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Guus Hiddink relishes prospect of Premier League return
after World Cup
The Russia manager wants another job in England
Hiddink loved the atmosphere during his spell at Chelsea
Stuart James, The Guardian
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Guus Hiddink puts his Russia squad through
its paces before tonight's qualifier against Wales. Photograph:
Phil Noble/Reuters
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Guus Hiddink has opened the door to a possible return to
the Premier League after revealing that he retains a strong appetite and
passion for English football following his successful caretaker spell
at Chelsea. The Russia manager plans to take a break after next year's
World Cup finals but he described England as a "very attractive"
place to work and admitted he is missing the country where he spent the
final four months of last season.
The 62-year-old, who is back in Britain for Russia's World Cup qualifier
against Wales at the Millennium Stadium tonight, enhanced his reputation
during his sojourn at Chelsea, where his arrival rejuvenated the London
club and culminated in victory in the FA Cup final over Everton. The period
left an indelible mark on the Dutchman, who still marvels at the work
ethic he observed in Frank Lampard and John Terry, two players whom he
believes can lead England to World Cup glory next year.
After the finals in South Africa Hiddink intends to rest from football
for a period but, providing he retains his hunger for the game, he envisages
returning, with England a favourable destination. "I had a wonderful
time there and before I worked for Chelsea I was often [watching] the
Premier League," he said. "I love to be in England to smell
the atmosphere. So, missing it? Of course missing it. But I love to work
with the guys in Moscow as well."
Does that mean he has the appetite for a second stint in the Premier League?
"Of course. England is very attractive. It's unique in that the level
of competition is high. But I have to make a judgment whether I stop for
a few months, or half a year or a year, or do something different within
football. I don't know yet. I am ageing in our profession. But as long
as football gives me the energy and I am not repeating myself - because
that is a trap, being a long time in the business that you go on automatic
pilot."
Not that there seems to be much need for Hiddink to change his formula.
Success has generally followed him across the seven countries where he
has managed either at club or international level. Along the way he has
worked with some of the most talented footballers in the world but as
he looks back on the 105 days that he spent at Stamford Bridge at Roman
Abramovich's behest, there is a sense that few players have impressed
him as much as Lampard and Terry.
"I loved to work with them every day," said Hiddink. "Sometimes
I had to put a brake on them. It was impossible to put a bit in the mouth,
like a horse. But every now and then you would have to protect them from
themselves. They are key players for Chelsea and key players for the national
team. England are depending a lot on them but it is encouraging that there
are good young players coming up as well. The England squad is doing well.
England are playing a modern way of football, very intelligent, smart
and attractive. And I think they can go all the way in South Africa."
There was also an encouraging message for Chelsea fans as Hiddink, recalling
the way in which the players responded to their controversial exit from
the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona in May, predicted that
the squad would be galvanised rather than chastened by Fifa's decision
to ban the club from making any signings until 2011 over the Gael Kakuta
affair. "I think the team will get even more energy out of this because
they will react," said Hiddink.
"The team reacted wonderfully when we had some difficult times by
being eliminated in the Champions League. For me, that was such a tremendous
reaction. You get your revenge not by starting to cry but to get more
energy out of it, like when we played against Arsenal [and won 4-1]. It
was a beautiful reaction from the team. So energetic, so full of power;
mental power. And there will be a new determination now."
Wales probable (5-4-1) Hennessey; Gunter, Williams, Collins, Gabbidon,
Ricketts; Edwards, Stock, Ramsey, Ledley; Bellamy.
Substitutes from Myhill, Earnshaw, Cotterill, Vokes, Morgan, Evans, Nyatanga,
Eardley.
Russia probable (4-3-3) Akinfeev; Anyukov, V Berezutskiy, Ignashevich,
Yanbaev; Semshov, Semak, Zyryanov; Bilyaletdinov, Pavlyuchenko, Bystrov.
Substitutes from Gabulov, Rebko, A Berezutskiy, Bukharov, Pogrebnyak,
Kolodin, Kerzhakov.
Referee M de Sousa (Portugal).
Guardian.co.uk,
9 September 2009
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