Hiddink set to end coaching career

Updated November 28, 2012 09:42:19

Former Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink says he intends to end his illustrious coaching career at the end of the current season with Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala.

Hiddink, who coached the Socceroos to their first World Cup appearance in 32 years in 2006, also led the Netherlands and South Korea to World Cup semi-finals and took Russia to the last four of the European Championships.

In club football he has been just as successful winning six Eredivisie titles and a European Cup with PSV Eindhoven, plus an Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid and FA Cup with Chelsea.

After a disappointing spell in charge of Turkey, who he failed to lead to the 2012 European Championships, Hiddink joined Anzhi in February and at the mid-point of the Russian season has the side second in the ladder.

"I've still got the energy and still get a real buzz each time I step out onto a pitch, but I have to be careful not to stay on too long," Hiddink told Dutch TV.

"I still find football so wonderful that I'll likely stay in the milieu," he added, suggesting he could train young coaches or young players.

The 66-year-old, whose contract runs out with Anzhi in mid-2013, did admit the prospect of a run at the Champions League with Anzhi next season could tempt him to stay on a year longer.

The Dagestan club, who boasts Samuel Eto'o in attack, is three points behind Russian leaders CSKA Moscow.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, socceroos, russian-federation

First posted November 28, 2012 07:16:59

View the original article here

'No chance' of Hiddink joining Chelsea for now

Updated April 16, 2011 09:56:00

Guus Hiddink's agent has ruled out any prospect of the Dutchman becoming Chelsea's coach for the start of the new season in August, if the London club decides to sack Carlo Ancelotti.

Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told Reuters on Friday that the former Socceroos coach, who coached Chelsea for a brief spell in 2009, would remain in charge of Turkey until at least the end of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign in November.

"No chance," Van Nieuwenhuizen said in a telephone interview when asked if there was a possibility of Hiddink joining the Stamford Bridge team for the start of the 2011-12 season.

"Guus has always honoured his contracts and when he signed (with the Turkish FA) he guaranteed them he would not leave until the deal had expired."

Hiddink agreed a four-year contract, with the final two years optional, in February 2010.

Earlier on Friday Ancelotti said it would be "no problem" if he was sacked at the end of this season, a campaign which looks like being trophyless for Chelsea.

"I don't know what my future is," the Italian told a news conference. "At the end of the season I think the club can decide if I continue here or (if) they want to change."

Playoff hopes

Turkey, which reached the Euro 2008 semi-finals, has struggled to qualify for the 2012 tournament following two successive defeats including a 1-0 upset by Azerbaijan.

It revived its hopes when last month's 2-0 win over Austria put them third in Group A, six points adrift of leaders Germany and one behind Belgium.

"There's still a chance of them finishing second and qualifying for the playoff," said Van Nieuwenhuizen.

"Even if they lose their next qualifier (on June 3) against Belgium they're still mathematically not out of it, meaning Guus won't be free until mid or late November at the earliest."

Hiddink has a good relationship with Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich and the 64-year-old coach has said several times he could take a sporting director role at Stamford Bridge when his coaching career is over.

Van Nieuwenhuizen also ruled out the prospect of Hiddink combining the Turkey and Chelsea jobs, just like he did two years ago when he led the Londoners to FA Cup final glory at the same time as working as Russia coach.

As for the Dutchman's future beyond this year his agent said: "Let's wait and see".

- Reuters

First posted April 16, 2011 11:34:00

View the original article here