Guus Hiddink: A Man Who Knows His Job With A Killer Instinct

(Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich, is known as a rather impatient man.

The Russian billionaire sacked Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese tactician had won two consecutive league titles with the Blues.

His replacement, Avram Grant, guided the Blues to the Champions League Final only to lose on penalties to Manchester United. Grant was soon heading back to Israel shortly afterwards, having "partied ways" with the London giants.

Grant's departure was followed by the much-hyped arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the ex-Brazil World Cup winning coach.

Scolari's reign at the helm of Stamford Bridge's coaching staff failed to meet the expectations of the Russian owner and his close aids, American executive Bruce Buck and Director Peter Kenyon. Hence, Scolari was soon dismissed.

In mid-season, Chelsea were without a manager, yet still involved in the running for all the major trophies, including the Premier League, the Champions League, and the FA Cup.

The Blues needed a man of who could transform their season.

Sven Goran Eriksson, Carlo Ancelotti, Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Mancini and even ex-manager, Jose Mourinho were closely linked with the club, but Roman Abramovich used his close contacts (Piet De Vissier) and brought in Guus Hiddink, the current head coach of the Russian National Team.

I believe this is arguably the best decision Abramovich has made as owner of the club.

I rate Guus Hiddink very highly. Personally, I believe he is one of the most underrated managers ever.

His profile is admirable, he has experience of coaching numerous countries and clubs including Valencia, Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Australia, Russia, South Korea, and now Chelsea on a temporary basis.

His man-management skills are magnificent. He has turned around Florent Malouda's spell at Chelsea, taking the Frenchman from an undesirable flop to a surprising hit.

He wasted no time in settling in at Stamford Bridge—his first match in charge was a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

Hiddink knows his job inside out, he knows his limits, and he has the ability to make the players believe in achieving the "impossible," as he did with South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.

The ex-Fenerbahce SK coach, at the age of 62, still has the passion and desire to win as strongly as ever. I believe Chelsea would do well to tie him down at the club on a permanent basis.

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