What Hiddink’s New Job Could Mean For Chelsea
So, Guus Hiddink has signed a two year deal with Turkey eh?
I don’t know about anyone else but as soon as I heard it was a four year deal, two years of which are optional, I couldn’t help thinking about the significance of that. You see, whilst the press seemed to be saying this deal is a sign that he’s decided to stay away from club football, I’d tend to disagree.
Ok, I accept my theory might just be wishful thinking (in fact I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that’s exactly what it is) but as far as I can see, there’s something pretty coincidental about Hiddink’s deal with Turkey potentially ending at exactly the same time as Ancelotti’s at Chelsea.
Oh come on, go with me on this one. Hiddink knew he had to go back to Russia last June, he always knew he’d come to Chelsea on a temporary basis to do a job. He did exactly what had been asked of him (oh, and won the FA Cup as a bonus) and despite much begging on both the players and supporters parts, he had far too much integrity to go back on his word. That doesn’t mean it was easy for him to walk away though.
Still, walk away he did but there’s clearly been plenty of contact with him since and despite interest from the likes of Liverpool and City, and it being no secret he wanted to manage in England again, he’s shied away other clubs’ interest and found himself something to tide him over that won’t make it difficult for him to come back to us at the end of his and Ancelotti’s contracts.
Sound like a plan?
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I tend to agree and must admit that I thought the same thing when I heard this news. It wouldn’t suprise me if he had been offered a director of football role by Roman (awaiting his next opportunity in the hot seat) but felt that he still wanted to be directly involved with the players as a coach. Taking a two year contract like the Turkey job doesn’t and wont bring him into conflict/competition with Chelsea and could be an ideal solution for both parties…
I would like to wish Guus the very best of luck, he has a special place in the heart of everyone. He’s a fantastic manager and I would love to see him back at Chelsea. I was terrified when I saw him linked with Liverpool etc. although Carlo is doing a good job, I am still not as comfortable as I felt under Hiddink. He was always going to be Carlos back up if things went off the rails like Scolari. Hopefully one day Guus will.be back, he has unfinished business with the champions League…
Would you really take Hiddink in 2012 if he was available? Undoubtedly he is one of the best in the world but he would be 65 or 66 then and while I think he is a slightly better manager than Ancelotti the difference isn’t that big and Ancelotti is 15 years younger than him. Say Carlo wins you an EPL title, one or two cups and a makes a CL semifinal or final, would you really not renew his contract? Seems a very short term view considering Carlo could be your manager for the next ten to fifteen years.
Soon as I heard about the Turkey (2 year optional deal) job, I thought exactly the same. We loved him and what great potential back up. I agree with Chelsea-Alan about the dubious back room staff job and conflicts, recall Jose/Grant. I also think Guus would have got the job ahead of Scolari/Grant had England pipped Russia to Euro qualification with Russia’s failure possibly being excuse enough to slip away. Point is, it would have hurt very much had Guus gone to LFC or City as sean says. Meantime, of course we’re all very much behind Carlo, what he’s done, doing and plans to do but as said, there is no better ‘plan B’ than Guus
Aleksi – I’d take Hiddink as manager in a heartbeat. Yes I realise he’d be 65 then but you only have to look at SAF (who’s 68 now and still not anywhere near ready for retirement) to see age isn’t a barrier to being a successful manager.
Maybe it’s because I didn’t want Ancelotti in the first place but I just can’t see him at Chelsea beyond this contract.
Ancelotti is the better man. Hiddink can only do firefighting jobs, relying on short-term impact. He can’t handle long-term planning or the player-politics that comes with it. He’s always been the same. Like a private tutor called in to give a boost to a struggling student through the last couple of weeks before an exam.
Hey, SC is right … surely not writing off Ance already, that is rather disrespectful of a respected manager?!
CA will never have a better chance to win the PL than this year but his lack of imagination and versatility will find the farmer’s boy out I fear. He’s an Italian version of Benitez
We must remember that Carlo has unfinished business also, how has Chelsea top of the pile and the last 16 of theChampions League not to mention the Qtr Finals of theFA Cup and all with an inherited squad. Carlo has not even had the opportunity to create the side of his own personal choice yet. Two years mays be a bit short term unles the wheels really do fall off under Carlo HOWEVER I do tend to agree simply because I think for absolute certain that Guus believes within that the sky is the limit at Chelsea. The way he was received by both players and supporters alike and what was achieved immediately and in total over 4 months. Its a bit like going out with the best looking sort in the world, a stunner, and pulling the pin on things after a bit of a kiss and cuddle when there is the opportunity later for so much more. If you left you would want some sort of guarantee that the door was open for a return. That was evident on Cup Final day and the after festivities on the pitch and with the cigar afterwards. He’ll be back but probably in 4 years for mine.
Smithy – nice analogy
Still reckon he won’t be taking up the option of two extra years though.
The 2\4 year deal only mirrors the qualifying periods for Euros and WC campaigns. Saying anything else is a bit dumb. Definitely wishful thinking.
Guus was the first person to make me get over my Mourinho hangover and realize we could have organized, winning football that was actually attractive to watch. I have never felt so confident watching chelsea that we where tactically better than the other team. My favourite moment of his time was probably the worst game we had. When he told the media and everyone who would listen that we would attack at the Nou Camp and not be defensive – swiftly followed by us parking the bus for 90 minutes. They actually believed him, was the hysterical thing. Follow that by the domination of barca at home that could easily have ended with us in the final.
So I would be thrilled if he came back for a few years even with his age and then went upstairs (as a director of football, not as a dead person I mean).