Columnist "SE" visited the home of the famous coach, who led the Russian team to bronze Euro-2008.

Igor RABINER
from Amsterdam

Hiddink's smiling dark-skinned driver closed the door of the front seat of the coach's jeep behind me. Fastening my seat belt, for some reason I decided to ask Gus and his girlfriend Elizabeth, who were sitting behind: "Do you know that in your years in Russia, fines were still small and almost no one was wearing seat belts?"

In response, Hiddink chuckled:

“Of course I know. I’ll tell you more. Not only did the drivers themselves not wear their seat belts, but they were also offended when you, as a passenger, touched the belt! They were indignant: “Don’t you trust me? You think I can't drive?!"

For eight years of acquaintance, I managed to study Gus well and did not think that he could surprise me with something. Especially after he once showed the word "maybe" written in Cyrillic in a notebook and in front of my eyes in colors - and very accurately! - painted Elizabeth, what it means. And when I asked why he needed it, he answered: each such word reflects the psychology of people living in the country. And you need to know them in order to work better with the team.

But the story with seat belts, you see, is not weaker.

Guus Hiddink and Elizabeth. Photo AFP

And how Gus knows our history! If he started listing Stalin, Brezhnev, Gorbachev, this would not be surprising, everyone knows them. But when from the lips of Hiddink I heard the names of Gromyko (with mention of the details of the hairstyle of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR) and Shevardnadze ... When the phrase was heard: "In some book I read that Andropov was poisoned" ...

And let someone tell me after that that the coaching profession and success in it are about schemes, line-ups and substitutions. About them too, of course. But first of all - about people.

I approached Hiddink's Amsterdam townhouse on the banks of the Amstel River and got more and more worried every minute. Dozens of times we talked in different hotels. I happened to visit Hus's hometown - Varsevelde - at the presentation of his book, talked with his parents and brothers. But to his house, where Hiddink has been living for eight years, he invited for the first time. A house where you immediately feel the soul. However, how could it be otherwise?

Ten minutes drive from the old center of Amsterdam. Building built in the 18th century. High, sky-high ceilings. Charming view of the river. In the basement there is a fireplace, a bar counter and a huge screen. There, the coach lights a good cigar and watches many matches every day.

One floor above is an office and a dining room. There are many relics on the walls and near them. A hanger with several T-shirts on it. Two of them - the Russian team, scarlet and white. On white - autographs of all players. Of course, this is the memory of Euro-2008.

The whole corridor is covered with pictures. Here is Gus on the coaching bench with Alexander Borodyuk. And here - at the reception of Dmitry Medvedev with the Russian national team and the then President of the RFU Vitaly Mutko. "Have you ever talked to Putin?" - "Only by phone." - "They say you have an excellent relationship with the King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander?" "Last November, he invited me to accompany him on a trip to Korea."

Friday. Amsterdam. At home, Guus Hiddink has one of the main relics - the T-shirt of the Russian national team from Euro-2008. Photo - Igor RABINER, "SE"

But Hiddink is not one of those who like to trump high acquaintances. In my opinion, he is more willing to list far less famous people with whom he maintains contact. And this is not only Borodyuk and Korneev, but also the former sports director of Anji Hasan Bidzhiev, and the manager of the Russian national team Evgeny Savin, and the deputy general director of the RFU for international affairs Ekaterina Fedyshina, and Anji translator Grigory Tikhonov... The latter, by the way, was at Gus's house a week earlier.

So Russia remained with Hiddink in his big heart. And every minute I was convinced of this, not only by T-shirts and photographs, but also by what she and Elizabeth talked about.

CHOIR FOR ELIZABETH AND MATRYOSHKA FOR GUS

- What was the most touching moment during your stay in Russia? - I asked Hiddink. He passed the question to Elizabeth with one touch.

It was 2007, the day of the match with England - the same one in Moscow that Russia won - was the answer. - It was my birthday that day. And late in the evening after the game, in a great mood, we both go to a restaurant in the center. No one knows about it - neither that we went there, nor about the birthday. We have supper. And suddenly a group of players from the Russian national team appears there with a bouquet of flowers, hands it to me and starts singing "Happy Birthday to you!" in Russian!

Gus: - As it turned out, they dined in the same area, through a couple of restaurants. And they found out where we are: they had their own sources of information! Come and start singing! The Berezutsky brothers and many others were there.

Elizabeth: - In the end, who am I to them? It was just incredible and touched me to the core.

Gus: - And me. It was very touching. How can you not miss Russia after this? She holds a special place in our hearts. The culture, the people - they are so warm and welcoming once you get to know them! And open to discuss any topic. In particular, historical - and tsarist times, and Soviet, and post-Soviet. We were very curious to learn a lot of things that were willingly and openly shared with us.

Elizabeth: - Moreover, people corrected me - this, they say, was not in Soviet times, but in another. They did not remain silent out of politeness, did not nod, but patiently explained what and how. And this made our understanding of the issue deeper. Because they don't care!

Gus: - We constantly remember Russia. And now, when someone says something bad about her, we just talk about our experience. You have to be very careful with prejudice. We spent a wonderful time in Russia.

At the PSV stadium, one of the VIP boxes is named after Hiddink. Photo - Igor RABINER, "SE"

- Have you ever cried for years in Russia?

Elizabeth: - There was one stupid story. Before Gus signed a contract with the RFU, I was told so much nonsense about Russia! And I was scared, I even cried a little. She asked: "Maybe we won't go? Maybe you won't sign?" But he was adamant, he was interested.

And here I am for the first time coming to see him in Russia. I'm all trembling. We depart on foot a little from the hotel, and then Gus is seen from some car. She stops and the driver gets out. Then he looks around, starts frantically looking for something, climbs back into the car and exits, holding something in his hands.

I was stunned: it must be a gun! She whispered to Gus: "He will shoot us now!" And the man holds out a pencil and a piece of paper: "Gus, Gus! Sign, please!" And I felt so ashamed...

Gus: - And Gus Ivanovich?!

- What - Gus Ivanovich?

Elizabeth: - Six months before we left Russia, I noticed that he was often addressed: "Gus Ivanovich!" She asked: "Why do people call you that?" He explained, "Because they treat me in a special way."

Gus: I didn't say that. Because there is nothing special about me!

Elizabeth: - Oh, yes, I myself began to make inquiries. At that moment, I was just taking Russian lessons and already knew that your people have two names - their first, the second after their father. She told the essence of the situation and asked: why is Gus called that? The Dutch don't!

And they explained to me that since Gus is treated with great respect in Russia, they gave him a second, Russian, name. And she told it to him. This is amazing!

Gus: - And I also missed the address "Gus Ivanovich" (smiles). We haven't been to Russia since our days at Anji.

- By the way, the President of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov presented you a carpet with your image. Didn't they take you to Holland?

No, it's too big (smiles). Leaving, he presented it to wonderful people who worked at the hotel in Makhachkala, where the team stayed.

Elizabeth: - And how I wanted to pick him up! Gus, did you even take a picture with this carpet?

Gus (thinking) : - I'm not sure, I'll have to look. But sometimes you have to give good people gifts. How many of them were given to us in Russia!

Ramazan ABDULATIPOV and Guus Hiddink. Photo of FC "Anji"

Elizabeth: - One of the most memorable souvenirs, we keep it at home, is a nesting doll with the face of Gus. And inside - with the faces of the national team players. She was drawn especially for us. And the pictures were given ...

Gus: - We ourselves loved to walk around Moscow and buy paintings - we have a lot of them left. And it’s not that the works of famous artists - they just wandered around the flea markets and looked out for something original.

Elizabeth: - At first we walked along the Old Arbat, but quickly figured out that this was a facade, the tip of the iceberg.

Gus: - One such market was located near the monument to Peter the Great, on the banks of the Moskva River. We walked there very often. And we found two artists whose work we really liked.

BORODYUK HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND THE RUSSIAN SOUL

- Is your famous victory at the head of the Russian team over Holland still remembered here?

Certainly! We did not just win, but we did it very beautifully.

- By the way, the memory of our victory was not one of the reasons why you were again invited to work with the Dutch team?

Well, definitely not. I was very disliked at that time! I felt it. Do you know what many people presented me with the most? Not even that he beat his country. And the fact that he was overjoyed! "How could you?!" Wait, but this is the victory of my team - and it was Russia at that moment! I'm not so obsessed with the national idea to work in one team and worry about another. Yes, I celebrated with all my heart. For which he then received angry responses by e-mail and not only ...

- What is it about the Dutch character that resonates so much with the Russian mentality and allows coaches to quickly adapt to us?

We are open! And we are very glad when, seeing this, they open up to meet us. Lisa and I went this way and realized that if you more or less integrated into the Russian way of thinking, felt it, then people respond to you in return. Of course, this takes time - but as soon as the Russians begin to trust you, they put their whole soul into it, give themselves to work to the end and even more. That's what happened to the Russian team.

- Openness is good, but somewhat general. Something should contribute to deep penetration into the country.

A huge thank you to everyone I have worked with. All team members. He learned a lot from his assistants Sasha Borodyuk and Igor Korneev. Borodyuk explained to me everything about the Russian soul - and how it is projected onto football. How players from Russia thought before and now. This was invaluable information. Thanks to Sasha, I greatly accelerated my entry into Russian football, it became much easier for me to bring my ideas into it.

Guus Hiddink and Alexander Borodyuk. Photo - Alexey IVANOV, "SE"

- And at the 2014 World Cup, Fabio Capello did not have Russian assistants, with the exception of goalkeeping coach Sergei Ovchinnikov.

Recently I saw our former - and very good - captain Semak on the bench next to Fabio! With beard!

- He entered Capello's headquarters after Brazil. And the current Spartak coach Murat Yakin has no local assistants at all. Do you think this is a mistake?

Each coach has his own philosophy and strategy, they must be respected, and I do not consider myself entitled to criticize my colleagues. But he himself, no matter what country or club he worked in, always tried to get coaches into his staff who know the situation from the inside. After all, not only the team should get used to the coach, but also the coach - to the team. And abroad it is doubly important. In our case, without understanding the Russian soul in general and the Russian soul in football, it would be difficult to achieve much.

- You mentioned Borodyuk and Korneev. Does it surprise you that they have never been head coach in the Premier League, while two of van Marwijk's young assistants at the 2010 World Cup, Frank de Boer and Phillip Cocu, are now in charge of two of the top Dutch clubs, Ajax and PSV? In my opinion, this shows the difference in attitude towards young coaches in the two countries.

I'll tell you about my experience. When I took charge of the Dutch national team for the first time in 1995, we had several former players who wanted to become a coach. And we in the federation helped them. They offered them a good course and the opportunity to work with me in the national team, which they did at the World Cup in France. They were Rijkaard, Neskens and Koeman. And they became coaches.

This is our Dutch tradition, style. We love to educate both young coaches and young players. And now in the national team I do the same thing - only the role of those guys is played by Ruud van Nistelrooy. He was a big player, but that alone is not enough. Now he is moving to a new level of thinking and at some point he will understand whether he has a desire to do this. And last year I was a consultant at PSV with Philip Cocu. It was a very nice and beautiful gesture from my former player.

As for the same Borodyuk ... The fact that Sasha brought Torpedo to the Premier League with his small budget shows how good a professional he is. I don’t know why he left, but if he made such a decision, then something in the club went wrong. And he was brave enough not to put up with it. I love him both as a person and as a coach.

But I don't think it's possible to generalize. Here Slutsky is one of the coaches of the younger generation, but he already has rich experience in CSKA, they trust him, he wins. Or another friend of mine - Cherchesov, who works at Dynamo. Last fall, I was at their win in Eindhoven against PSV, and after the game he let me look into his team's dressing room. How many acquaintances there were - Gabulov and the rest! I was very glad to see them all.

Guus Hiddink and Leonid Slutsky. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"

SHATOV'S PROGRESS IS NOT Hindered by a Limit

- During the 2014 World Cup, many in Russia missed your attacking football. And you yourself were surprised that our team played anti-Khiddinkov's football - squeezed, overorganized?

I was upset that the team did not advance to the second round. Before the tournament, I hoped that this would happen. Although I was worried about Korea - it is also far from a foreign country to me. But if we proceed from quality, then I thought Russia would come out. Alas, this did not happen, and it seems to me that the first match played a big role here.

However, I repeat: I consider it wrong to judge the work of other coaches. I am ready to talk about my period with pleasure, but not about what happened after.

- Fine. How did you manage to remove the psychological grip on the Russian team? Frank de Boer told me that you give players much more freedom than Louis van Gaal, but not everyone knows how to use it...

Freedom is a tricky concept. It must be understood that it is very closely connected with responsibility. First of all, the player must clearly know the requirements for his position. And, performing them, he can already improvise and create within these frameworks. This is real freedom. And being able to do whatever you want is anarchy!

At first Russian team there was a small problem. The players did their job - but no more. You couldn't blame them for anything - the responsibility was in order. But they could not rise to a higher level.

Guus Hiddink "educates" Alan DZAGOEV in front of Igor Akinfeev and Sergei SEMAK.

- What was the turning point?

As a coach, I had to provide the players with a sense of security. It was necessary to instill that if they would completely surrender to the game and do what they were asked, I would protect them, even if we lose. That the main requirement is full dedication, and for one mistake, not related to irresponsibility, they will not be chased by vzashey.

Gradually they became convinced of this. And they felt free in a good way. And the football qualities of Zhirkov, Arshavin and others initially made it possible to play good football. It was only necessary to liberate them, to explain that the coaches have the same goal as theirs. That we are not enemies!

When football players constantly feel threatened, they are enslaved, intimidated. But their reaction changes when they see that coaching decisions are not based on punishment for wrongdoing. And an honest and fair assessment of their game.

- Many in Russia believe that the current generation of the national team is weaker than the one you coached.

Look here. I am happy for Oleg Shatov, with whom I was very pleased to work at Anji. I'm impressed with the progress he's made. Another proof of this was the match "Zenith" in Eindhoven. There, at the moment of the sharpest counterattack by PSV, he made a dash to his goal and interrupted Depay's pass in a tackle, which could have become an assist. And generally played well.

Shatov for me is proof that talented young Russian players have a very good technical background. He definitely wants to reach great heights - to play for the national team, to be a valuable player for Zenit. Shatov, in addition to his abilities, has the right mentality, a huge drive. And he is not alone.

- Don't you think that a limit on legionnaires prevents his generation from developing? Because of him guys in too young age get too many benefits.

And what is the limit now - 5 + 6, as before? Or 4+7?

- 4+7. But soon, apparently, there will be 5 + 6 again.

This is good.

- But why?! Russian footballers live without natural competition. And top clubs, in order to lure the best of them, give them clearly inflated salaries.

A good, motivated player doesn't think about money first. Of course, he must ensure a good life for himself, his family. But the example of Shatov proves that not all Russians are spoiled by money. If you give Shatov a ruble, he will play, if you give ten, it will still be. Because he loves the game, and the economy will automatically follow.

Much depends on the environment of the player. Yes, you can spoil the young guys with too early high salaries. But you can create a system in the club - when money directly depends on the quality of the game. It will be great to increase motivation, which in its base should come from the love of the game.

Oleg SHATOV pleases Guus Hiddink to this day. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"

- What do you think about the limit?

When I headed the national team, I liked this rule. And not only because the Russian football players had a guaranteed practice, but because it forced the clubs to educate young players. Five on the field meant that there must be at least ten in the clip. And this forced to grow a shift.

In fact, this desire should come from the clubs themselves - but if there is a rule, then it also obliges. If it were not for him, most clubs would have played solid legionnaires, and many clubs would have given up on their academies. So I liked the limit. And he did not interfere with the team.

IN 2018 I HOPE FOR RUSSIA TO GO TO THE SEMI-FINAL

- What do you expect from the Russian team on home championship peace? Now she is only 33rd in the FIFA rankings. Do miracles happen?

Our duty is to create these miracles. Leaving the group is a must. And then ... I hope to reach the semi-finals.

- Wow! Just like at Euro-2008. Didn't they take it cool?

Yes. This is hard. And this is more a hope than a clear assessment of the possibilities. But if you do not have such concepts as a dream and hope in your heart, why live and work at all?

- By the way, in August 2006, when you started in the Russian team, she took the same 33rd place! And after 22 months she took bronze Euro.

Here! There are more than three years before the World Cup. During this time, you can do a lot. But the federation and coaches should already have clear ideas about which players will play in 2018.

June 27, 2008. Moscow. Guus Hiddink and his bronze team are back in Russia.
Photo Alexander WILF

- Holland is a well-known factory of talents. Russia has big problems with this.

In addition to high-quality work in the academies, it is very important not to be afraid at a young age, at 17-18 years old, to put guys in the first team. That's how it is in Holland.

It is also a pity that the football center of the national teams of the country was never built in Russia. I remember how we traveled around the Moscow region, looking at places for construction. It's a shame that it didn't come true - after all, we have already discussed specific things. Such a center, if built a few years ago, would help organize the entire structure of football and improve the quality of preparation for the 2018 World Cup.

- Last December in Utrecht a large coaching conference of Dutch specialists took place, in which both you and your friend Johan Cruyff took part. Why was it carried out?

Cruyff and I are not exactly close friends, but we respect each other very much. And despite the compliments you have made about Dutch football, we believe that we need to improve. Because there aren't a lot of world-class young talents in Holland right now. Those who, at the age of 23 - 24, are ready to move into best clubs Europe. So they talked about how to improve the level of training of young coaches, and through them - and young football players.

By the way, on the same December days at the headquarters of the Dutch Federation in Zeist, I was pleased to speak to Russian students of sports management. Because the entire football community needs to grow and be updated - and coaches, and players, and managers.

- I know that for the sake of that performance in front of the students of the RMA business school, you left the coaching conference a little earlier and were even criticized for this in the Dutch press.

you are well informed (smiles). But I promised my Russian friends to do it! And I'm used to keeping my word. When journalists asked for clarification about the reasons for leaving, I explained that I had promised to speak to future Russian sports managers and could not let them down.

OLD LEV IGNASHEVICH AND ZHIRKOV, EQUAL TO ROBERTO CARLOS

- Would you advise Shatov, Dzagoev, Kokorin and other young people to go to Europe?

I don't want anyone to think that Hiddink is persuading players to leave their clubs. This is wrong. But in general, after a certain experience in Russia, if they want to take the next step, get into a higher league, get to know a different culture, I am for it. Because the guys will get new experience, and then they will use it in their native country.

Once I had several conversations with Wenger - he called about Arshavin before signing him. What kind of player Andrei was, Arsen knew, but he wanted to understand what kind of person he was. I also spoke with Andrew. "You have to do it. Even if you have a very a good life in Russia". For financial reasons, Russian football players do not need to go to Europe, but for sports reasons, they do. And he respected and encouraged the fact that Arshavin moved to Arsenal.

Andrey Arshavin is one of Guus Hiddink's favorite footballers. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"

- Why did he shine only at the beginning of his career in the "Gunners"? Why didn’t he rise to the level that he showed in famous match in Liverpool?

I wouldn't say he only had one great performance when he scored four goals at Anfield. In the first one and a half or two seasons, Arshavin had many strong matches. What happened next, I don't know. Maybe the most intense competition has affected, maybe somewhere the age has already begun to approach. But I like that he decided to do it and at first he looked very convincing at Arsenal.

- Maybe if Akinfeev did the same, he would move to a new level? And did not make fatal mistakes at the 2014 World Cup?

Even the strongest player can make a mistake. Well, in general, Igor had the potential to play in one of the top teams in Europe. By now, that moment has probably already passed. If he wanted to, he should have done it 3-5 years ago. But even now I am happy to follow the achievements in CSKA of him and another group of guys with whom we worked together.

- Are you surprised that the 35-year-old Ignashevich is still at the heart of the national team?

He has great experience! Ignashevich is an old lion, and young people have to try hard to force him out. So they fail, and the lion is still strong. Well done, Sergey!

- Largely thanks to you, a whole group of our players went to England, but did not become stars there.

Here Elizabeth loves Pavlyuchenko. He's in her Hall of Fame! (laughs.)

It was Guus Hiddink who managed to wake up Roman PAVLYUCHENKO in the form of the national team.
Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"

- Of course, on her birthday, when Russia beat England, it was Pavlyuchenko who made a double. And by the way, he told me that in his life he personally played for two coaches - Vladimir Fedotov and you.

I remember Fedotov, we met several times in the office of the Moscow club, where he was one of the leaders. Roman is a great guy! As did Bill. David Moyes called me about him and I said, "You have to take him because he's a fantastic player." So talented and smart! I also love Yuri (Zhirkov. - Note. "SE") - a special person, not like others.

- Is he more closed and silent?

I was fine with him, we got on very well. In general, of all the players I have dealt with in my coaching career, Zhirkov is the most gifted left-hander! Of course, also Roberto Carlos. But what Yuri could do is amazing.

They are almost the same. Zhirkov is a huge talent, he could deal with anyone one on one. I loved to look at him. And Chelsea... There are injuries and competition with Ashley Cole. By the way, they could have very good bunch if Yuri played over Ashley. Imagine it! But such an opportunity was extremely rare.

- Was it difficult to convince Zhirkov to become an extreme defender? He has always considered himself an offensive player.

Yes, but it's about the same as with Roberto Carlos. Officially, they appear on the diagram as extreme defenders. But de facto they play wingers, because they have enough technique and strength to dominate on the entire flank. They are more forwards than defenders. And there is always an opportunity to insure them, to cover the free zone. I hope Zhirkov still proves himself in Dynamo.

Guus HIDDINK is the first who saw a talented defender in Yuri ZHIRKOV.
Photo by Alexey IVANOV, "SE"

- But Saenko - the only legionnaire at Euro-2008 - will not show himself as a player. Did you hear that he got fat and ended his career?

In my time, Ivan played in the Bundesliga, and there the players are superbly prepared physically. Better than anywhere. And then there were no complaints about his form!

- We have listed those who, thanks to you, got to England, but we forgot about you. Do you communicate regularly with Roman Abramovich?

I wouldn't say. But I know that we will always receive a warm welcome at Chelsea. When I left there, I was told: we will always be glad to see you!

- Do you regret that the work with the Blues in the spring of 2009, when you took the FA Cup and were very close to the Champions League final, did not last long?

It was a wonderful experience. But I was devoted to the Russian team and after a spell at Chelsea I had to focus on it. He said to Akinfeev, Ignashevich, Arshavin and the rest: "I won't leave you!" And with Abramovich, we agreed on the same in advance. Although I was very good both in the Premier League and in London. But Moscow is beautiful too!

May 30, 2009. London. Chelsea 2-1 Everton. Head coach England team Fabio CAPELLO congratulates Guus Hiddink on the FA Cup. Photo AFP

- Do you understand now what happened in Maribor? After all, it absolutely did not fit into the logic of that qualifying round.

Yes, because with the same Germany both matches played more than decently. And it's a pity that that team couldn't go to South Africa. We only missed one goal. But I think that it was not the ball that we conceded in Maribor that decided everything.

- And what?

We didn't secure a reliable scoring distance in Moscow when we should have. We played very well, led - 2:0, had excellent chances to score the third, but instead we missed it under the curtain. This was our game. And when you miss out on what you have played enough in your game, then you often pay off.

- After the departure of Dick Advocaat to PSV, you, who worked at Anji at that time, were not invited to return to the Russian team?

I don't remember. But I'm not offended. The federation decided that Russian football would enter another era. Eru Fabio. Their right. And I worked in the Russian national team for a decent period. But there was a change of presidents - Mutko focused on the Ministry of Sports, and Fursenko came to the RFU instead. We only had one courtesy meeting with him. There was no talk of a contract extension.

INVITED TO THE NATIONAL TEAM OF THE HOLLAND, WHEN I WAS IN "ANJI"

- You left Anji after the second round of the last championship. Was it supposed to collapse soon?

There was some information that a change in strategy was coming. Not in detail, but I realized that soon the club will be different. Only the owner has the right to determine such things, and I respect Kerimov's decision. But he preferred to say in this situation: "Let's disperse."

At the same time, I really like that in Makhachkala they have kept the academy in its previous form and it is still headed by Fuat Usta, my assistant in the Turkish national team. This means that the questions of the foundation in "Anji" are taken seriously. This will definitely benefit the first team, and generally good for the region.

In general, I am glad that Russia was open enough to support my initiative and bring in young Dutch coaches - such as Henk van Stee, who headed the Zenit academy, Jelle Gus, who worked at CSKA. It's not for everyone to be in front of the cameras, but many Dutch people have the knowledge and love to go abroad and train young players.

- Van Stee - now the sports director of "Zenith". Where is Jelle Gus?

Technical manager of the Dutch Football Federation. We work together!

- Were you surprised when you were invited to the national team?

I have been asked to return for many years. One of the proposals followed when I was at Anji. I refused because I had a contract and I liked working with the team. And some time after parting with Anji, the federation turned again. And I agreed - because I was free, and it was also about working with young coaches.

Guus Hiddink and captain of the Dutch national team Robin VAN PERSE. Photo AFP

- Why didn't you go to Brazil to look at the future team?

Because on TV I could see much more games than I would do it live, moving around the vast Brazil. And so I saw all the matches, except for two.

- Why did the autumn-2014 turn out to be so difficult for oranges?

Firstly, for the teams that successfully performed at the World Cup, the first time is not easy. The next day after a big party, it is impossible to have fun with the same degree of freshness on another.

- The same thing happened with the German national team.

This is true. And secondly... The World Championship turned out to be successful in terms of the result - this is indisputable. But there were doubts in the style of the game. During the championship, there was a change in the model in favor of a more defensive one, which is not typical for the Dutch style. So we decided to do it for practical reasons, and taking into account the result, this must be respected.

But now it was necessary to make a reverse change - to football, less focused on defense. And at first, this also could not but affect the result, since the players were already used to something else.

- Football players, I heard that they supported you at a difficult moment.

Within the team there was no doubt about the correctness of the path.

- A sea of ​​​​criticism fell on you. Did you doubt yourself for a second?

No. I was well aware that the players have to get used to me and my style, and I - to them. At the club, when you take over a team in the off-season, you have a month, but here you have a few days. As for criticism, he tried to hide himself from external influence. One thing is normal criticism, and another thing is dirt. But even then it is necessary not to respond with words, but to turn people into your friends with your work.

The start of Guus Hiddink's work in the national team turned out, to put it mildly, not the most outstanding. Photo AFP

- What did you feel when you read: they say, Gus is too old?

Felt younger than ever! In general, you need to ask my assistants and players about this - do they perceive me as an old person.

- Did the federation discuss the early termination of your work?

Never.

What do you experience when you are on home arena PSV and see the biggest VIP box named after you?

I look and think: I know this guy! (laughs.) By the way, earlier a more modest hall was named after me there, and for some reason they decided to promote me a few years ago (smiles). It is a great honor for me, because PSV has a great history. Who initiated it, I don't know. I certainly didn't tell them, "You have to put my name there."

- You are known for your ability to prepare teams for the final tournaments. That is, the main thing for Holland is to reach Euro-2016, and everything will be all right there?

Yes! (u smiles.)

IT IS TOO EARLY TO CALL PROMES A FIRST TEAM PLAYER

- In autumn you invited Quincy Promes from Spartak to the national team. How are the impressions?

I often invite 23-25 ​​people to the national team, including one or two talented young beginners. For ten days of training, they get a good experience, and I can get a closer look at the player in such a serious company. Therefore, he attracted Promes.

While he is not yet fully equipped to be a stable player in the national team. But Quincy recently played in the youth team, and few manage to immediately make a jump to the main team. This can only happen with the help of a quality game for the club, which I want for Promes in Spartak.

True, there is one problem with the players playing in Russia. From December to March they do not play. It throws them back. But we continue to follow him. My scouts follow all the matches in European leagues, including RFPL. Every Monday we get a full report on the game of each candidate, including Promes.

Spartak player Quincy PROMES managed to attract the attention of the Premier League as well. Photo by Alexander FEDOROV, "SE"

- Cherchesov hopes that you will invite Buttner as well. Is he in your plans?

The same applies to him as to all "Russian" Dutch. They need to play!

- Is it true that after Euro-2016 you will become the technical director of the federation?

No. I will be free! Let's see what happens during this time.

- Can you imagine Hiddink's third coming to Russian football?

You must not forget my age. I am 68 (laughs). Nevertheless, I get great pleasure from the fact that I am still involved in football. I hope Holland will enter Euro-2016 and play well in the final tournament.

And what will happen after - I do not know. And will I return to Russia - too. Obviously, most of the pages of my football book are already turned. But it is very difficult to predict something and even more so to exclude something. I know one thing for sure: the time I spent in Russia was wonderful.

"SE" thanks the faculty "Management in game types Sports" of the RMA business school for help in organizing a business trip for our observer to Holland.

Guus Hiddink is an outstanding Dutch coach who has experience in many strong clubs in Europe and several national teams, including...

Guus Hiddink: biography, career, personal life

By Masterweb

16.04.2018 22:01

Guus Hiddink is an outstanding Dutch coach who has experience in many strong clubs in Europe and several national teams, including the Russian national team. He stands out from other mentors with his extraordinary tactical arrangements with an emphasis on the individual skill of each player individually.

Biography

Guus Hiddink was born on November 8, 1946 in the Netherlands, in the town of Warsseveld. He grew up in a large family of teachers. As a child, his main passion was football. G. Hiddink devoted all his free time while being able to help their parents.

Guus Hiddink began his playing career in early age in the city club "Varsseveld", where he was assigned to the position of midfielder. After leaving school, he was enrolled in the Central Institute of Sports Mentors in Overveen, where he was one of the best students and graduated with a red diploma in 1966.

Professional career

After the institute, Guus Hiddink signed a contract with football club"De Graafschap" from Doetinchem, while also coaching a team for children who are behind in development. He stayed as a children's mentor until 1984, combining this work with the professional activities of a football player.

In 1969, the football player helped De Graafschap reach the first division of the Dutch championship, after which he moved to the Washington Diplomats from the North American football league. Later, Guus Hiddink signed a contract with the San Jose Earthquakes, and some time later he played for the NEK club from Nijmenhem. Gus in 1981 was accepted with honors back to De Grafschap, in which he ended his football career a few years later. On account of Guus Hiddink as a player 500 matches and 80 goals in 15 years of work.

coaching work

Since 1981, after returning to De Grafschap, Guus Hiddink has been an assistant coach. He moved to the same position in 1984 at PSV, where he was promoted to head coach in 1987. Under him, the most titled Dutch club won the Dutch championship three times and the Dutch Cup three times, and also in 1988 took possession of the European Cup (later reformed into the UEFA Champions League). In 1990, Gus signed an agreement with the Turkish club Fenerbahce, and the following year he was already the head coach of the Spanish team Valencia.

In 1995, he received an invitation to lead the Netherlands national team. In 1998, the World Cup was held in France, where the Dutch team took fourth place in a hard struggle, losing in the match for third place to Croatia.

After the World Cup, Guus Hiddink led Real Madrid, with whom he soon took the Intercontinental Cup. But due to disagreements with the club's management in 2000, he had to go first to Real Betis, and six months later to the South Korean national team. What seemed to all skeptics a regression, in fact turned out to be the most right decision for the coach. In 2002, at the World Cup, held in South Korea, under the mentorship of Guus Hiddink, the national team came in fourth place, which is still the country's highest football achievement.

After this success, the mentor returns to work at PSV, where in 4 years he helps the club win three more national championships, one Cup and one Dutch Super Cup each.

In 2005, Gus was invited to the Australian team, which led them to the 1/8 finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where they lost to the eventual winner, the Italian national team, in the very end of the match due to a highly controversial penalty.

At the personal request of Roman Abramovich, he was appointed head coach of the Russian national football team in 2006. The mentor's salary was about 7 million euros. Together with the Russian national team, Guus Hiddink created a sensation at Euro 2008. In the heavy group, Russia advanced to the playoffs from second place, which led the team in the quarterfinals to one of the favorites of the tournament - the Netherlands. But Guus Hiddink found the necessary tactical arrangement, and his team won with a score of 3:1. This caused rejoicing throughout the country. Despite the fact that Spain defeated Russia in the semi-finals, the national team led by Gus shared third place with Turkey. But since the coach failed to bring the national team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the coach announced the end of work with the team.

After that, he signed for Chelsea, with whom he won the FA Cup in 2009. G. Hiddink left the post after the defeat in the Champions League semi-finals from Barcelona.

In 2010, the Turkish Football Federation agreed with Guus Hiddink to work with his national team. He was faced with the task of reaching Euro 2012, but the team did not win the play-offs with Croatia and missed this tournament. Guus Hiddink announced his retirement immediately after his absence.

Then he signed a contract with Anji, which, under his leadership, took third place in the Russian Championship.

After that, Guus Hiddink's career began to decline. First, he failed to bring the Dutch national team to Euro 2016, then he failed the season at Chelsea, the team took only tenth place in the English Championship.

Life after coaching career

Now Guus Hiddink lives and works in the USA. He is an analyst for Fox Sports USA.

He meets with the Dutch citizen Elizabeth Pinas, who is several decades younger than him.

Kievyan street, 16 0016 Armenia, Yerevan +374 11 233 255

But it is no less interesting to consider it in comparison with two other foreign coaches. Moreover, the backbone of this team, formed Gus Hiddink, lasted almost all eight years - from the selection of Euro 2008 to the qualification of Euro 2016.

GUS HIDDINK

Russian national team under Guus Hiddink: 22 wins, 7 draws, 10 losses. The goal difference is 66-39.
In official matches: 18 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses. Goal difference: 46-23.
Best Match: Russia - the Netherlands - 3:1 (Euro 2008).
Worst Match: Slovenia - Russia - 1:0 (playoffs of the 2010 World Cup qualification).

The first foreigner at the head of the Russian national team remains the most successful so far. Guus Hiddink we owe the best achievement - bronze medals Euro 2008. In addition, he also has the highest percentage of wins - 56. And in official matches, even higher - 62%. The Dutchman was at the helm of the national team for two qualifying rounds, having spent 39 meetings with the team - only Oleg Romantsev, who led the national team twice, from 1994 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2002. Hiddink is also the most successful national team coach in final tournaments world and European forums. On his account 3 victories - more than the same Romantsev.

Hiddink suffered his first defeat at the head of the Russian national team more than a year after his appointment. In general, the time of his leadership was the most stable. The lion's share of defeats fell on those matches where our team objectively was not a favorite. Twice they lost big to the Spaniards at the same triumphant Euro, twice they failed to cope with Germany in the selection for the South African World Cup, lost to the British at Wembley. For all these defeats, it was difficult to blame Hiddink. In official matches, the national team did not win in the status of a favorite only twice. First, Israel in the selection for Euro 2008, which almost crossed out all the efforts - thanks to the Croats for helping out. The second fiasco was also the last, since there was no one to save. Yielded to Slovenia second leg playoff qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, said goodbye to the national team.

DICK LAWYER

Russian national team under Dick Advocaat: 12 wins, 8 draws, 4 losses. The goal difference is 32-13.
In official matches: 8 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses.
Best Match: Czech Republic - Russia - 1: 4 (Euro 2012).
Worst Match: Greece - Russia - 1:0 (Euro 2012).

Work period Dick Advocaat got pretty short. He knew Russian football very well, the players of the national team did not bother himself with experiments, relying on approximately the same squad and trying to get the most out of it. In qualifying for Euro 2012, this was generally successful. Although the group - thanks to Hiddink, who significantly increased the rating of the team, got passable. There was no longer any England or Germany - only Ireland, Armenia and Slovakia. On the last one they stumbled, for which Roman Shirokov later called it "collective farm". However, that only defeat for the cycle remained the only one, so it was not difficult to leave the group with 70% of victories.

Dick Advocaat did not particularly succeed in friendly matches in which the team looked amorphous. In them, the statistics were worse than in the official ones - 4 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses. However, on the eve of Euro 2012, the national team defeated Italy in sparring, impressing everyone. So there is an exception to this rule. As in the case of Hiddink, the team seemed to take “their” points regularly. But the same two misfires on two not the strongest rivals eventually cost the Advocate his place. And again, for the first time, it worked out, the home defeat from the Slovaks did not become critical. But when at the Euro the team limply lost in the decisive meeting to the Greeks, nothing could save Dick. Although with his 62% of victories in official matches, he caught up with Hiddink and is well ahead of Capello.

FABIO CAPELLO

Russian national team with: 15 wins, 10 draws, 4 losses. Goal difference - 49-19.
In official matches: 8 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses. Goal difference - 28-11.
Best Match: Russia - Portugal - 1:0 (Euro 2012 qualification).
Worst Match: Algeria - Russia - 1: 1 (World Cup 2014).

If we take the statistics of only official meetings, then 8 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses is a very modest result for a team that claims first place in the qualifying group and access to the playoffs of the world and European forums. The percentage of wins is only 47, that is, less than half. Under Advocate and Hiddink, it was significantly more, and most importantly, defeats happened less frequently.

The Italian started for health, but then a complete regression began, which will not be replaced by an upswing. Having shown a 100% result at the start of the qualifying round in 2012, the national team Capello won half of the matches in 2013 and only one (!) game out of seven in 2014. So the September victory over Luxembourg remains the only one in the last 8 official games. Against the backdrop of the stability of Hiddink and Lawyer, the Capello team is clearly losing. The Dutch lost a couple of key matches to inferior opponents in strength and did not solve the maximum problem. In the last cycle, Don Fabio seemed to repeat their path - all the same standard two misfires, non-critical with Northern Ireland and tragic at the World Cup. This time they lost to an equal opponent, Belgium, but the Algerians and Koreans, although they did not concede, did not get decisive points. However, Capello began the new qualification rather in the style of the predecessors of foreigners. Then we had a good tradition to fill up the beginning of the selection, then change the coach ( Byshovets, Gazzaev, Yartsev). . But the draw with Moldova and the defeat against Austria (and this is only after the first 4 rounds of qualification) are already seriously disrupting the schedule that we are used to with foreign coaches.

Hiddink Gus. Honored Coach of Russia.

Pupil of the amateur club "Varsseveld" Varsseveld, Holland.

Clubs: De Graafschap Doetinchem, Holland (1967 - 1970, 1971 - 1977, 1981 - 1982), PSV Eindhoven Eindhoven, Holland (1970 - 1971), NEC Nijmegen, Holland (1977 - 1978, 1979 - 1980, 1 981 ), Washington Diplomats, USA (1978), San Jose Earthsquakes, USA (1980).

Assistant head coach of the clubs "De Grafsap" Doetinchem, Holland (1981 - 1983), PSV "Eindhoven" Eindhoven, Holland (1983 - 1987).

Head coach of clubs PSV Eindhoven, Holland (1987 - 1990, 2000 - 2006), Fenerbahce Istanbul, Turkey (1990 - 1991), Valencia Valencia, Spain (1991 - 1994), Real Madrid, Spain ( 1998 - 1999), Betis Sevilla, Spain (1999 - 2000), Chelsea London, England (2009), Anji Makhachkala (2012 - 2013).

Head coach of the Netherlands (1995 - 1998, 2014 - ...), South Korea (2000 - 2002), Australia (2005 - 2006), Russia (2006 - 2010), Turkey (2010 - 2011).

Achievements as a coach:

Dutch Champion1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89, 2002/03, 2004/05, 2005/06;

Dutch Cup winner1987/88, 1988/89, 1989/90, 2004/05;

Winner of the Dutch Supercup2003;

Winner of the European Champions Cup1988;

Winner of the Intercontinental Cup1998;

Winner of the FA Cup2009;

Fourth place at the World Championships 1998 (Netherlands team), 2002 (South Korea team), semi-finalist of the European Championship 2008 (Russian team).

YOURSELF GUS!

The Russian national team will be headed by one of the most famous, respected and successful coaches of modern football. Few specialists can be put on a par with him. Hiddink brought each team to a new, better level. How did he succeed and how did he achieve such respect among coaches, journalists, fans, players?

ABOUT TRAVELERS

“We Dutch live in a very small country. But we have great ideas. Hence our passion for travel and for spreading ideas around the world. We don't want to be a gray mouse." This is how a journalist from the Dutch newspaper De Telegraf explained the triumph of the Dutch coaching school: at the World Championships in Germany, the Netherlands will be represented by four coaches at once: Marco Van Basten (Netherlands team), Dick Advocaat (South Korea team), Leo Beenhakker (Trinidad and Tobago team) and Gus Hiddink (Australian team).

But about a hundred more Dutchmen are scattered around the world, coaching teams of different status, with different budgets, with players of different nationalities and mentalities...

The most famous of them: Louis Van Gaal, who excited the whole world first with Ajax, then with Barcelona; Frank Rijkaard, who created a great team that has every chance this season to both win the championship in Spain and become the best in Europe; Ronald Koeman, who went through the most difficult group in the Champions League with Benfica and reached the quarter-finals with it, are just the most famous of the Dutch foreign coaches. But none of them has achieved (at least so far) such respect as Hiddink.

How did he achieve it? In different ways.

HOW TO GO TO FOOTBALL WITH MARADONA

Hiddink, like no one else, knows how to relieve stress from the players. When the Australian team came to Uruguay for the first match, there was an incredible stir in both countries.

In Uruguay, the press simply lashed out at the Australians. Hiddink, upon arrival, said: "I am very happy to bring my team to the country that won the World Cup first." This simple phrase disarmed the Uruguayan press, and the tension subsided.

During the training camp of the Australians in Buenos Aires, Diego Maradona called Hiddink to wish him good luck and invite him to the Libertadores Cup match in the evening of the same day. Gus replied that, they say, with pleasure, but he should be with the team.

Hiddink did not achieve much success in his playing career, starting at the amateur Varseveld and continuing it at the professional De Graafschape. But he managed to become the most popular football player of this club, having received the nickname Superbur. His departure to PSV Eindhoven caused an immediate reaction from the fans, who organized a fundraising campaign for the return of their favorite player. Hiddink returned and led the team to the top Dutch division.

Already in the evening, Hiddink was sitting at the match, but ... with the whole team in in full force! Maradona called the entire Australian team there. This could not but affect the attitude of the players towards Gus.

LIBERAL

Hiddink knows how to set up a team for decisive games. After the first play-off in Uruguay, where the Australians lost 0-1, the team flew home on Monday morning. There were two days left before the decisive match.

You are all free until Tuesday afternoon,” Hiddink announced.

Freedom and rest eventually helped the players to tune in to the meeting. Australia won 1-0 in regular time and were more confident in the penalty shoot-out.

The most difficult thing before the second leg with Uruguay was to tune in as best as possible, recalls Hiddink. - Sometimes the players are too given to the fight on the field - so much so that they forget their task. This should not be. This is the whole point - to find a certain balance so that the player gives his best on the field and does not forget to do what the coach told him.

Surprisingly, Hiddink is gaining respect from the players very quickly. "It's like Gus was the link between the team and success," says Australian captain Mark Viduka, who has never competed at the World Cup. - He became exactly the leader that we lacked. He is a tactical genius. Everything he does has a purpose. And the players are very comfortable with that.”

But Hiddink managed the Australian national team while in Eindhoven, where at the same time he managed to train PSV ...

FOLLOWER OF MICHELS

Guus Hiddink - coach

“All Dutch coaches are, one way or another, followers of the great Rinus Michels (the head coach of the Dutch national team and Ajax in the 70s). It is from him that they take most of their ideas, says Johan Cruyff. Michels never taught me how to control the ball. But he knew how to get the players to play team football."

But the current head coach of Tottenham, Martin Jol, recalls Michels: “He is both a friend and a boss for us. When Rinus talked to the players at the hotel, he looked like a typical Dutchman - he drank beer with us, yelled songs. Everyone loved him."

The British newspaper The Guardian describes the Dutch coaching school in this way: “Their model is training in professional ethics and team game, as well as love for attacking football. This is what is most suitable for those countries where the football structure is not perfect.

BUILDER

After the 2004 European Championship, PSV lost its entire attacking line. Matei Kežman and Arjen Robben were sold to Chelsea, Dennis Rommedal went to Charlton. It seemed that the team did not shine in the coming season. However, PSV won the national championship and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, where Milan narrowly missed.

Our budget is the smallest of all the teams that have reached the 1/8 finals of the Champions League, - Hiddink said then. - So the defeat in the semi-final cannot be called a failure.

After a super-successful 2004/05 season, PSV lost almost all of its midfield: van Bommel went to Barcelona, ​​Vogel to Milan, and Park Ji-soon to Manchester United. Once again, PSV solves its problems with brilliance. The result of the team is reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League and the championship in Holland!

This shows that Hiddink is able to build a team almost from scratch and in a short time.

HOW TO TEACH KOREANS TO PLAY FOOTBALL?

The South Korean team made a splash at the 2002 World Cup. Then they talked a lot about the fact that the judges helped the Koreans with the blessing of FIFA, that the Portuguese, Italians and Spaniards humiliated by this team had too many problems ... But no one questioned the role in the “Korean miracle” of Guus Hiddink.

We've always had good players, - said the veteran of the national team Hong Myung Bo. But we didn't know how to win. Now we do everything differently - first of all, we treat the game differently.

At first it was like this: I go into the locker room after a lost match and look at the guys. They sit with an indifferent expression on their faces. I go after the victory - the same picture. No difference, - recalls Hiddink. - I thought I mistook the door. I wanted them to be annoyed, angry after defeat and happy after victory. Therefore, after successful matches, I introduced it into the habit of arranging a holiday - with champagne, beer, a big cake ...

Hiddink made a revolution in the minds of Koreans. First of all, he broke the stereotype that the main task of the national team is just to perform better than Japan.

I had to carry them all over the world. Previously, they prepared for the World Cup through games with Malaysia and Singapore and won by three or four goals. They are accustomed to performing in their small stadiums in front of an audience of 2,000. I showed them how football is played all over the world.

Hiddink's main problem was to force the Koreans to act tough - after all, in martial arts they were inferior to almost everyone:

Sometimes I approached them in training and provoked them in some way. And no one answered. Five minutes later I go up to them again and say: do you like that I provoke you? If I provoke you, then you should respond to me in the same way. So I taught them to play as hard as European teams do.

PLAYS BY YOUR RULES

All this does not mean at all that with the arrival of Hiddink in the Russian national team, we will definitely be successful. But it is foolish to deny that just a dialogue with such a person will be useful both for our players and coaches, and for our football leaders.

Now the Russian team will live by the rules of Hiddink. He is not one who obeys others:

I'm on the team to win. I can give in, but I'll do it my way. I don't come to follow anyone's instructions.

"GRANDPA IS TO BE HELD IN EVERYTHING!"

Two December evenings, Guus Hiddink and I sat at a cafe table on the 10th floor of the Ararat-Hyatt Moscow hotel. Outside the window, nothing spoke of the upcoming holidays - plus temperature, no snowflakes. The Dutchman shrugged his shoulders in surprise: "When we flew to Moscow now, Elizabeth hoped to see huge snowdrifts. Where are they?"

We were not talking about football, about which, over the past year, everything seems to have been said and discussed. The fuss of goals and offsides was left behind, and I wanted to talk with the Dutchman about something completely different. Hiddink - after all, he opened our team's eyes not only and not so much on how to play football. How to relate to life and believe in your star - that's what he explained to both the players and the fans. That is, the whole country. Bronze Euro-2008 was a lesson for everyone who is convinced that he has a "ceiling" above which you can not jump. The Russian team, in which no one believed even less than a year ago, proved the opposite. And, I have no doubt, after that, thousands of people said to themselves: "But we, too, can do what we never dreamed of."

So I decided on the eve of the New Year holidays to talk with Hiddink, as they say, for life. I admit, I expected a lot from this conversation - but best coach Russia 2008 surpassed even these expectations.

CURIOSITY INSTALLED BY GRANDPA

In Western Europe, Christmas is celebrated on a much larger scale than the New Year, while in Russia it is the opposite. What is more important for you and your family?

Christmas and New Year for me they are inseparable. This is the time of my favorite unhurried conversations with family and friends, summing up the results of the year, thinking about what needs to be done. Sport highest achievements not always useful - both physically and mentally. Achieving your goals, you stop noticing the world around you, you become selfish. Therefore, it is good when there are people who sometimes “wake you up”. Before the New Year, there is a happy opportunity to see these people more often and hear them better.

Now, as in all recent years, will you again go to Africa for the New Year?

Yes, this time to Uganda and Tanzania. However, now - not only with Elizabeth, but also with my two younger brothers Karel and Arnold, as well as their wives. I have traveled a lot around the world, and we thought it would be great to show the brothers and their families something very different. They will leave Europe for the first time in their lives, and you should see with what excitement they expect this journey. I get great pleasure from watching how they look forward to it. As they call, they worry: "What vaccinations should we do, what things should we take with us?" No wonder: more than 5 - 10 hours from home by car, they almost did not leave anywhere. In the summer, however, they flew to Austria for the European Championship, visited our team - and became its fans. Then I said: "Now let's go further."

And why were the two younger brothers invited? There are five of them in total.

I have already invited others to other places - in particular, to Korea. So many people at once in one such trip - still a bit too much.

You are always drawn to the exotic. Go to wild Africa to have a rest, to work - in Korea, Australia, Russia, which are unusual for a Western European. Where does this spirit of the traveler come from?

I really love being in new situations and places. So that people from the traditionally leading football countries they asked: "Why did you go there? Nothing can be achieved there!" On the contrary, it spurs me on. For me, the motivation is curiosity. To go to an unfamiliar region, to discover a new culture, to see how people live and work, to make possible what is considered impossible... I prefer to do and regret than not to do and regret. At the same time, I have never been disappointed that I went somewhere. Although difficulties arise, you experience resistance. But getting over it is another thing I love.

And where did it all come from... As a child, I lived in a small place and always wanted to see and learn something else. Seeing this, my grandfather said: "Don't go to school tomorrow. You and I will go somewhere. To hunt - or we'll think of something else." I was looking forward to this with great impatience, for me such walks with my grandfather were the discovery of the whole world. My current trips to different countries It's basically the same thing, just on a much larger scale.

Did your parents know about your activities with your grandfather?

The father knew, but did not say or do anything to neutralize them. But he was the director of the school where I studied.

OVER TWO DOZEN SANTA FROSTS

Have you ever acted as Site-Klaus?

No. In the Netherlands, in addition to Christmas, there is also a holiday on December 5 - also with the participation of Santa Claus, only a little different, typically Dutch. It's rather children's holiday, whereas the usual Christmas is more grown-up. But neither one nor the other Santa Claus was ever.

In fact, I dressed up only once. The Netherlands holds an annual carnival. Once my friends persuaded me to participate in it, and I put on the mask of a completely bald man like Fantômas. Now many young people wear such a "hairstyle", but that was a long time ago. In my native area, I knew everyone and everyone. I sat in a cafe, walked around the streets, no one recognized me, and I myself was silent, like a fish, because otherwise they would have figured me out. It was very funny how my good friends in the cafe asked each other: "Who is this? Who is this?" So they didn't "split". This was my only reincarnation experience, and I really liked it.

This year, without any reincarnation, you have become Santa Claus for all of Russia. Because no one dreamed of third place at Euro.

This is true. Even now it seems like a dream, although it happened already six months ago. But to perceive yourself as Santa Claus or Santa Claus is too great an honor. I just tried to create conditions within the team and around it that would help it show its best qualities. But the coach is always dependent, albeit not completely, on the players and other members of the team. We can achieve something only together. Therefore, if you already call me Santa Claus, then I will correct you: there were many Santa Clauses in the team. More than two dozen.

Therefore, when in Austria at a farewell dinner Vitaly Mutko set out to give you a medal first, did you say: "First - the captain and other players"?

Where, by the way, Santa Claus Hiddink keeps it?

In our new house in Amsterdam, which we have been building for a year and a half and completed not so long ago.

WROTE THE WORD "PLEASE" IN HIS DAILY BOOK

You have already spoken about the role of the players. In each interview, you also emphasize the great importance for the national team of your assistants Alexander Borodyuk and Igor Korneev. What would you wish them in 2009?

I do not just hope, but I am sure that they will continue to be of great benefit to the team. I have been working with them for more than two years, and we develop each other. I always tried to learn from people living in the country where I currently work. They tell me stories from their football career and everyday life, and I wind these stories on my head and take them into account in my work. Plus, they develop themselves - and I am convinced that they will not stop on this path.

When I came here and first saw Alex (Borodyuk. - Approx. I.R.), he, to be honest, was somewhat pessimistic. "No, Gus, it's impossible, it won't work here," he said more than once. And he often counted on ... how does this Russian word sound ... Avosh?

I'm sorry, what?

Wait, I wrote it down in my diary.

Here Hiddink, having flipped through several pages of the diary (he had acquired the habit of keeping a diary back in the 80s, from the beginning of his coaching career), showed me one of them. There, the Cyrillic alphabet was large-scaled - "PLEASE"!

I confess that for a few seconds I was speechless. And Gus began to explain to Elizabeth, who periodically joined our conversation, the essence of this untranslatable word:

Imagine: you are walking along the runway of an airfield and you see a plane. He is old, one wing hangs not quite at the same angle as the second. The pilot is slightly drunk, everything shakes and buzzes during takeoff, as if the plane is a hundred years old. It is then that the passengers with a heavy sigh say: "Maybe we will fly."

Your correspondent asked Hiddink:

Why would you write such words?

I must know them. This is important for me, because any tradition, any word of the country where you find yourself, can play some role in your work. Because such words say something about the spirit of people.

By the way, Alex is completely different now. He has his own opinion on every issue, fights for it, thinks, seething with energy. And I really like it.

I also like the fact that Igor (Korneev. - Approx. I.R.) in recent years has finally turned from a player into a coach. When we started working, he still thought in many ways as a football player, but he wanted to grow and develop. They are wise people. From Sasha I heard many stories and anecdotes about Russian life. What I really like in Russia is that people are willing to talk about themselves, their habits and do not miss an opportunity to laugh at themselves. This is a very good quality.

SEEING A BLACK CAT, I WILL NOT CHANGE THE WAY

Christmas is a religious holiday, New Year is a secular one. Can you call yourself a believer?

No. I believe in human responsibility and strength.

So you don't see Christmas as a religious holiday?

Were you originally non-religious or did it come over the years?

Initially. Our family has always respected the right of people to believe, but did not accept their forced, artificial planting in the lives of other people. The institution of the church has done a lot, both positive and negative. In my opinion, to be a good person and do good, it is not necessary to be religious at all.

Do you go to church occasionally?

When I was working in Spain, we sometimes came to away matches two days before the game. And in the morning, when I had a couple of free hours, I went to the temples in Zaragoza, Bilbao, Seville and other cities and admired them as architectural masterpieces. In Russia, I have not yet been to churches, but outwardly some of them are of stunning beauty.

Do you believe in omens?

No. Many gamblers are superstitious, some of them don't even wash their underwear after winning. And if the winning streak lasts for many weeks, then his wife has a hard time (laughs). But if you, the coach, think the same way, then you become vulnerable, because you don’t believe in yourself and your team, but in something else.

If a black cat crosses the road in front of you or your car before the game...

I love it!

That is, do not turn around and choose another path?

In no case!

"IF YOU DEFEAT ITALY, YOU WILL NOT SERVE IN THE ARMY!"

In Korea, you have come across many amazing traditions. Can you talk about it?

There's almost military discipline. To such an extent that it is not the Koreans who control time, but time controls them. Once we had a morning workout. You can work with Koreans for two or three hours, they will not say a word, they will not complain, because for them everything that the coach says is the law. And so the class ends at 12.15, and my local assistants run up to me in horror. "What's happened?" - I ask. "So after all, we have lunch in fifteen minutes, and the players still need to take a shower" - "So what? Let's move lunch to one in the afternoon" - "But it's also impossible! It's written in the schedule - 12.30!" They were in a real panic, and I had to make a lot of efforts to get them out of this state.

And the top management, apparently, categorically forbade the same assistants from smoking in my presence. At first, when they saw me, they feverishly tried to hide cigarettes and lighters. I told them: "Yes, smoke as much as you want!" They didn’t believe for a long time, they were afraid that I was luring them into a trap, so that later I could bring them to clean water and severely punish them (laughs).

At that moment, Igor Korneev, who participated in part of the conversation, asked: "Gus, tell us how you freed the Korean national team players from the army!"

All citizens of Korea, including football players, must pass, it seems, three years of military service, Hiddink immediately began. - There are no exceptions. Players serve on a common basis - which means that their football careers are broken. At 20, going three years without football is a disaster.

Shortly after the 2002 World Cup in Korea, elections were to be held. And after the first victory over Poland, politicians began to spin around the team, who wanted to get into the rays of glory. And when we beat the Portuguese, the real excitement began. I can’t say that it helped the team a lot, but at the home World Cup it was impossible to close it completely. And then I decided to try to turn it to our advantage. As a whole team, and each player.

How?

When we left the group, I turned to the politicians: "Do you want to benefit the team? Then propose to the country's top leaders: if we defeat Italy, let all 23 players of the national team be permanently exempt from military service!"

I was almost certain that nothing would come of this venture. But the day before the match, right during training, my mobile phone rang. Actually, I never pick up the phone during work, but then something made me answer - albeit with the intention of stopping the conversation after the very first phrases. And this is what I heard: "This is the secretary of the president of the country. You can tell the players: if the team beats the Italians, then none of them will serve in the army." I stopped training and conveyed these words to the players.

How did they react?

You should have seen their faces! And to hear some kind of friendly groan, which at that moment they emitted! Everyone gathered in a circle, hugged each other by the shoulders and talked about something for several minutes. I stood about ten meters from the players. And I felt that for the sake of this goal they are ready to move mountains. The next day, Italy was beaten.

Did the authorities keep their promise?

How did you even come up with this idea?

I was concerned about the future career of the players. These are living people! And I thought: "You can play great at the World Cup, and then everything will end for them. Almost a whole generation of footballers will come to naught, and with it the development of football in the country." You can't just think about the result. Today you can win or lose, but you must see far ahead, and then the results will definitely come.

But how did you know about all these nuances with the army?

As before the trip to Moscow, Elizabeth and I read a lot about the country where we were going to go.

At this moment, Korneev again joined the conversation: “Imagine, even when he arrived in Russia, Gus knew who Pavlik Morozov was!”

After all that I've heard, I'm not surprised anymore. And asked Hiddink:

For the Russian national team at Euro, you didn’t want to find the same motivation as the Koreans, strength?

No, because that was an exceptional situation. Motivation must be present within a person, while this one came from outside. Material things - cash bonuses, a car, a house - are an external motivation and are capable of pushing some people at some stage. But it won't last long. The real motivation is internal: a football player, like a representative of any other profession, must love what he does. A great athlete and creator becomes the one for whom everything comes from the heart, and not from thoughts about the bonus. Above this, we must admit, we (here Hiddink clearly means the Russian team. - Approx. IR) still have to work.

Although a lot depends on the society in which a person plays football. I remember one Fenerbahce player where I used to work. He was an ordinary football player, and for his level he had a very good salary. One day he came to me and asked: "Could you ask the board of directors to raise my salary?" I was dumbfounded: "But you have it already so high, you should be happy with it!" And I heard: "Mr. Hiddink, you understand, this is not only for me. Having become a professional football player, I have to feed another 30 - 40 people who are around. You know how many relatives I have who live very poorly!" I understand this motivation too.

As far as I know, you are well acquainted with perhaps the most "bad guy" in the history of football - Diego Maradona.

I was in Buenos Aires, the Australian team and I were preparing for the 2006 World Cup play-off against Uruguay. And he worked in the Boca Juniors system. We were sitting in a hotel with a friend from Argentina, who helped me organize a meeting there, and suddenly he held out his mobile: "Someone wants to talk to you." I thought that a journalist was calling, because there was a lot of press around the team at that time, and pushed the phone away. But a friend insisted, and I heard in Spanish: "Mister! Mister! It's Diego!" There are many different Diegos in the world, and at first I thought that someone was fooling me. But the friend nodded: this is the real Maradona. We talked, he said that he respects my work very much.

Since when?

Don't know. Under my leadership, the Dutch national team played at the World Cup 98 with Argentina, that match came out wonderful and, perhaps, Diego liked. He probably saw Korea as well. And then he invited me to the match "Boca Juniors" - "River Plate". There are many derbies in the world - Milan - Inter, Real - Atlético, CSKA - Spartak. But the number one derby is Boca vs River. Half a day before the start of the game, the stadium is already full. The roar is such that you can go crazy!

Maradona has a small open box at the Boki stadium, where he invited me. We had a very good conversation and every second was under the gun of many cameras. We stay in touch even now, albeit not very often. But I know for sure: if I go to Argentina, I will be received there with all the warmth.

How do you feel about the fact that the enfant terrible of world football has become the head coach of the Argentina national team?

Diego is a guy from the street who has been through both good and bad. But he always found the strength to return. Because he is a fighter. I know the circumstances of life in countries where poverty is all around and football is everything. And I feel great sympathy for people who, having gone through very difficult times, become an example for millions of other people who are now very ill. They look and think: this man has survived - and got out! Fight, and you too will succeed!

Would you like to organize friendly match Russia - Argentina?

I would be very happy about it. Some time ago, this was already discussed, but the date that was free with us was already taken by the Argentines. Of course, it would be great if a team led by Maradona and with Messi in the squad played against us.

I DON'T DRINK, I ONLY DRINK

In Russia, did any traditions strike you the same way as Korean ones?

Compared to Korea, Russian society does not have strict principles that would be very different from Western European ones. I never experienced the shock when I exclaimed: “Lord, how to get used to this!” But here they love to give gifts. They hand out bottles with some unusual drinks, treat them to branded food ... The hospitality of the Russian people has amazed me more than once. There is another typical feature - when you are at a table in a company, everyone wants to make not just a toast, but a short speech. And he barely had time to finish one, and everyone drank, as the other begins. Toasts are made very often, and you need to say to yourself: "Be careful!"

Have you ever drunk a lot of vodka?

Never. Because I don't drink, I just sip. Before Russia, I never tried vodka at all, and in principle I am not a fan of alcohol. Sometimes I drink a glass of red wine - and that's enough. And when I'm in the company, I don't feel obliged to drink like everyone else. The right of the individual is to say "no". I don't want to feel sick the next morning, or for anyone else to feel that way because of me.

Gifts to you in a life handed over different. For example, a 20-meter Hyundai limousine.

Well, 20 meters is an exaggeration. But long, long, with a TV, a bar - whatever you want! I received this present after the 2002 World Cup. In Japan and Korea, heads of large companies drive such cars. But that's not my style.

Refused?

No, smart people explained that in Asia, those who give such gifts cannot be said no. This is an insult to them, no matter how you explain the refusal. As a result, this limousine was transported by sea from Ulsan, a city in southern Korea, to Rotterdam Bay. And already there I asked the national Hyundai dealer in Holland if it was possible to change this limousine for a jeep of the same brand. Which is what was done.

When you played in the US in the 70s and crossed from Washington DC to San Jose, a similar limousine was sent to the California airport for you. They say you reacted to this like this: "In Holland they would think that I was a pimp."

- (Laughs) In those days, a huge car in Holland meant just that. There were four-cylinder cars in use. And in America, on the contrary, there was a cult of huge cars, with 12 cylinders. If you find yourself in Cuba now, you will be convinced of this: many people there still drive hefty American cars of the 50s and 60s with proudly upturned "noses" on which some kind of bird or animal is depicted. I had such a car in California. San Francisco is a hilly city, and when I climbed the next hill, I could not see anything ahead. The hood was on! Because of this, you could get into an accident. But I liked it because it was an unusual feeling.

You also brought white boots from the USA - the first in Holland.

For which, playing in the NEC, he was subjected to merciless criticism after unsuccessful matches. Everyone was criticized only for the game, and I was also reminded of the white boots. But I didn’t care, because these boots were like gloves - they fit the foot so perfectly. In the US, I just fell in love with them.

Were they also a symbol of inner freedom for you?

No, everything is easier. When I played for the Washington Diplomats, the team played in all white - t-shirts, shorts, socks and boots. Just imagine how beautiful it is! So I will not rush out with beautiful slogans and I admit: for me it was not a symbol of freedom, but simply part of a very beautiful shape. Somewhere, by the way, I should keep them, I did not throw them away and did not give them to anyone.

Survived in Turkey, Spain, Korea, USA... What distinguishes Russia from all these countries?

In Russia, they treat their culture with extreme care and cherish it. I know that some Russians criticize themselves for the loss of some values. It is believed that because of computers and the Internet, a new generation, for example, does not want to play the piano, violin, and other musical instruments. And yet we have seen more than once: in so many families, children do something outside of school - or music, or something else from the field of art, or sports. We were pleasantly surprised that parents do so much for the cultural and sports education of children.

And one more thing in Russia seemed to me similar to Spain. Many musicians, politicians and people from other fields are passionate about football. In the Pyrenees, no one can ask - everyone is a fan of one or another team. There is something similar here. Not without reason, when we beat Holland, there was a holiday all over the country, from Moscow to Vladivostok. Then I watched a documentary about that night, it was something amazing. I felt the significance of the victory, and when the whole team met with President Medvedev.

What exactly did you feel?

At first I thought that the meeting would be limited to formal 20 minutes with telephoto lenses and under camera flashes. But then the press was asked to leave - and the informal part began. We took off our jackets and talked. What I liked was the sense of equality that came from the president. Everyone understood the person of what rank they were talking to, but he himself did not make it clear that he was above us. The players accepted these rules of the game without ties and jackets, loosened up, and everything went on for quite some time.

TOO IMpatient FOR CLARINET

Let's get back to music lessons, which you mentioned in relation to Russian children. Your brother Hans is a jazz musician. Were you taught to play musical instruments as a child?

Yes, at the initiative of his parents, he learned to play the clarinet. But I didn't have the patience. WITH soccer ball it was much more interesting! Here, by the way, there is also an instructive moment. It is necessary to make learning music for a child a game! Do not engage in tough instruction, do not force them to learn a boring theory, but come up with a method so that the child will fall in love with this instrument!

Here is a direct analogy with children's football. The children need to be offered exercises, thanks to which they discover something for themselves. Children should not be forced to do anything too much, as this will alienate them. If you are a stupid instructor, then you force you to cram - A, B, C. If you are a smart teacher, the child begins to love what you teach. And this is the most important thing. And in adult football, in my opinion, the game should always remain a game. The one that these guys once fell in love with is not at all like hard work.

They say you like to sing?

Yes, and I have a karaoke system. The first time I got acquainted with this thing was in Korea, and after the success at the World Championships, we all sang like birds as a team. Not good birds- bad, voiceless - but they sang. I can't say that I sing. I love to sing - so it will be more true.

I heard that you like to play "My Way" by Frank Sinatra the most.

It's too simple, don't you think?

Before the match with Finland, you met with the famous pianist Denis Matsuev...

Yes, he came to the hotel, we drank a cup of coffee. And then we organized everything so that he could be at the stadium with photographers, standing outside the goal. I said: "Matsu (as Hiddink in his style called the famous pianist - Approx. I.R.), you will like it!" I asked him: "Tell me after the match what you saw. It's a very big difference - to sit high in the stands or very close to the players." He was shocked, delighted. He described in colors what was happening in the penalty area at corners ...

Matsu, it turned out, plays hockey. I advised him to be careful with his hands. In response, he said that once he even broke his finger. Denis knows where I live in Amsterdam. The famous conductor Valery Gergiev also called me with words of support before the game with the Finns... We will definitely meet with him in the summer.

You have always been a fan of rock music - Pink Floyd, Dire Straits. Now, apparently, fell in love with the classics?

I can't say that I love very complex classical music. For me to like it, it must have power, energy. I also love jazz. But once I happened to see how Gergiev works. He was conducting a famous Dutch orchestra, and a day or two before the performance I got to a rehearsal. There he was in work clothes, cursing. And he demanded perfection from the musicians in the same way that we, coaches, from the players. This desire to extract the best from the team was very similar to a purely sporting situation. And it made a big impression on me.

And what kind of music did you listen to after the victory over Holland, when you were left in your room alone?

I didn't listen to music. After the match, and then after meeting with friends and family, I like to sit for several hours on the balcony of my room in complete silence. At such moments I like to light a cigar, take a glass of wine and look at the mountains, at the stars, at the moon. Fragments of recent matches are scrolling in my head at this moment. So it was after Sweden, and after Holland.

THE STUDENTS WANGED A KNIFE AT ME

After finishing your playing career and starting coaching, you worked simultaneously as a physical education teacher at a school for difficult and mentally retarded teenagers for 12 years.

When you play football, and at a serious level, you break away from the ordinary world and start living a life, I would say, exclusive. I always remind the players of this - and that they must feel their responsibility.

True, I myself, especially when I was playing for De Graafschap, had a slightly different situation. Living in my town and communicating every day with those who have known me since childhood, I never for a day lost contact with ordinary people who have to spend all their time in the struggle for existence. It made me live in reality and not be carried away. And when I started working at this school ... It helped me a lot.

Each of my students went through difficult circumstances, poverty, and often crime. To be able to give them some perspective in life was great, albeit very difficult. And it was no less difficult to get them on your side. If you succeed, it helps a lot in later life, including in the career of a football coach.

What were the most difficult episodes you had there?

Some guys were over-emotional, others kept everything to themselves and were very shy. Some carried knives with them, which they took out when they felt some kind of injustice towards themselves. They could threaten with a knife right in the classroom.

And to my classmates, and to me - when they decided that I was too harsh on them. In these cases, I acted according to the main principle of judo. It consists in the fact that when some force is directed against you, you should not oppose yours to it, but turn the opponent's force in his direction. In this case, the danger of an attack will come to naught.

Is it true that once a student punctured the tires of your car, moreover ... at your request?

Is it true. The guy took out a knife, blushed, he was shaking: "I am now ... I am now ... I will cut your tires now!" The situation was dangerous for the other guys, and I said: "Then what are you doing here? Go out the door, walk 200 meters - and you will see my car. Go!" And he went.

I counted on the fact that - while he was running these 200 meters - he would calm down. Firstly, because the attention of adolescents tends to be distracted, and secondly, because he will have the opportunity to at least think a little and evaluate what he is going to do. I said to myself: "Okay, I'd rather he puncture the tires of my car than hurt one of my classmates." After all, tires are nothing more than rubber.

He punctured the tires - but returned already calmed down. He repeated: "Sorry ... Sorry ..." I let him back into the classroom and said: "Sit down, think about what you did. Maybe you will learn to control yourself." After this episode, it was already possible to talk to him.

Did you ever communicate with the then students afterwards?

Imagine with the same guy! He had already finished school, he was 21 years old, and he was hired. Once, when I was sitting at home, the doorbell rang out of the blue. "Mister, I wanted to come and have a drink with you." It was nice. Sometimes even now I see those guys - after all, they live in the same area where my parents do ... now it’s only my father. They have a normal life, a normal job - maybe not some very high-paying one, but it doesn't matter. More importantly, they live their lives and are happy.

Does your charitable foundation still exist in Korea?

Yes, and it is flourishing. Every year we open one or two artificial fields, either for the disabled, or for the mentally retarded, or for children from poor families, orphans, and so on. Fund employees work there all the time, and I come once or twice a year.

Are you going to establish a similar fund in Russia?

I am always open to such ideas. But I can't do this alone. We need someone's help, first of all - the authorities.

MONEY IN MILK CANS

I read an amazing story about you. How PSV bought you from your native De Graafschap, but after the season in Eindhoven, De Graafschap fans collected 40 thousand guilders to return you - despite the fact that the club did not have money for this.

This is true. De Graafschap was a poor club. Its leaders wanted to bring me back because the goal was to reach the top flight. But there was no money to redeem me. Our area is farming. And the fans did just that. Empty milk cans were placed around the perimeter of the stadium, as well as in several busy places in the city. And everyone who wanted to participate in the payment of the PSV transfer fee had to throw 10 guilders into the can - there was such a blue bill. And they got the right amount.

I often tell the players that football is for the people on the street and that we must not forget that. And I always remember this story.

How did you feel when the money was raised?

The feeling was ambivalent. On the one hand, it's amazing to feel so needed, needed. But what a responsibility! Poor people paid their hard-earned money for me. And when I played badly, they met me in the street and exclaimed: "Give me back my ten guilders."

Therefore, I pumped myself up all the time: "You must show the maximum!" And the next year we went to major league. You can imagine how happy that brought me.

25 CUPS OF COFFEE A DAY

Once you loved to ride with the breeze on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Are you doing it in your native land to this day?

Sometimes. But for this, the asphalt must be dry. I don’t rush at great speed, but I just enjoy it. Sometimes I take off my helmet, which is not allowed by the rules, to enjoy the unique roar of the motorcycle. It's great to ride along the sea or through the forest. For a long time, however, this did not happen, because I spent a lot of time in Russia. The last time I started my Harleys was three or four months ago. But I want to and will do it. As well as riding a bike, which I manage to do a little more often.

Did you recover in this way after Euro?

Yes I prefer leisure. I put on jeans, ride a motorcycle and a bicycle, play tennis.

All Russia knows about your passion for cappuccino. When did it start?

In Spain. There, however, not cappuccino, but a special kind of coffee - cortado. A small cup with a few drops of milk. And in "Valencia" I drank it all the time, and in "Real" and "Betis". Could drink 20-25 cups a day.

Isn't this amount of coffee unhealthy?

Every year and a half I do a complete medical examination. There are no problems. Really, Elizabeth? (Here Hiddink's life partner nodded affirmatively. - Approx. I.R.) In fairness, I note that now I drink only a couple of cups of cappuccino a day.

At what age did you start smoking cigars?

Recently. About two years ago. One cigar per evening gives a feeling of peace and relaxation. Please note that I am not a heavy smoker. For me, it's just a form of relaxation.

Are you indifferent to cigarettes?

Now yes. When he was a player, he also did not smoke or drink at all. But in the last six months of my playing career, I liked to smoke a cigarette after the game. When I started exercising, I started doing it more often. In Holland they like to make roll-ups. I did not escape this hobby.

And then he underwent a serious operation on the intestines. I took cigarettes with me to the hospital, thinking that after the operation I would immediately start smoking. But I didn't even have that desire. Not because I wanted to quit, but, apparently, because too much anesthesia was introduced into the body. And the body said: I do not want nicotine. Since then, no cigarettes.

I CAN'T BEAR CYNISM

Have you had moments in your life that could break you as a person?

You should always follow what your heart tells you. What I do - both in professional and personal life.

I don’t ask about personal, but when did you have such a choice in your professional life?

After the 2002 World Cup, I received offers that involved a lot of money. But if in my choice I was guided only by them, then after one or two years of work it would be just right to finish my coaching career. By accepting such offers, you neglect both the people around you and your profession.

Can you name the country?

Are you able to understand Zico, who went to work in Uzbekistan? And Rivaldo, who went there to play?

Zico went to Uzbekistan? Did not know. People have the right to make the decisions they see fit, and I don't want to judge them. Many called me crazy myself when I accepted offers from Korea, Australia and Russia. So let these "many" make assessments. And I, not knowing the circumstances, will not.

With age and experience, knowing life, some people lose faith in people. You just seem to be getting more and more. Why?

Although I am not the youngest person and coach, I categorically cannot understand cynical people. Sometimes you have to force yourself to go back 30, 40 years - and remember what you were then. And what did you think about the people who taught and raised you. If they were cynics who didn't believe in anything themselves, they couldn't teach you anything good.

Young people have the energy and ambition to achieve great things in life. It was so a hundred years ago and it will be so in a hundred years. And I have no right to kill these qualities through cynicism. On the contrary, my duty is to produce human ambitions and hopes.

When you last time crying?

Recently, when my mother died. We had seen each other a week earlier, and I invited her to our new house. But she didn't have time...

She lived a wonderful life, 88 years old. And then one day she fell, ended up in a coma - and never regained consciousness. Of course, it was very hard for me, because an entire era had ended. But it was even harder to watch the sadness of his father, who is 92. He understood what was happening. But at first I believed that my mother would have an operation, and she would return to life. And at some point I realized that it could not be returned. And when I saw the two of them... Mom in a coma and dad holding her hand... It was a very, very emotional moment.

PEOPLE GET MORE Humble IN DAYS OF CRISES

In 2002, you sensationally reached the semi-finals of the World Cup with the Korean team - and decided to leave. In 2008, no less sensationally reached the semi-finals of the European Championship with the Russian team - and decided to stay. What is the difference?

I also liked Korea. But the football infrastructure there was very good. Clubs organized by large companies - Samsung, Hyundai and others - were well built in all respects. And I did not see for myself work there, with the help of which it would be possible to raise everything one more step.

And for Russia, the Euro-2008 bronze medal is only the beginning of football renewal. Infrastructure, search and development of talents, education of coaches. Much more needs to be done in this country to use its full potential. I was happy to meet many wonderful people whose support inspires me to continue working in Russia.

Can you imagine that our team will become the 2010 World Champion?

I understand perfectly well: I have no right to answer that it is impossible. However, we must be realistic. This is me about what is now in the courtyard of December 2008. First you need to qualify in our difficult group. To do this, we must work very seriously and get the support of everyone in the country who is related to football. And then we'll think about the next goal. And remember: nothing is impossible.

What could you wish for 2009 to our newspaper and... to yourself?

Yourself? I am no longer young - and I hope that, as I grow older, I will maintain a healthy body and spirit. of the same - healthy body and spirit - I wish everyone, including our team. I can guarantee that she will give game all, what does she have. It is not in my power to always guarantee the result, but the spirit that we have lately has appeared will definitely remain. And we hope to make it even stronger.

As for SE, I wish that your newspaper continues to work with the same sense of responsibility, with the same dedication and devotion to its work, which I have seen since the beginning of our communication. I'm sure it will. I am open to criticism and, moreover, I consider it necessary. If this criticism is fair and positive, it must be expressed regardless of faces. We, in turn, will study it and improve. Because no one should ever think that he has achieved everything. Not a coach, not a football player, not a journalist - I repeat, no one. And next year, as in any other, each of us will have to learn something.

The whole world, including Russia, was covered by the financial crisis. Do you think it will change us a lot?

There is a lot of talk about it now. Well, in times of crisis, people become more modest and creative. If your mindset is positive, if you are full of energy, ready to work properly and do not whine from melancholy and pessimism, then you are not afraid of a crisis. It will only make you stronger.

"I AM GOOD WHERE I AM!"
"Sport Express" , 01.12.2012
Anji head coach Guus Hiddink spoke about why he began to think about ending his career, shared his vacation plans and remembered almost all of his eminent wards.

FIRST	OLYMPUS	UNOFFICIAL	DATE	MATCH	FIELD
1			16.08.2006	RUSSIA - LATVIA - 1:0	d
2			06.09.2006	RUSSIA - CROATIA - 0:0	d
3			07.10.2006	RUSSIA - ISRAEL - 1:1	d
4			11.10.2006	RUSSIA - ESTONIA - 2:0	d
5			15.11.2006	MACEDONIA - RUSSIA - 0:2	G
6			07.02.2007	HOLLAND - RUSSIA - 4:1	G
7			24.03.2007	ESTONIA - RUSSIA - 0:2	G
8			02.06.2007	RUSSIA - ANDORRA - 4:0	d
9			06.06.2007	CROATIA - RUSSIA - 0:0	G
10			22.08.2007	RUSSIA - POLAND - 2:2	d
11			08.08.2007	RUSSIA - MACEDONIA - 3:0	d
12			12.09.2007	ENGLAND - RUSSIA - 3:0	G
13			17.10.2007	RUSSIA - ENGLAND - 2:1	d
14			17.11.2007	ISRAEL - RUSSIA - 2:1	G
15			21.11.2007	ANDORRA - RUSSIA - 0:1	G
16			26.03.2008	ROMANIA - RUSSIA - 3:0	G
17			23.05.2008	RUSSIA - KAZAKHSTAN - 6:0	d
18			28.05.2008	SERBIA - RUSSIA - 1:2	n
19			04.06.2008	LITHUANIA - RUSSIA - 1:4	n
20			10.06.2008	SPAIN - RUSSIA - 4:1	n
21			14.06.2008	GREECE - RUSSIA - 0:1	n
22			18.06.2008	SWEDEN - RUSSIA - 0:2	n
23			21.06.2008	HOLLAND - RUSSIA - 1:3	n
24			26.06.2008	SPAIN - RUSSIA - 3:0	n
25			20.08.2008	RUSSIA - HOLLAND - 1:1	d
26			10.09.2008	RUSSIA - WALES - 2:1	d
27			11.10.2008	GERMANY - RUSSIA - 2:1	G
28			15.10.2008	RUSSIA - FINLAND - 3:0	d
29			28 03 2009	RUSSIA - AZERBAIJAN - 2:0	d
30			01 04 2009	LIECHTENSTEIN - RUSSIA - 0:1	G
31			10 06 2009	FINLAND - RUSSIA - 0:3	G
32			12 08 2009	RUSSIA - ARGENTINA - 2:3	d
33			05 09 2009	RUSSIA - LIECHTENSTEIN - 3:0	d
34			09 09 2009	WALES - RUSSIA - 1:3	G
35			10 10 2009	RUSSIA - GERMANY - 0:1	d
36			14 10 2009	AZERBAIJAN - RUSSIA - 1:1	G
37			14 11 2009	RUSSIA - SLOVENIA - 2:1	d
38			18 11 2009	SLOVENIA - RUSSIA - 1:0	G
39			03.03.2010	HUNGARY - RUSSIA - 1:1	G
39
+22 =7 10

Guus Hiddink is one of the brightest representatives Dutch coaching school, he has worked successfully with both club teams and national teams.

Guus Hiddink

• Country - Holland.
• Born: November 8, 1946.

Biography and career of Guus Hiddink

Guus Hiddink was born in the small Dutch town of Varseveld in an ordinary family, where, in addition to him, there were five children, and, interestingly, all boys.

Guus Hiddink - footballer

Career Hiddink - football player, to put it mildly, was not outstanding. After joining amateur club Varssveld, he soon moved to Dutch top division club De Graafschap, where he spent most of his career playing as a midfielder.

In 1970, one of the flagships of Dutch football, PSV, became interested in Hiddink, but he could not gain a foothold in the base of the club, and returned two years later. Then there were two seasons in MLS - in the Washington Diplomats and San Jose Earthquakes, homecoming, first to NEC, and then to his native De Grafschap, where Guus Hiddink ended his playing career.

Guus Hiddink coaching career

Guus Hiddink has a reputation for being somewhat of a lucky guy (one of his nicknames is "The Lucky Dutchman"), and many people have the impression that he was successful almost everywhere he worked. Actually it is not.

As head coach, Guus Hiddink has worked with seven clubs and five national teams. And the balance was not always positive. We will not go far - under his leadership, the Dutch team could not qualify for Euro 2016, where almost half of the participants now get qualifying tournament.

Therefore, my story will not be a chronological enumeration of teams headed by Guus Hiddink, I will only tell about the main milestones of his still glorious coaching career.

"PSV"

1987-1990, 2002-2006

In 1982, Guus Hiddink began work in coaching staff"De Grafschap", two years later moved to the headquarters of "PSV", and in 1987 led the team. And the time of Hiddink's work is inscribed in the history of PSV in golden letters. In the first season, the team under his leadership won the championship, the Dutch Cup and the European Cup. By the way, the only time in its history.

Hiddink debugged the game in defense, which he led on the field - in 34 matches the team conceded only 28 goals (for Erdivize, where the score is 4:3 in almost every round, the result is outstanding), and the attack relied more on improvisation. As a result, in the championship matches, the PSV players sent 117 goals into the opponents' goal (Ajax became the second in this indicator - 78), and the striker of the team Wim Kieft with 29 goals became top scorer tournament.

At the same time, Hiddink acquired a reputation for being lucky. The fact is that PSV won the Champions Cup without winning a single victory in the last five matches and scoring only two goals in them! How so, you ask? Yes, it's very simple - the quarter-finals with Bordeaux and the semi-finals with Real ended in the same way - 1-1 away and 0-0 at home, i.e. PSV went further due to the away goals rule, and in the final against Benfica, which also ended with a score of 0: 0, Hiddink's team won in the penalty shoot-out.

Then there was a "golden double" in the 1988-1989 season and the Dutch Cup, won in 1990, after which Guus Hiddink left the club.

Hiddink's second arrival at PSV came in 2002, and the club then won three league titles in a row. Moreover, Hiddink once again created a sensation, bringing PSV to the semi-finals of the 2004-2005 Champions League. Speaking of Hiddink's luck. I propose a game - in the course of my story I will note cases of his luck and bad luck, and you decide for yourself whether he is really lucky.

So here's the first semi-final match against Milan ended in a 2-0 victory for the Italians. In the second leg at home, PSV managed to close this gap, and everything went to extra time. But in the first added minute, Massimo Ambrosini still managed to score a goal. In the remaining time, Philippe Cocu hit the gates of Milan for the third time, but this did not save PSV.

Holland national team

1994 – 1998, 2014-2015

After failures with Fenerbahce and Valencia, Guus Hiddink received an offer to lead the Dutch team, which was going through better times. However, a good generation was growing up among the Dutch, and a coach was needed who would be able to give results with this team.

At Euro 1996, the Dutch were eliminated from the quarter-final stage, losing to France on penalties. However, the team was still damp, its hour was to come to an end.

And this hour has come - at that World Cup the Dutch team showed the best football, confidently taking first place in the group, and beating the strong teams of Yugoslavia and Argentina in the playoffs. The semi-final with the reigning world champions Brazilians, which became a real decoration of the tournament, ended in a 1-1 draw, and the Brazilian football players more accurately performed the penalty.

And how do you like Guus Hiddink's "luck" - relegation from two major tournaments in a row as a result of football roulette?

As I said above, under the leadership of Hiddink, the Dutch could not overcome the qualifying barrier for the European Championship in 2016. Towards the end of his career, the Maestro noticeably passed. I understand that the Dutch national team now has perhaps the worst generation of footballers in the last half century, but letting the teams of the Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey go ahead, despite the fact that the Czechs and Turks are also going through hard times, is a clear overkill.

"Real Madrid

1998 – 1999

But back to the late 90s. Immediately after the French World Cup, Guus Hiddink headed Real Madrid. In principle, this page in his career could be omitted, but work in the "royal" club, whatever its results, should be noted.

At the time of Hiddink's arrival, Real Madrid were the reigning Champions League winners, but Barcelona owned the league title, and the Dutchman had the task of returning him to the Santiago Bernabeu. Plus, of course, a successful performance in the Champions League.

However, by February, the gap in the championship from the Catalans was 11 points, and Hiddink was fired from his post as head coach of Real Madrid. The only trophy he managed to win was the Intercontinental Cup.

South Korea national team

2001-2002

Hiddink spent another year in Spain, coaching Betis, after which he led the South Korean national team. The South Koreans hosted the World Cup (together with Japan) and they needed a coach who could solve the problem of getting out of the group (before that, the South Koreans made their way to five times in final part mundials, and invariably left the tournament after the first round).

I must say that Guus Hiddink thoroughly approached the mission entrusted to him. Realizing that his wards had few trump cards, he took up something that could be thoroughly improved - physical readiness.

Three months before the start of the championship, South Korean footballers began a focused preparation for the tournament - a case that has no analogues in the history of football! Nutritionists, masseurs, special fitness trainers all worked towards the same goal.

And, I must say, it was achieved. The way the South Koreans played the first five matches of the tournament was to be seen - non-stop movement, acceleration, jerking and struggle. Such a game even gave rise to a joke that Hiddink, they say, changes all field players during the break - anyway, for Europeans, all Koreans look the same.

Jokes aside, but the result - victories over the national teams of Portugal, Italy and Spain, and reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup was impressive. “Yes, there was help from the referees,” experienced fans will remember. Yes, there was, and about this.

But there was something else too. It was 0:1 in the 1/8 final match against Italy, when Hiddink threw more and more forwards on the field, brought their number to five, which eventually allowed the score to be equalized. Did the judges beat the penalty for the players of the Spanish national team in the quarterfinals?

So Hiddink gave a result, and this result has surpassed even bold expectations and is unlikely to be repeated in the foreseeable future.

Australian national team

2005 – 2006

They decided to use the South Korean experience in Australia. The national team of this country for a long time smashed its rivals in Oceania (this was before the Australians moved to the Asian Football Confederation), but invariably lost in play-offs to representatives South America. A specific goal was set for the Dutch specialist - to lead the team to the final part of the World Cup.

And Hiddink coped with this task. The national teams of Australia and Uruguay in the play-offs exchanged home victories with a score of 1:0, and the Australians won on penalties. How else? After all, they were led by "lucky" Hiddink.

In the final part of the championship, the Australian team started the match with Japan and was losing 0:1 until the 84th minute. However, then the substitutions made by Hiddink played - a double of Tim Cahill and John Aloisi brought the Australians their first victory in the world championships. Losing to the Brazilian team and drawing with Croatia, the Australian team reached the playoffs, where they met with the Italian team.

Most of the second half, the Australians played in the majority, but already in stoppage time, the Spanish referee Luis Medina Contalejo "invented" a penalty, which he converted.

Again, the discrepancy with the image of "lucky Hiddink." But in the quarterfinals, the winner of this pair was waiting for the Ukrainian team, which was quite tough for the "golden generation" of Australian football.

Russian team

2006-2010

While still a coach of the Australian national team, Guus Hiddink signed a contract with the Russian Football Union, becoming the first foreign coach in the history of the Russian team. I spoke in detail about his activities in this post in the article "", I see no reason to repeat myself, I will focus on the main merits of the Dutchman.

First, as in the case of South Korea, Hiddink immediately decided on the concept of the team's game. Realizing that our players are few technically superior, he relied on speed, significantly rejuvenating the team. At the same time, the Dutchman had to, as they say, cut to the quick, refusing the services of smart, technical, not far from fast players - Dmitry Loskov. Vladislav Radimov, and a little later - Yegor Titov.

Secondly, he expanded the circle of candidates for the national team. Under Hiddink, the players saw that in order to get into the national team you need to play football well, and no matter where you do it. Pavel Pogrebnyak, for example, was drafted into national team from the provincial "Tom".

Thirdly, the Dutch specialist's "unblurred" view allowed him to make seemingly paradoxical decisions, which, nevertheless, gave results, such as the use of Yuri Zhirkov as a defender.

In the end, after several painful matches, we finally saw how the Russian team plays football. The apotheosis of the qualifying tournament for Euro 2008 was a home victory over the England team, when Roman Pavlyuchenko, who had been replaced by the Dutchman, turned the course of the unsuccessful match for us.

But Russian football players behaved in their "best" traditions, losing at a party to Israel, which had already lost its chances. Now we had to count on the guest victory of the Croatian national team, which had already secured a place in the group, over the British. This time luck was on the side of Hiddink and Russia - the Croats won and we went to the European Championship.

It still remains the brightest page in its history. Hiddink once again proved himself a master of preparing the team for a short tournament. In the quarterfinals, our team knocked out the compatriots of their head coach, the Dutch, from the tournament. Then Hiddink at the pre-match press conference said:

"I don't mind being the traitor."

These words were remembered to him for a long time at home, although Hus himself apologized, saying that the word "betrayal" was inappropriate in this situation.

But the most important, in my opinion, the merit of Hiddink as coach of the Russian national team is that we, the fans, finally believed in the team, that the Russian team can play football. This was especially evident in the qualifying round of the 2010 World Cup, when our team competed with the German national team. As a result, we lost both matches to the Germans and took second place in the group, but I remember this feeling “We can!” well.

And in the "Maribor shame", I believe, the fault lies entirely with the players. All Russian fans should thank Gus Ivanovich, as we called him, for the first time we saw the Russian team play (and win) in the playoffs of a major tournament.

Chelsea

In the middle of the 2008-2009 season, Luis Felipe Scolari was fired from the post of head coach of Chelsea and Roman Abramovich offered Hiddink to lead the team until the end of the season. The Dutchman worked with the Russian national team, but the RFU gave the go-ahead to combine posts, since it was Abramovich who provided the financial side of the contract of the Russian Football Union with the Dutchman.

With Chelsea, Guus Hiddink won the FA Cup, and also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, where, on aggregate (0:0 away and 1:1 at home), he lost to Barcelona in one of the most scandalous confrontations of recent times. Remember when the Norwegian referee Erik Hauge missed four (some even counted six) penalties against the Catalans.

What, put a plus sign in the column "bad luck"?

End of career

After that, Hiddink worked with Anji Makhachkala and the Turkish national team, but without much success, and ended his career at Chelsea, where he served as head coach in 2016 after the dismissal of Jose Mourinho.

Titles of Guus Hiddink

1. Six-time Dutch champion.
2. Four-time winner of the Dutch Cup.
3. Dutch Super Cup winner.
4. FA Cup Winner.
5. Winner of the European Champions Cup.
6. Winner of the Intercontinental Cup.
7. Fourth place at the World Championships - 2 times.
8. Bronze medalist of the European Championship.

Family and personal life of Guus Hiddink

Guus Hiddink lived with his official wife, Ine Bemkes, for 30 years, and now he maintains only friendly relations, although formally their marriage has not broken up (divorce in Holland is quite an expensive pleasure). Gus and Ine have two adult sons, Mark and Michael.

Hiddink lives with a Dutchwoman of Surinamese origin Elizabeth Pinas, whom he met during his work in South Korea.

• Throughout his career as a football player, Guus Hiddink has not won a single trophy.
• Guus Hiddink has an honorary sports title"Honored Coach of Russia".
• After the success of the Russian national team at Euro 2008, Guus Hiddink gained immense popularity in our country, children were even named after him. And in the Crimea, a monument to Guus Hiddink was opened, and they did it even before the quarterfinal match with the Dutch.
• The popularity of Hus received a response from comedians - the Comedy Club showed the country skits "Guus Hiddink and his translator" and "Guus Hiddink after his release", and in the "Big Difference" program they performed "Guus Hiddink's Song".
• And in Russia, a documentary film was made about him, which is called: “Hiddink. Gus Ivanovich.

• But that's nothing compared to South Korea. For his success at the World Cup, Gus received the title of Honorary Citizen of this country, a luxurious villa on one of the islands, the right to free travel in all South Korean cities, and free flights on planes of two South Korean airlines. A stadium in the city of Gwangju was also named after him, and the most zealous fans urged Hiddink to run for president.
• In addition to his native language, Guus Hiddink speaks English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, and can also speak South Korean, Japanese and Russian.
• Being the coach of Real Madrid, Guus Hiddink promised to shave off his mustache if the club won the Intercontinental Cup, and he kept his promise.
• In September 2006, Guus Hiddink was found guilty of tax evasion. In the Netherlands, a court sentenced him to a fine of 45,000 euros and 6 months of probation.

Well, at the end of my story, I propose to estimate the balance of Guus Hiddink's luck and answer the question, what was the key to his success - luck or skill? I answered this question a long time ago and unequivocally - skill.

After all, one bare luck in coaching will not go far.