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ARSHAVIN: HIDDINK - MY FATHER
The era of Guus Hiddink in the Russian national
team is drawing to the end and Sport Express decided to sum up the results
with the captain of the squad Andrey Arshavin.
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Andrey Arshavin Photo SPORT EXPRESS
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"When I was flying to Moscow I had no feeling that
the match against Hungary is to be the farewell with Hiddink," said
the forward of Arsenal.
"But in the Grand Marriott Hotel the entire atmosphere is permeated
with this mood: any conversation would always turn to this direction anyway."
"There was nothing special in the meeting of the team with the coach
or at least I have not noticed anything - everything was as usual. Though
of course everybody understands that Guus is leaving, that he has signed
a contract with a different Federation."
"I do not know what all other footballers will think but I see no
reasons why I should be against Hiddink's heading one of the national
teams that are to play at the World Cup-2010."
"Guus did his best so that our national team advanced to the Worlds
in South Africa but we failed to support him fully. It is clear that he
is a good coach and that is why he received many offers."
"People ask him for help. And it is only for him to decide whether
to take up these proposals or not. If he agrees he will not in any case
impinge upon any personal interests."
"If Guus goes to South Africa it does not mean I will support his
new team, most likely I will sympathize with Brazil."
"To cut a long story short these four years of Hiddink in Russia
were good years for our national team. There was wonderful atmosphere,
our team showed football of good quality in most of the matches."
"Then every football had his best success in the career. Unfortunately
in Maribor we spoilt the impression of Hiddink's work in Russia and thus
he would not extend the contract."
"Of course we can use only Conjunctive mood speaking whether it would
be able that Guus stayed here after the World Cup but I think that it
could be probable."
"When I said before the matches against Slovenia that we could lose
a lot I also meant that we could lose some players. Of course there is
no all time one squad and changes are necessary but maybe the presence
of some players in the national team would be cut after Maribor."
"You know my memories are not divided into moments like Euro-2008
bronze or failure in Maribor. I have one universal positive feeling after
the work with Hiddink and I am sure after some time it will only strengthen.
I say it now and will say afterwards that my work with Hiddink was a successful
episode in the career."
"When the Dutch only heading for Russia I had no apprehensions only
interest what it will be like, what the requirements of the new coach
will be and what it will lead to."
"What did I see after meeting Guus? Firstly it was absolute calmness
and added me self-confidence at once. Then there were interesting playing
exercises, ability to organize the work in the way that everybody liked
it."
"I never had very close relations to any of the coaches and I never
wanted to be a favourite. And I behaved the same way with Guus but now
many people emphasize his special affection to me and in England even
call him my 'father'."
Sport
Express Daily, 03 March 2010
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