the achievements in CSKA of him and another group of guys with whom we worked together.
- Are you surprised that the 35-year-old Ignashevich is still at the heart of the national team?
He has great experience! Ignashevich is an old lion, and the young must try hard to force him out. So they fail, and the lion is still strong. Well done, Sergey!
- Largely thanks to you, a whole group of our players went to England, but did not become stars there.
Here Elizabeth loves Pavlyuchenko. He's in her Hall of Fame! (laughs.)
It was Guus Hiddink who managed to wake up Roman PAVLYUCHENKO in the form of the national team.
Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"
- Of course, on her birthday, when Russia beat England, it was Pavlyuchenko who made a double. And by the way, he told me that in his life he personally played for two coaches - Vladimir Fedotov and you.
I remember Fedotov, we met several times in the office of the Moscow club, where he was one of the leaders. Roman is a great guy! As did Bill. David Moyes called me about him and I said, "You have to take him because he's a fantastic player." So talented and smart! I also love Yuri (Zhirkov. - Note. "SE") - a special person, not like others.
- Is he more closed and silent?
I was fine with him, we got on very well. In general, of all the players with whom I dealt for coaching career, Zhirkov is the most gifted lefty! Of course, also Roberto Carlos. But what Yuri could do is amazing.
They are almost the same. Zhirkov is a huge talent, he could deal with anyone one on one. I loved to look at him. And Chelsea... There are injuries and competition with Ashley Cole. By the way, they could have a very good bunch if Yuri played over Ashley. Imagine it! But such an opportunity was extremely rare.
- Was it difficult to convince Zhirkov to become an extreme defender? He has always considered himself an offensive player.
Yes, but it's about the same as with Roberto Carlos. Officially, they appear on the diagram as extreme defenders. But de facto they play wingers, because they have enough technique and strength to dominate on the entire flank. They are more forwards than defenders. And there is always an opportunity to insure them, to cover the free zone. I hope Zhirkov still proves himself in Dynamo.
Guus HIDDINK is the first who saw a talented defender in Yuri ZHIRKOV.
Photo by Alexey IVANOV, "SE"
- But Saenko - the only legionnaire at Euro-2008 - will not show himself as a player. Did you hear that he got fat and ended his career?
In my time, Ivan played in the Bundesliga, and there the players are superbly prepared physically. Better than anywhere. And then there were no complaints about his form!
- We have listed those who, thanks to you, got to England, but we forgot about you. Do you communicate regularly with Roman Abramovich?
I wouldn't say. But I know that we will always receive a warm welcome at Chelsea. When I left there, I was told: we will always be glad to see you!
- Do you regret that the work with the Blues in the spring of 2009, when you took the FA Cup and were very close to the Champions League final, did not last long?
It was a wonderful experience. But I was devoted to the Russian team and after a spell at Chelsea I had to focus on it. He said to Akinfeev, Ignashevich, Arshavin and the rest: "I won't leave you!" And with Abramovich, we agreed on the same in advance. Although I was very good both in the Premier League and in London. But Moscow is beautiful too!
May 30, 2009. London. Chelsea 2-1 Everton. Head coach England team Fabio CAPELLO congratulates Guus Hiddink on the FA Cup. Photo AFP
- Do you understand now what happened in Maribor? After all, it absolutely did not fit into the logic of that qualifying round.
Yes, because with the same Germany both matches played more than decently. And it's a pity that that team couldn't go to South Africa. We only missed one goal. But I think that it was not the ball that we conceded in Maribor that decided everything.
- And what?
We didn't secure a reliable scoring distance in Moscow when we should have. We played very well, led - 2:0, had excellent chances to score the third, but instead we missed it under the curtain. This was our game. And when you miss out on what you have played enough in your game, then you often pay off.
- After the departure of Dick Advocaat to PSV, you, who worked at Anji at that time, were not invited to return to the Russian team?
I don't remember. But I'm not offended. The federation decided that Russian football would enter another era. Eru Fabio. Their right. And I worked in the Russian national team for a decent period. But there was a change of presidents - Mutko focused on the Ministry of Sports, and Fursenko came to the RFU instead. We only had one courtesy meeting with him. There was no talk of a contract extension.
INVITED TO THE NATIONAL TEAM OF THE HOLLAND, WHEN I WAS IN "ANJI"
- You left Anji after the second round of the last championship. Was it supposed to collapse soon?
There was some information that a change in strategy was coming. Not in detail, but I realized that soon the club will be different. Only the owner has the right to determine such things, and I respect Kerimov's decision. But he preferred to say in this situation: "Let's disperse."
At the same time, I really like that in Makhachkala they have kept the academy in its original form and it is still headed by Fuat Usta, my assistant in the Turkish national team. This means that the questions of the foundation in "Anji" are taken seriously. This will definitely benefit the first team, and generally good for the region.
In general, I am glad that Russia was open enough to support my initiative and bring in young Dutch coaches - such as Henk van Stee, who headed the Zenit academy, Jelle Gus, who worked at CSKA. It's not for everyone to be in front of the cameras, but many Dutch people have the knowledge and love to go abroad and train young players.
- Van Stee - now the sports director of "Zenith". Where is Jelle Gus?
Technical manager of the Dutch Football Federation. We work together!
- Were you surprised when you were invited to the national team?
I have been asked to return for many years. One of the proposals followed when I was at Anji. I refused because I had a contract and I liked working with the team. And after some time after parting with Anji, the federation appealed again. And I agreed - because I was free, and it was also about working with young coaches.
Guus Hiddink and captain of the Dutch national team Robin VAN PERSE. Photo AFP
- Why didn't you go to Brazil to look at the future team?
Because on TV I could see many more games than I would have done it live, moving around huge Brazil. And so I saw all the matches, except for two.
- Why did the autumn-2014 turn out to be so difficult for oranges?
Firstly, for the teams that successfully performed at the World Cup, the first time is not easy. The next day after a big party, it is impossible to have fun with the same degree of freshness on another.
- The same thing happened with the German national team.
This is true. And secondly... The World Championship turned out to be successful in terms of the result - this is indisputable. But there were doubts in the style of the game. During the championship, there was a change in the model in favor of a more defensive one, which is not typical for the Dutch style. So we decided to do it for practical reasons, and taking into account the result, this must be respected.
But now it was necessary to make a reverse change - to football, less focused on defense. And at first, this also could not but affect the result, since the players were already used to something else.
- Football players, I heard that they supported you at a difficult moment.
Within the team there was no doubt about the correctness of the path.
- A sea of criticism fell on you. Did you doubt yourself for a second?
No. I was well aware that the players have to get used to me and my style, and I - to them. At the club, when you take over a team in the off-season, you have a month, but here you have a few days. As for criticism, he tried to hide himself from external influence. One thing is normal criticism, and another thing is dirt. But even then it is necessary not to respond with words, but to turn people into your friends with your work.
The start of Guus Hiddink's work in the national team turned out, to put it mildly, not the most outstanding. Photo AFP
- What did you feel when you read: they say, Gus is too old?
Felt younger than ever! In general, you need to ask my assistants and players about this - do they perceive me as an old person.
- Did the federation discuss the early termination of your work?
Never.
- What do you feel when you find yourself in the home arena of PSV and look at the largest VIP box named after you?
I look and think: I know this guy! (laughs.) By the way, earlier a more modest hall was named after me there, and for some reason they decided to promote me a few years ago (smiles). It is a great honor for me, because PSV - big story. Who initiated it, I don't know. I certainly didn't tell them, "You have to put my name there."
- You are known for your ability to prepare teams for final tournaments. That is, the main thing for Holland is to reach Euro-2016, and everything will be all right there?
Yes! (u smiles.)
IT IS TOO EARLY TO CALL PROMES A FIRST TEAM PLAYER
- In the autumn you invited Quincy Promes from Spartak to the national team. How are your impressions?
I often invite 23-25 people to the national team, including one or two talented young beginners. For ten days of training, they get a good experience, and I can get a closer look at the player in such a serious company. Therefore, he attracted Promes.
While he is not yet fully equipped to be a stable player in the national team. But Quincy had recently played in the youth team, and immediately make a jump to main team few succeed. This can only happen with the help of a quality game for the club, which I want for Promes in Spartak.
True, there is one problem with the players playing in Russia. From December to March they do not play. It throws them back. But we continue to follow him. My scouts follow all matches in European leagues, including Premier League. Every Monday we get a full report on the game of each candidate, including Promes.
Spartak player Quincy PROMES managed to attract the attention of the Premier League as well. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"
- Cherchesov hopes that you will invite Buttner as well. Is he in your plans?
The same applies to him as to all "Russian" Dutch. They need to play!
- Is it true that after Euro-2016 you will become the technical director of the federation?
No. I will be free! Let's see what happens during this time.
- Can you imagine Hiddink's third coming to Russian football?
You must not forget my age. I am 68 (laughs). Nevertheless, I get great pleasure from the fact that I am still involved in football. I hope Holland will enter Euro-2016 and play well in the final tournament.
And what will happen after - I do not know. And will I return to Russia - too. Obviously, most of the pages of my football book are already turned. But it is very difficult to predict something and even more so to exclude something. I know one thing for sure: the time I spent in Russia was wonderful.
"SE" thanks the faculty "Management in game types Sports" of the RMA business school for help in organizing a business trip for our observer to Holland.
Coached the same club for almost his entire career. But this is not at all a necessary success factor, as the Dutch specialist Guus Hiddink, who is today one of the most respected coaches in the world of football, readily proves.
Player career
Hiddink was born in Warsseveld in 1946, and it was there that his football career began. At first he was in football academy the club of the same name, and then played in its composition until the age of 21, when he was spotted by the larger Dutch club De Graafschap - it was there that he spent most of his career. Guus Hiddink, whose biography includes far from one club, in Grafshap was noted for playing about 300 matches for him and spent a total of 9 years there. But not in a row - already in 1970, the 24-year-old Hiddink moved to one of the strongest clubs in the country, PSV Eindhoven. However, there he only spent a whole year in vain, and in 1971 he again ended up in De Graafschap, for which he played another five years. But when he turned 30, the club's management did not consider that he was ready to continue to compete for a place in the first team, so Guus Hiddink went on loan to the United States - Washington Diplomats was waiting for him there, where he spent six months. After that, the player went on a one-year loan to the San Jose Earthquakes, again in the United States - it was Gus's longest departure abroad. He spent the rest of his career in Holland, moving to NEC in 1978. And only in 1981, at the age of 35, Hiddink returned to De Graafschap to end his career in his favorite club a year later.
Start of coaching
Guus Hiddink already knew then that he would be a coach, so he returned to De Graafschap not just as a player, but as a playing assistant coach. He sometimes took to the field, but most of the time he helped the club's then coach Hib Rijgrok. A year later, Hiddink was invited to the post of assistant coach at PSV, which was very flattering, because he had to work with then-famous coach Jan Reker. Hiddink spent four years in this position, and as a result was rewarded - after the dismissal of Reker, it was he who was offered the vacant position of head coach - this is how his coaching career began.
Favorite club of the coach
As you know, as a player, Guus Hiddink spent almost his entire career at De Graafschap, and today he is a fan of this club and worries about it. But as a manager, Hiddink has another favorite club - and that's PSV. The Dutch took the risk by appointing a coach with no actual work experience, because Hiddink was only an assistant, that is, he observed, helped, studied, but did not lead. As it turned out, the leadership of PSV did not fail - the coach held his position for more than three years, and during this time the club has achieved excellent results. For three years in a row, PSV won the Dutch championship and the same number of times in a row - the Dutch Cup. It was a real hegemony of the club in the home arena, and on the international one, too, everything turned out very well - in 1988, Hiddink led PSV to victory in the European Cup. But in 1990, Gus could not lead his club to the championship, so he was forced to leave it, but only to return in 2002 and spend another 4 unforgettable years. During this time, Hiddink won the Dutch championship three times and the Dutch Cup once, which made the fans incredibly happy. Twice he confessed best coach Holland - in 2005 and 2006. However, Guus Hiddink coached not only PSV, but also other clubs.
Other clubs in Hiddink
After leaving PSV in 1990, Hiddink went to Turkey to coach Galatasaray, but did not bring success to the club, so a year later he moved to Spain, where he took on Valencia, but even there for 3 years of coaching activities, he was unable to achieve decent results. Hiddink's first success after PSV was Real Madrid. In 1998, Gus was appointed to a coaching position, won the Club World Championship with cream, but failed in everything else, so he was fired, but did not remain without work. The post of coach Hiddink was offered by another Spanish “Real”, but not Madrid, but Betis. But even there, things did not work out for the Dutchman. It is also worth noting the arrival of Hiddink in 2009 at Chelsea, with whom the coach won the FA Cup, but nothing else remarkable happened, so he was fired less than a year later. And, of course, the club that flared up in the Russian arena after the injection of money, but almost immediately went out - "Anji". Guus Hiddink became both a coach and vice-president of the Makhachkala club in 2012, but already in 2013 he left both positions. So far, Hiddink has no longer coached at the club level, but he still had enough jobs in the national teams of different countries.
Hiddink as national coach
Guus Hiddink, whose photo on the Runet can most often be seen in the company of the Russian national team, also coached other national teams. Gus got his first experience with national teams when he left Valencia in 1994 - almost immediately he was appointed coach of his native Dutch team. As a result, he led the national team to the European Championship in 1996 and the World Championship in 1998, but he could not achieve serious success in the final stage, so he was forced to leave. Having missed the 2000 European Championship, Hiddink tried to make up for lost time, having achieved the entry of not the strongest South Korean team at the 2002 World Cup, brought it to an honorable fourth place, after which he left his post anyway. In 2006, the coach brought to the next national team of not the highest order - Australia, but here, too, luck left the Dutchman. From 2010 to 2011, he also managed the Turkish national team, but the results were frankly unsuccessful, so Hiddink did not even finalize before the contract expiration date. However, everyone knows that Gus is best known for coaching the Russian national team from 2006 to 2010.
Gus Ivanovich
The news that the eminent Dutch specialist will become the coach of the Russian national team has become a real boom - everyone was waiting for a miracle from Hiddink. And he did this miracle - at the championship of the year, the Russian team reached the semi-finals and received a bronze medal - everyone has been dreaming of such success for a long time. Since the team performed amazingly, Hiddink's contract was extended for another two years. But happiness could not last forever - Hiddink could not get the Russian team to the 2010 World Cup, as the Russians could not beat the Slovenes in the play-offs. After that, Gus Ivanovich, as he was called in Russia, announced his intention to leave the national team. He was noted for many interesting incidents, for example, when he received - the duet "Sisters Zaitseva" even made the number "Guus Hiddink after his release", which literally blew up the Internet. But Hiddink in Russia will be remembered primarily for his sensational work with the national team at the 2008 European Championship.
Where is Hiddink now?
The last place of work of the Dutch specialist was Anji Makhachkala - so where is Guus Hiddink now, who is he coaching? After he left Anji in 2013, Gus took a break and retired from coaching. They even began to talk about the fact that Hiddink could end his coaching career, because he is already 67 years old, and this is a considerable age, which is difficult to combine with the stress that is inevitable in such a position. But Hiddink denied these rumors by signing a contract with the Dutch national team, which will enter into force in August 2014, after the completion of the World Cup in Brazil. This means that it is Gus who will prepare the Dutch for the European Championship 2016.
Gus' achievements
As a result, Guus Hiddink collected an impressive number of awards during his career - he won the Dutch championship six times, 4 times - the Dutch Cup, once he got the national Super Cup, as well as the European Cup, FA Cup and Intercontinental Cup. With the national teams of Holland and South Korea, he took fourth place at the World Championships, and with the Russian team - a bronze medal at the European Championship.
