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“I am staying” – Hiddink
Published: 19 November, 2009, 12:06
Edited: 04 December, 2009, 11:16
Guus Hiddink
TAGS: Sport, Hiddink, Football
Russia’s national team coach Guus Hiddink says he’ll keep working with the team despite their loss to Slovenia in Word Cup 2010 playoffs on Wednesday.
”I am not leaving the Russian team. I have a contract till June 2010, and now is the time to weigh all pros and cons, to make a measured decision. Moreover, I already have a proposal on the extension of the contract from the Russian football authorities,” Guus Hiddink told Lifesport.ru.
Talking about the Maribor game against Slovenia, which his team lost 1-0, receiving two red cards from Terje Hauge, Hiddink decided not to blame the poor result on the referee.
“I have not seen the replays so far, but judging from the words of my players, the ref has made several blunders. And when he red carded Aleksandr Kerzhakov, he couldn’t see the situation in detail. However, I do not intend to explain our defeat by the referee’s errors. We had to score our goals and take it into the finals. No one prevented us from doing so. We have only ourselves to blame,” the Dutchman stressed.
Russia’s two-leg clash with Slovenia ended in a 2-2 draw, but the Slovenians progressed due to an away goal in Moscow.
“It is a very hurtful result. Everybody considered Russia as the favorite, but we were unable to show the game we can play. The score of the first game [which Russia won 2-1] affected the overall result, especially an unnecessary goal we conceded at the end of the match. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Russian team, I want to apologize before millions of football fans all over Russia for having failed to justify their hopes,” the 62-year-old said.
Guus Hiddink has been the most successful coach of the national team since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The 62-year-old led Russia to the semis of Euro 2008, which they reached by beating Hiddink’s native Holland in an epic quarterfinal.
He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract worth $2.4 million a year with Russia in 2006. There is a clause in the deal that it can be prolonged for another two years.
19.11.2009, 00:58
15 comments
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It seems to me than the problems with football and sports in general, in Russia, the USA, France etc. are deeper that what is seen on a specific day. France, with the help of so many immigrants, former colonies'minorities and a blind referee will go to South-Africa. In Lyon, over 40 automobiles were burned because of the result of a football match played in Soudan between Algeria and Egypte. Over all November 18-2009, like many other days, was a sad day for sports. This can be explained; I, already did it; but this will be rather long to do and will hurt many feelings. Let us wait a little longer. Nevertheless, Mr Hidding should go (see one of my previous comments, some months ago). Best Regards...Jean-Claude Meslin
I like him, but it is time to move on! I did not appreciate his cold-behavior when the referee was really way out (almost too obvious...). He should have yelled with the 4th man and jumped around his box a bit more, the Italian way :-) , a little more at least to show psychological support to his players that were a bit at loss due ALSO (not only, of course) due to the referee's calls.
In the present times, a foreign coach can perform well in a very rich club. Now, most big European football clubs have a great number of foreign players. The boss must be understood by everyone; consequently, his authority is not dependent on his nationality. For national teams; mostly of a large country like Russia (huge territory, 140 millions ha.) the language, the knowledge and the overall psychology of the people have a greater importance. If above his national responsibilities, the same person, also coach a private club of worldwide reputation, it become impossible to do a good job in both places. Beside, in the Russian case, this country has produced some excellent players and coaches...Peter the Great loved dutch marine's experts but this happened three centuries ago. Football is something else and wasting a lot of money in this sport does not warranty success. The Hiddink experience was rather the will of a Russian oligarch who dreamed too much. It will be better to take example of Russia's actual club champion. Sincerely. Jean-Claude Meslin