Hiddink set to become Turkey coach-Press

February 3, 2010

Guus Hiddink’s future will finally be decided this week. The Russia national coach will soon hear about the future plans of Sergei Fursenko, the new president of the Russian Football Union.

Reports suggest that Fursenko is unwilling to continue paying Hiddink wages in excess of $5 million a year. Turkish media report that the Dutchman is set to take over Turkey’s national team.

Several Turkish media report that Hiddink will succeed Fatih Terim at the the Turkish national team.

Istanbul-based Fanatik newspaper said that Turkey expects the 63-year-old Dutch trainer to sign a contract this Friday so that he could attend the Euro-2012 qualifying draw on February 7 in Warsaw.

Turkey’s National Football Federation neither denied nor confirmed this report or any other media speculations.

Tags: 5 million, dutchman, euro 2012, future plans, guus hiddink, Istanbul, national coach, national football federation, new president, russia, russian football union, Sergei Fursenko, speculations, terim, Turkey, turkish media, wages, warsaw

Juventus dismiss Hiddink link

December 19, 2009

Serie A giants Juventus have denied reports suggesting that the troubled club have approached Dutch coach Guus Hiddink as an ideal replacement for coach Ciro Ferrara.

The former PSV and Chelsea manager is set to become a free agent once his contract as head coach of Russia’s national team expires next summer, fueling rumours that he could head to Turin.

But it now appears, that Juventus have made it clear, through a statement on their official site, that they are not looking to replace Ferrara.

A statement from Juventus read: “Juventus denies reports coming from England of a possible interest for Guus Hiddink. The club has never considered any other coach because Ciro Ferrara has our full backing and is at the centre of our sporting project.”

The Italian club have been struggling of late, slipping to third place in Serie A and getting knocked out of the UEFA Champions League earlier this month after a 4-1 humiliation by Bayern Munich

Tags: Bayern, bayern munich, CHELSEA, ciro ferrara, England, free agent, giants, guus hiddink, head coach, humiliation, italian club, juventus, League, Munich, PSV, replacement, rumours, russia, turin, uefa, UEFA Champions League

Koeman sacked as AZ Alkmaar coach

December 5, 2009

Ronald Koeman was on Saturday sacked as manager of Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar just six months after his appointment as successor to Louis van Gaal.

Alkmaar under Koeman have failed to impress.

The club are fourth and last in their Champions League group ahead of next week’s trip to Belgian side Standard Liege.

And on the domestic front Friday’s 2-1 loss to Vitesse Arnhem left them in sixth place, 16 points adrift of Dutch first division leaders FC Twente.

A statement on the club’s website confirming Koeman’s departure said: “The management no longer see on what sporting basis our relationship with Koeman can continue.”

The statement added that they hoped to announce a replacement “as quickly as possible”.

“I’m disappointed with this decision,” said Koeman, who stepped in after van Gaal’s move to Bayern Munich.

“I had the impression that things were coming together over the past few weeks and that the management had confidence in me.

“Friday’s game against Vitesse was bad, I accept that. But this ddecision has disappointed me greatly.”

Former Dutch international Koeman started his coaching career as Guus Hiddink’s right-hand man with the national team from 1997-1998.

He was also second-in-command at Barcelona from 1998-2000 before taking over at Vitesse Arnhem in 2000.

Koeman has also coached Dutch giants Ajax (2001-2005), Benfica (2005-2006), PSV Eindhoven (2006-2007) and then Valencia (October 2007-April 2008).

THE HAGUE (AFP)

Tags: Ajax, alkmaar, appointment, Arnhem, Barcelona, Bayern, champions league group, division leaders, dutch first division, Eindhoven, giants, guus hiddink, hague, Liege, Louis, louis van gaal, Munich, psv eindhoven, right hand man, ronald koeman, six months, standard liege

Mission accomplished for Germany´s Loew

October 11, 2009

It was mission accomplished for Germany coach Joachim Loew after his squad booked their place at the 2010 World Cup finals as the ten-man Germans sealed a 1-0 win over Russia in Moscow.

A first-half goal from striker Miroslav Klose was enough to give Germany an unassailable four-point lead at the top of Group Four and even the second-half dismissal of Jerome Boateng did not hamper the guests.

“I’m happy about the game, we spent the whole whole week preparing well and the result is very pleasing, of course,” said Loew.

“The team played with discipline and deserved to get the berth at the finals.”

Hamburg defender Boateng started his first international in the cauldron of Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, but a second booking earned him a red card with 20 minutes remaining as Germany finished with ten men.

Russia missed out on a penalty in the dying stages when replacement defender Arne Friedrich appeared to commit a foul on Russia captain Andrei Arshavin in the box, but the referee waved play on.

“I don’t know whether it was a penalty on Arshavin but anyway I think it was the right decision by the referee,” added Loew.

“The red card for Boateng was also justified.”

Klose, the top-scorer at the last World Cup, struck in the 34th-minute after Lukas Podolski and Mesut Oezil combined to unlock the Russian defence.

“We dealt well with the pressure here – it was not an easy place to play,” admitted Bayern Munich striker Klose.

“We used our chance, it was not a top-class game and the match was difficult in places, but Mesut Oezil and I are developing a good understanding.”

Russia play Azerbaijan in Baku while Germany host Finland in Hamburg in their last qualification game, but Guus Hiddink’s Russian side now face two-legged play-off matches if they are to reach South Africa.

“We cannot be happy with the result of course, but the team showed character in the second half,” said Hiddink.

“We were not good enough at finishing our chances or on the counter-attack.

“But we still have a chance to qualify for the finals in November’s play-off.”

Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler was the visitors’ hero with at least four world-class saves and looks set to travel to Africa as the number one choice ahead of Hanover’s Robert Enke.

“That was the most emotional match of my career,” admitted the 24-year-old Adler.

“The fact that the game went so well for me personally makes me very happy, but I only wanted to share in the victory.”

And Germany captain Michael Ballack, who brushed off a first-half ankle injury to lead his side to victory, said his side showed plenty of mental strength to leave Moscow’s Luzhinki Stadium with three points.

“We showed strong nerves and belived in ourselves with some disciplined play,” said the Chelsea star.

“We came here with a positive attitude and it showed in the way we played.”

Joachim Loew’s side safely saw out the game and leave Moscow with the three points.

“The team did well: we needed a bit of luck, but we have made sure of qualifying for the World Cup and you can’t ask for more,” beamed Loew.

MOSCOW (AFP)

Tags: arne friedrich, Baku, Bayern, berth, boateng, captain Andrei Arshavin, captain Michael Ballack, cauldron, class game, Finland, germans, Germany, good understanding, guus hiddink, Hamburg, Hanover, Jerome Boateng, joachim loew, Lukas Podolski, Luzhinki Stadium, luzhniki stadium, mesut, miroslav klose, Moscow, referee, rene adler, right decision, robert enke, russian defence, russian side, South Africa, top scorer, world cup finals

Germany, Italy, close in on South Africa 2010

October 10, 2009

Footballing superpowers Italy and Germany can seal their places at the 2010 World Cup on Saturday as qualifying for South Africa enters the home straight.

England, Spain and the Netherlands are the only European countries to have already secured their tickets for next year’s finals leaving six automatic places still up for grabs.

A further four countries will gain qualification through the play-offs.

World Cup winners Italy travel to Dublin to play the Republic of Ireland requiring only a point to guarantee their presence in South Africa as winners of Group Eight.

Germany are in Moscow to take on Guus Hiddink’s Russia where a win for Joachim Loew’s side will see them safely through from Group Four.

Portugal, semi-finalists in 2006, have struggled in Group One but victory over Hungary last month has given Cristiano Ronaldo and company an outside chance of making it.

The Portuguese are lying third and must take maximum points when they host the Hungarians in Lisbon to keep their slim hopes alive.

Denmark can seal top spot if they beat Sweden in a top-of-the-table clash in Copenhagen.

France are fighting for their World Cup lives in Group Seven.

Distant are the memories of Les Bleus’ stirring journey to the 2006 World Cup final and their penalty shoot-out loss to the Italians as they lie second, four points adrift of table toppers Serbia.

Raymond Domenech’s men improved their prospects of making it to South Africa with a gutsy 1-1 draw away to the Serbs last time out and can guarantee a play-off with victory over minnows the Faroe Islands.

Serbia however could be docked points should there be crowd trouble in their final two qualifiers against Romania and Lithuania.

The threat was made by FIFA after incidents during previous qualifying matches against France, Austria and Romania.

England’s inspired run of eight wins out of eight has left Fabio Capello’s side in the enviable position of being assured top spot in Group Six irrespective of their results against Ukraine and Belarus on Wednesday.

That’s left Ukraine and Croatia in a fierce scrap for the table’s runners-up spot.

Like England Euro 2008 champions Spain have coasted through Group Five leaving Bosnia-Herzegovina favourites to go into the play-offs, something they can guarantee if they beat Estonia.

The tighest table is Group Three where any one of five teams are still in contention with Slovakia needing just one point to ensure automatic qualification.

In Dublin, Ireland are facing an injury crisis with key winger Damien Duff, midfielders Steven Reid and Darron Gibson and striker Caleb Folan all out of contention for the Italy clash in Croke Park.

There is also a doubt over Aston Villa centreback Richard Dunne who was forced to sit out training on Wednesday because of a bruised ankle.

Ireland’s Italian manager Giovanni Trapattoni is optimistic that the Aston Villa defender, a mainstay of the Irish side, will recover in time.

Over in Moscow Russia’s artful Dutch coach Hiddink is plotting the downfall of three-time world champions Germany.

Hiddink compared Russia’s task to the one they faced two years ago ahead of the deciding match with England in Moscow in Euro 2008 qualifying.

“Yes, the situation looks pretty similar but now we are more experienced team than we were two years ago,” Hiddink said. “And I hope we will receive the same furious support of our fans that we had then.”

Germany meanwhile are intent on wrapping up their qualification campaign with a game in hand.

Midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger said: “Our goal is to decide the World Cup qualification places for ourselves on Saturday.

“We are all united on that: We travel to Moscow in order to win.

“We know Russia has an extremely strong team and we respect them.

“But we have already beaten the Russians and to go there standing tall as table leaders. We have every reason to be self-confident.”

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: capello, crowd trouble, faroe islands, four points, guus hiddink, hungarians, italians, italy travel, joachim loew, les bleus, maximum points, play offs, raymond domenech, republic of ireland, ronaldo, semi finalists, superpowers, table clash, table toppers

Ballack relishes Liverpool´s spluttering start

September 1, 2009

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack admits Liverpool’s spluttering start has given his side added belief they can win the Premier League this season.

The Reds are expected to be major challengers for Manchester United’s title but Rafa Benitez’s team have already lost two of their opening four games.

While Liverpool have struggled, Chelsea surged to the top of the table with four wins out of four under new coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“It was a surprise that Liverpool lost twice in the first three games and it gives us extra motivation,” Ballack said.

“All we can do is win games. We have to focus on ourselves and if we play the best we can we can win the league.”

Ballack, who has scored two goals so far this season, believes a rare close-season without any international action has left him refreshed and in peak form.

“It was a good pre-season,” he said. “The finish to last season with Guus Hiddink, the team looked well and played good football and that is what we have done at the beginning of this season.

“The coach is always important to put a good atmosphere in the team and since Carlo Ancelotti arrived he has brought the team back together.

“We are always happy when we are in first position. It is early in the season and we know there is a lot to do to keep this position, but the victories have given us a lot of confidence.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: atmosphere, belief, carlo ancelotti, challengers, CHELSEA, confidence, first position, four games, four wins, guus hiddink, Liverpool, london, Manchester, manchester united, Michael Ballack, midfielder, motivation, premier league, rafa benitez, reds, three games

Essien: I´m stronger after injury hell

July 29, 2009

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien believes the trauma of missing most of last season with a serious knee injury has made him a stronger player.

Essien was sidelined for seven months after suffering a knee ligament tear but still managed to have a major influence on the team when he returned to action.

The 26-year-old helped Chelsea reach the Champions League semi-finals with superb displays against Juventus and Liverpool. He also featured as the Blues gave interim coach Guus Hiddink a winning send-off by beating Everton 2-1 in the FA Cup final.

With that up and down campaign behind him, Essien is convinced the experience has added an extra layer of steel to his personality.

“The injury has actually helped me a lot. I had to be strong to cope with the rehab and all the hard work. I have come back stronger than I was before,” he told the London Evening Standard.

“After coming back from an injury like that I am now tougher mentally. You have to be in order to cope with it.

“I don’t worry about the injury now because I’m the kind of person that when I’m on the pitch I forget about everything and just get on with my football.

“It was really tough to watch the games from the stands and seeing my team go through difficulties last season. I’m the type of person who wants to be on the pitch so that we win and lose together.”

Essien is well established as a key member of Chelsea’s squad but once again there is plenty of competition for places in new boss Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, John Obi Mikel, Deco, Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and new signing Yuri Zhirkov are all battling with the Ghanaian to make the starting eleven, but Essien expects the competition to raise standards at the club even higher.

“I think we have one of the best midfields in the world,” he said. “When you look at who we have you can see some good quality. We are strong now, but maybe we will be stronger in the future.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, fa cup final, florent malouda, frank lampard, ghana, guus hiddink, interim coach, Joe Cole, John Obi, john obi mikel, juventus, knee injury, knee ligament tear, Liverpool, london, london evening standard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, midfielder, Mikel, new boss, rehab, semi finals, seven months, Yuri Zhirkov

Japan coach Okada too bubbly?

June 8, 2009

As expected, Japan booked their place in next year’s World Cup soccer finals with two games to spare, sparking wild celebrations after a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan on Saturday.

Perhaps he had celebrated too much on the flight back from Tashkent, but less than 24 hours later Japan coach Takeshi Okada was talking about reaching the World Cup semi-finals in South Africa. It is hard to imagine Spain’s Vicente del Bosque or England’s Fabio Capello losing much sleep.

The Japanese have had a bit of a bee in their bonnet ever since South Korea stole their thunder by becoming the first Asian side to reach the last four in 2002, when the two countries co-hosted the tournament.

An embarrassing flop at the 2006 finals in Germany under Brazilian coach Zico stung even more – so much so that Japan’s best player Hidetoshi Nakata lay sobbing on the pitch after their last match and promptly quit the game. Japan have done little since to suggest they are on the verge of breaking into the world’s top four.

Okada is no Guus Hiddink, who masterminded South Korea’s remarkable run to the 2002 semi-finals.

Asia’s allotment of four automatic World Cup berths, with a possible fifth via a playoff, means the likes of Japan, South Korea and Australia can hardly fail to qualify.

It is what happens once they get there that counts and only South Korea – and plucky North Korea in England at the 1966 finals – have made any real impact on the world’s biggest tournament thus far.

Spain showed they have taken the game to another level with their inspired Euro 2008 triumph, England have improved beyond recognition under Capello, while Brazil and Argentina will also be among the favourites in South Africa. Japan still lag behind South Korea, and arguably Australia, in Asia.

Okada’s bravado raised a few eyebrows, and may have put unnecessary pressure on the Japanese.

Photo credits: REUTERS/Issei Kato (file photos)

(Corrects paragraph 8 to … Euro 2008 …, not … Euro 2006)

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Tags: africa japan, Argentina, Asia, asian side, Australia, best player, bravado, brazil, cup berths, England, euro 2008, fabio capello, game japan, Germany, guus hiddink, issei, j league, Japan, japan coach, last match, North Korea, okada, photo credits, semi finals, South Africa, south korea, Spain, Takeshi Okada, Tashkent, vicente del bosque, World Cup, world cup soccer, world cup soccer finals

Hiddink dances into sunset with message for Chelsea

May 31, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Guus Hiddink admitted Chelsea’s riotous dance party after the FA Cup final was the perfect way to end his brief reign, but the departing Blues manager wants his side’s victory over Everton to signal a more sedate period at Stamford Bridge.

Hiddink joined Chelsea’s stars in a wild dressing room celebration at Wembley on Saturday, which saw even Roman Abramovich lose his inhibitions and throw a few shapes alongside Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and company.

A first trophy for two years does that kind of thing to a club who had grown used to such occasions during Jose Mourinho’s reign.

But, while Hiddink was delighted to savour every moment of a perfect farewell before resuming his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis, the Dutchman believes it is the Mourinho era that Abramovich must recreate if Chelsea are to enjoy more champagne-soaked celebrations in the future.

Since Mourinho was eased out after a bitter power struggle in September 2007, Chelsea have been through three managers and Abramovich is set to appoint a fourth, most likely AC Milan’s Carlo Ancelotti, in the next week.

Hiddink believes that constant change has had a negative effect on the players and he wants Abramovich to stick with his new man for the good of the squad.

"We had a nice dance party with everyone participating, the players and the staff," Hiddink said. "We have a multi-cultural squad and you must see the African players; to see Essien break-dance is a joy.

"I did some good moves, the African way. At least that’s what I was thinking!

"Roman danced with us. He is not a man of many words but he was in the middle of the party.

"It was emotional in the dressing room because we were aiming for this cup.

"We had this beautiful African dance, then I gathered the players and technical staff in another room because I won’t get another opportunity now to speak to them.

"I gave a five minute speech to thank them in a rather emotional way for the way we have worked together in the last four months.

"Now I think stability is a big need for the club. They have had too many changes in the past years and they recognise that themselves.

"They need a long-term strategy so that they can build a team and keep up their high performance.

"The players know what they are capable of. This victory might be the foundation for the future. They have shown they can do it."

After falling behind to Louis Saha’s 25 second opener, the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, Chelsea gradually overpowered Everton.

Didier Drogba equalised with a header from Florent Malouda’s cross in the 21st minute and Frank Lampard gave Chelsea their fifth FA Cup when he drove a long-range shot past Tim Howard after 72 minutes.

Hiddink refused to rule out managing another Premier League club, or even Chelsea, in the future, but for now he will visit his father before focusing on leading Russia to the 2010 World Cup finals.

He will always have a place in the hearts of Chelsea’s players and fans after one of the most successful caretaker manager spells of all-time.

When Hiddink replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari in February he took over a squad in danger of stagnating, but his direct, open approach produced a run of just one defeat in his 22 matches.

And were it not for some dubious decisions by referee Tom Henning Ovrebo in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona, Hiddink would have taken Chelsea to two finals.

He admitted that controversial defeat was the only disappointment of his time in England.

"It would have been even more perfect if we had been somewhere a few days ago playing in another big final," Hiddink said.

"That is the only regret I have. I would have loved to play Man Utd in the Champions League final, but it did not happen.

"I feel sadness to be leaving because the attitude from everyone was superb. On the other hand leaving with silverware gives a feeling of satisfaction.

"This is the best way. You can say goodbye easier with a cup."

Tags: ac milan, african dance, Barcelona, bitter power struggle, break dance, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, dance party, dressing room, dutchman, emotional way, England, FA Cup, fa cup final, frank lampard, good moves, guus hiddink, inhibitions, John Obi, john obi mikel, Jose, jose mourinho, Louis, luiz felipe scolari, man of many words, Michael Essien, Mikel, Milan, minute speech, new man, premier league, russia, stamford bridge, tim howard, Tom Henning Ovrebo, Wembley

Euro anger can help Chelsea in FA Cup final: Hiddink

May 27, 2009

COBHAM (AFP) – Guus Hiddink expects Chelsea to use the pain of their Champions League defeat by Barcelona as motivation to win Saturday’s FA Cup final against Everton.

Hiddink and his players are still so frustrated by the controversial nature of their European exit that many vowed not to watch Wednesday’s final between Manchester United and Barcelona.

The Blues felt they were harshly treated by referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who turned down four strong penalty claims before Andreas Iniesta scored the decisive goal in stoppage time.

The agony lingers at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea have a chance to finish the season on a high note by winning their first trophy for two years.

Hiddink, who will be in charge for the final time before resuming his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis, is determined to mark his spell with a trophy and wants his players to use the Barca match as a spur to success.

“Of course you can play out of anger. It is always good to use that. The internal motivation is high in the team,” Hiddink said.

“Bit by bit, day by day I’m getting rid of the anger from the Barcelona match a little bit, but if you push the right button in my soul you will find a bit of anger.

“Chelsea did a great performance in the second leg and we know this injustice. You can cope better with the injustice if you lose for football reasons.”

Hiddink’s relationship with Blues owner Roman Abramovich was key to his decision to help out Chelsea on an interim basis and he admitted the Russian had consoled him after the Barca defeat.

“After the Barcelona game I was not in the best state of mind. Then I had a conversation with Roman and he said be proud, because we made a good impression on the world, especially in the second game,” Hiddink said.

“But we knew what the situation was. I had a full commitment in Russia. It is very obvious that we should continue over there.”

Although the FA Cup was low on Chelsea’s list of targets at the start of the season, Hiddink is adamant a Wembley victory this weekend is more than just a consolation prize.

“A final is never an anti-climax. You have to be in finals at a big club and we are very happy to be there,” Hiddink said.

“To play a final with worldwide attention and win some silverware is perfect.

“Analysing this season, they would have liked to fight until the end for the title and be in the Champions League final. But the Cup is not a second prize.”

Hiddink, who is boosted by the return to fitness of England midfielder Frank Lampard and Brazil defender Alex, could be replaced by AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian is reported to have agreed a three-year contract with Chelsea, although the deal is yet to be rubber-stamped.

Hiddink is confident he will be leaving a squad, who with an injection of youth, are capable of competing with Manchester United next season.

“I’ve enjoyed being here and working with the guys. They have responded well and they are still eager to get a lot of prizes,” Hiddink said.

“The board know they have to renew the squad a little bit. Some are at the age of 30 but they are still ambitious. They need some younger players alongside them.

“If you have a direct but demanding relationship they will respond. I expected to have to fight with big names to get them on the right track to perform but there was no such fight needed.”