Guus Hiddink is coaching now. Guus Hiddink: “I missed Guus Ivanovich.” Beginning of coaching career

Guus Hiddink - Dutch coach and football player, coached the national teams of Russia, the Netherlands, Turkey, Australia, South Korea. Hus was born on November 8, 1946 in the Dutch city of Varseveld in a large family of two teachers, Gerrit and Jo, in which five more sons were raised: Wim, Hans, Rene, Arnold and Karel. The boy became interested in football from childhood, and at the same time managed to help his parents with housework. Gus learned to milk a cow and handle horses.

In his youth, he began his football career at the local club Varseveld, where Hiddink played as a midfielder. After school, he entered the Central Institute of Sports Coaches in the city of Overveen, from which he graduated with honors in 1966.

Football

Hiddink began his sports biography as a professional football player. In 1967, Hus signed an agreement with football team Dutinchem club "De Graafschap", while remaining a coach youth team special schools for children with developmental delays. Gus worked as a school teacher until 1984. Soon the midfielder was entrusted with the duties of assistant coach of the main team.

In 1969, the club from Doetinchem won the second league tournament and received a place in the first division. After ten years at De Graafschap, Hus became a member of the North American football league Washington Diplomats and San Jose Earthquakes, the footballer also played for the Nijmegen club NEK. In 1981 he returned to the De Graafschap club for two years. Guus Hiddink's achievements as a midfielder include 500 matches and 80 goals scored over a 15-year career.

Coaching career

Hiddink officially began his coaching career in 1981 at the Doetinchem club. In 1984 he moved to PSV, where in 1987 he received the position of head coach. Led by Hiddink, the team became the champion of the Netherlands three times and the winner of the National Cup three times. In 1988 the club won the European Cup. In 1990, Gus received an invitation to coach from the Istanbul club Fenerbahce, and a year later he became the head coach of the Spanish Valencia.

In 1995, Hiddink returned to his homeland and led the national team. Under the leadership of the head coach, the team finished fourth at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. From the same year, the coach led Real Madrid, which immediately won the Intercontinental Cup. But the club president pursued his own interests and lobbied certain players, which went against Hiddink's policies.

Long-term disputes forced the coach to move to Betis a year later, and a year later to leave Spain. Leading the South Korean national team, Gus led the team to fourth place in the 2002 World Cup, which was the team's greatest achievement ever.

In 2002, Hiddink returned to the Netherlands and took charge of the PSV team for four years. Under Guus Hiddink, the club's players took first place in the national tournament three times and won the Dutch Cup and Super Cup. While working in Holland, the coach conducted technical consultations with the South Korean football association. In 2005, the coach took charge of the Australian national team, which immediately reached the World Cup finals.

In 2006, Guus Hiddink was invited to lead the Russian national team. The contract, according to which Hiddink's salary was 7 million euros per year, was signed for 4 seasons. The coach worked with the players according to a schedule that included periodic departures of the Dutchman to his homeland. In Russia, Hiddink was treated warmly; many football fans called the national team coach “Hiddink Gus Ivanovich.” Photos of the Russian national team coach were printed on flags, souvenirs, posters, and gift nesting dolls.

In 2008 Russian team sensationally took third place in the European Championship, losing to Spain with a score of 3:0.

After the players returned to their homeland, a program was organized with their participation, in which artists from the Comedy Club and the Factory group performed. IN qualifying competition At the 2010 World Cup, the team was defeated, and Guus Hiddink left the post of head coach.

In 2009, in addition to working in Russia, Hiddink oversaw English club Chelsea and led him to first place in the FA Cup.

In 2010, Gus took over as head coach of the Turkish national team, and two years later he moved to the Dagestan club Anzhi, which he helped win third place in the Russian Cup. Since 2014, he led the Dutch national team for two years.

Personal life

In the mid-60s, Guus Hiddink married a woman the same age as Ine Bemkes, who gave the footballer two sons - Michael (born 1969) and Mark (born 1972).

In the 2000s, the coach began officially dating a girl, Elizabeth Pinas, who was several decades younger than him. Gus remained on friendly terms with his first wife, but never married Elizabeth, and simply calls her a friend.

Guus Hiddink now

The coach has been on a well-deserved retirement for several years now, but constantly monitors the events taking place in the world of football. Now Guus Hiddink works as an expert on the sports channel Fox Sport USA. In 2017, on instructions from the channel, he visited the Confederations Cup, and therefore arrived in St. Petersburg.

In an interview Russian media Guus Hiddink spoke positively about the command staff of the Russian national team, which performed at the Confederations Cup tournament in the Russian Federation, and also wished success to the women's team at the European Championship. In his free time from football, Gus visited a cancer center for children.

Achievements

• Six-time Eredivisie champion
• Four-time Dutch Cup winner
• Winner of the European Cup - 1987
• Real Madrid Club - winner of the Intercontinental Cup - 1998
• Fourth place for the Netherlands at the World Championships - 1998
• Fourth place of the South Korean team at the World Championships - 2002
• Dutch Super Cup Winner - 2003
• Third place of the Russian team at the European Championships - 2008
• Chelsea Club - FA Cup winner - 2009

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

Guus Hiddink: biography, career, personal life

From Masterweb

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

Biography

Guus Hiddink was born on November 8, 1946 in the Netherlands, in the city of Varseveld. He grew up in a large family of teachers. As a child, his main hobby was football. G. Hiddink devoted all his free time to his favorite sport, while still managing to help his parents.

Guus Hiddink began his playing career in early age in the city club "Varseveld", where he was assigned to the position of midfielder. After graduating from school, he was enrolled at the Central Institute of Sports Coaches in Overveen, where he was one of the best students and graduated with honors in 1966.

Professional career

After graduation, Guus Hiddink signed a contract with football club"De Graafschap" from Doetinchem, while also coaching a team for children with developmental delays. He remained a children's mentor until 1984, combining this work with his professional activities as a football player.

In 1969, the footballer helped De Graafschap reach the first division of the Dutch championship, after which he moved to the Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League. Later, Guus Hiddink signed an agreement with the San Jose Earthquakes, and some time later he played for the NEK club from Nijmingham. In 1981, Hus was accepted back to De Graafschap with honors, where he ended his football career a few years later. Guus Hiddink has 500 matches and 80 goals as a player over 15 years of work.

Coaching work

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

In 1995, he received an invitation to lead the Dutch national team. In 1998, the World Cup was held in France, at which the Dutch team, in a difficult fight, took fourth place, losing to Croatia in the match for third place.

After the World Cup, Guus Hiddink took charge of Real Madrid, with whom he soon won the Intercontinental Cup. But due to disagreements with the club's management in 2000, he had to leave first for Real Betis, and six months later - for the South Korean national team. What seemed to all skeptics to be a regression, in fact turned out to be the most the 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 highest football achievement of this country.

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

In 2005, Hus was invited to join the Australian team, which he led to the round of 16 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where they lost to eventual winners Italy late in the match due to a 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 a difficult group, Russia entered the playoffs from second place, which brought the team to one of the tournament favorites - the Netherlands - in the quarterfinals. But Guus Hiddink found the necessary tactical arrangement, and his team won with a score of 3:1. This caused the entire country to rejoice. Despite the fact that Spain defeated Russia in the semi-finals, the national team led by Hus shared third place with Turkey. But since the coach failed to lead the national team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the coach announced the end of his work with the team.

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

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

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

After this, Guus Hiddink's career began to decline. First, he was unable to lead 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 a sports analyst for Fox Sports USA.

He meets with a Dutch citizen, Elisabeth Pinas, who is several decades younger than him.

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

Guus Hiddink flew home on a private jet without really saying goodbye to the club that made him rich and the country that once idolized him.

The story of Hiddink's departure from Anzhi caused bewilderment even among Dutch journalists. Not a single publication explained the exact and reliable reasons for the coach’s disagreement with the Dagestan club. Only one meager quote appeared in the media.
- Why did I leave? This has nothing to do with other clubs, there is no reason worth talking about,” Hiddink told AD Sportwereld and limited himself to this statement. However, it is likely that one day Grandfather Gus will write the whole truth about leaving Anzhi in his traditional column in De Telegraaf.

AGENT: MAYBE THE CLIENT WILL TAKE A BREAK

Yesterday morning I managed to get through to Kees van Nieuwenhuizen, Huss' agent, and inquire about the coach's plans.

– Did Gus and Anji manage to break off relations? Or are there still issues that need to be resolved?
– I can’t comment.
– Is Gus going to end his coaching career or does he have the strength to work with some other club?
“Urgent matters need to be resolved first.” It is quite possible that he will take a break from activity. True, we did not discuss this topic with him.

ASSISTANT: GUS DID NOT EXPLAIN ANYTHING

Zeljko Petrovich, who worked as Gus’s assistant at Anzhi, turned out to be more talkative. Just the other day it became known that he was leaving the club.
“I decided to stay in Moscow for another week,” Petrovich admits. – I have many friends here, and what’s to hide – I love Moscow.
– How did you break up with Hiddink?
– After the well-known decision, we, of course, met for two days in a row.
-Where is Gus now?
– I flew out of Moscow on Thursday.
– Surely you discussed leaving Anzhi. Can you explain why Gus took such an unexpected step?
– I can’t, because I don’t know the reasons. Gus retired from the club and I followed suit. We came to Anji together, worked hand in hand all this time, and I considered it necessary to leave after Hiddink on the same day.
- But why did Gus decide to leave?
“But I simply don’t know the answer to this question.” I didn’t ask him; I considered it impossible for myself. I can only say that we have maintained excellent relationships with everyone at the club. I don’t know what happened there last week, but I don’t think it’s right to ask questions - I had a great time at Anzhi, but sometimes the moment of parting just comes. The reasons are not that important. Maybe when we meet Hus in a couple of weeks in Holland in a calm atmosphere, we can discuss what happened. But now is definitely not the time.
Over the three years that we spent at the club, Anzhi first took fifth place, then third, played in European cups, reached the final of the National Cup,” Petrovich lists. “During this time, together, with the support of everyone - from Suleiman Kerimov to videographers - we took the team to a completely new level. We are on the same level as the leading clubs - Zenit, CSKA, Spartak, Rubin. Now the club needs to take a new step. And taking this step will be difficult. Although I do not rule out that Anji will become a champion in the near future.
– Did you manage to say goodbye to the players?
- Now is not the right time to say goodbye - the team has a game with Krylia Sovetov coming up. You need to understand: Anji is more important than me, Anji is more important than everything. I would like to express my gratitude through the newspaper to everyone involved in the club: you are all wonderful and very serious people, it was a pleasure to work with, I love you.
– In your opinion, is Rene Melensteen the very person who can make Anji the first?
– I’ve known Rene for only two weeks. But I sincerely hope for his success. I don't feel any envy or jealousy. He will need time. It’s great if people from Anzhi believe that he is capable of making the club a champion.
– What about your future? You will wait where will he go Gus?
– I have already worked as a head coach three times and would not refuse such an experience again. It's interesting to try yourself big club. But at the same time, I have nothing against being an assistant. Anyway, I feel tired now. I would like to relax for a few months with my family. And I also don’t want to work in problem clubs. I don't want to kill myself.

We coached the same club almost our entire career. But this is not at all a necessary factor for success, as the Dutch specialist Guus Hiddink, who today is one of the most respected coaches in the world of football, readily proves.

Player career

Hiddink was born in Varseveld in 1946, and it was there that his football career began. First, he was in the football academy of the club of the same name, and then played in its squad until the age of 21, when he was noticed by the larger Dutch club De Graafschap - it was there that he spent most of his career. Guus Hiddink, whose biography includes more than one club, was noted in Grafschap by playing about 300 matches for him and spending a total of 9 years there. But not in a row - already in 1970, 24-year-old Hiddink moved to one of the strongest clubs in the country, PSV Eindhoven. However, there he only spent a whole year in vain, and in 1971 he again ended up in De Graafschap, for which he played for another five years. But when he turned 30, the club’s management did not consider that he was ready to continue competing for a place in the first team, so Guus Hiddink went on loan to the USA - the Washington Diplomats were waiting for him there, where he spent six months. After this, the player went on a one-year loan to the San Jose Earthquakes, again in the USA - this was Gus’s longest trip abroad. He spent the rest of his career in Holland, moving to NEC in 1978. It was only in 1981, at the age of 35, that Hiddink returned to De Graafschap to end his career at his favorite club a year later.

Beginning of coaching activity

Guus Hiddink already knew then that he would be a coach, so he returned to De Graafschap not just as a player, but as a playing assistant coach. He sometimes took to the field, but most of the time he helped the club's then coach, Hib Riigrock. A year later, Hiddink was invited to the position of assistant coach at PSV, which was very flattering, because he had the opportunity to work with the then famous coach Jan Reker. Hiddink spent four years in this position, and as a result was rewarded - after Reker's dismissal, he was offered the vacant position of head coach - and this is how his coaching career began.

Coach's favorite club

As you know, as a player Guus Hiddink spent almost his entire career in De Graafschap, and today he is a fan of this club and worries about it. But as a coach, Hiddink has another favorite club - and that is PSV. The Dutch took a risk by appointing a person with no actual work experience as a coach, because Hiddink was only an assistant, that is, he observed, helped, learned, but did not lead. As it turned out, the management of PSV was right - the coach stayed in his position for more than three years, and during this time the club achieved brilliant results. PSV won the Dutch championship for three years in a row and the National Cup the same number of times in a row. This was the real hegemony of the club at home, and everything worked out very well at the international arena too - in 1988, Hiddink led PSV to victory in the Cup European Champions. But in 1990, Hus could not lead his club to the championship, so he was forced to leave it, only to return in 2002 and spend another 4 unforgettable years. During this time, Hiddink won the Dutch championship three times and the Dutch Cup once, which made the fans incredibly happy. Twice he was recognized as the best coach in Holland - in 2005 and 2006. However, Guus Hiddink coached not only PSV, but also other clubs.

Other clubs in Hiddink

After leaving PSV in 1990, Hiddink went to Turkey to coach Galatasaray, but did not bring success to the club, so a year later he moved to Spain, where he took on Valencia, but there too, within 3 years coaching activities he was unable to achieve decent results. Hiddink's first success after PSV was Real Madrid. In 1998, Gus was appointed to a coaching position, won the Club World Cup with Los Blancos, but failed in everything else, so he was fired, but was not left without a job. Hiddink was offered the position of coach by another Spanish team, Real Madrid, but not by Madrid, but by Betis. But things didn’t go well for the Dutchman there either. It is also worth noting Hiddink’s arrival at Chelsea in 2009, with whom the coach won the FA Cup, but nothing else of note happened, so he was fired less than a year later. And, of course, the club that burst into flames on the Russian scene after the injection of money, but almost immediately went out - Anzhi. Guus Hiddink became both coach and vice-president of the Makhachkala club in 2012, but left both positions in 2013. So far, Hiddink was no longer coaching at the club level, but he still had enough jobs in national teams of different countries.

Hiddink as national team coach

Guus Hiddink, whose photo on the Russian Internet can most often be seen in the company of the Russian national team, coached others national teams. Hus gained his first experience working with national teams when he left Valencia in 1994 - almost immediately he was appointed coach of his native Dutch team. As a result, he led the team to the European Championship in 1996 and the World Championship in 1998, but could not achieve serious success in the final stage, so he was forced to leave. Having missed the 2000 European Championship, Hiddink tried to make up for lost time by getting the not-so-strong South Korean team into the 2002 World Cup, bringing it to an honorable fourth place, after which he still left his post. In 2006, the coach brought him to another national team of not the highest order - Australia, but here, too, the Dutchman’s luck abandoned him. From 2010 to 2011, he also led the Turkish national team, but the results were frankly unsuccessful, so Hiddink did not even finish the contract until the end date. However, everyone knows that Gus is best known for coaching the Russian national team from 2006 to 2010.

Gus Ivanovich

The news that the eminent Dutch specialist would become the coach of the Russian national team became a real boom - everyone expected a miracle from Hiddink. And he accomplished this miracle - at the championship of the year, the Russian team reached the semi-finals and received a bronze medal - everyone had been dreaming of such success for a long time. Since the national team performed amazingly, Hiddink’s contract was extended for another two years. But happiness could not last forever - Hiddink was unable to get the Russian team into the 2010 World Cup, since the Russians were unable to beat the Slovenians in the play-offs. After this, Gus Ivanovich, as he was called in Russia, announced his intention to leave the national team. He was noted for many interesting incidents, for example, when he received - the duo “Zaitsev Sisters” even made a number “Guus Hiddink after his imprisonment”, which literally blew up the Internet. But Hiddink in Russia will be remembered primarily for his sensational work with the national team at the 2008 European Championship.

Where is Hiddink now?

The last place of work of the Dutch specialist was Anzhi Makhachkala - so where is Guus Hiddink now, who does he coach? After he left Anzhi in 2013, Gus took a break and refused coaching work. They even began to talk about the fact that Hiddink could end his coaching career, because he is already 67 years old, and this is a considerable age, which is difficult to combine with the stress that is inevitable in such a position. But Hiddink denied these rumors by signing a contract with the Dutch national team, which will come into force in August 2014, after the end of the World Cup in Brazil. This means that it will be Hus who will prepare the Dutch for the 2016 European Championship.

Gus's achievements

As a result, Guus Hiddink collected an impressive number of awards during his career - he won the Dutch championship six times, the Dutch Cup 4 times, the country's Super Cup once, as well as the European Champions Cup, FA Cup and Intercontinental Cup. With the national teams of Holland and South Korea he took fourth place at the World Championships, and with the Russian national team he won a bronze medal at the European Championships.

Hiddink Gus. Honored Trainer of Russia.

A student of the amateur club “Varsseveld” Varsseveld, Holland.

Clubs: de Grafshap Dutinham, Holland (1967 - 1970, 1971 - 1977, 1981 - 1982), Eindhoven PSV Eindhoven, Holland (1970 - 1971), Nemgen, Holland (1977 - 1978, 1979 - 1980, 1981 ), "Washington Diplomats", USA (1978), "San Jose Earthquakes", USA (1980).

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

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

Head coach of the national teams of Holland (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;

Winner of the Dutch Cup1987/88, 1988/89, 1989/90, 2004/05;

Winner of the Dutch Super Cup2003;

Winner of the European Cup1988;

Winner of the Intercontinental Cup1998;

FA Cup Winner2009;

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

YOUR OWN GUS!

The Russian national team will be led 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 of his teams to a new, better level. How did he manage to do this and how did he achieve such respect among coaches, journalists, fans, and players?

ABOUT TRAVELERS

“We Dutch live in a very small country. But we have great ideas. Hence our desire to travel and to spread 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 Korean team), Leo Beenhakker (Trinidad and Tobago team) and Guus Hiddink (Australian national team).

But there are about a hundred more Dutch people scattered around the world, coaching teams of different statuses, 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 has created an excellent team that has every chance this season of both winning the championship in Spain and becoming 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 them, 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 knows how to relieve stress from players like no one else. When the Australian team arrived in Uruguay for the first match, there was incredible excitement in both countries.

In Uruguay the press simply attacked the Australians. Upon arrival, Hiddink said: “I am very happy to bring my team to the country that was the first to win the World Cup.” This simple phrase disarmed the Uruguayan press, and the tension subsided.

During the Australians' training camp in Buenos Aires, Hiddink received a call from Diego Maradona to wish him luck and invite him to a Copa Libertadores match that evening. Gus replied that he would be happy to do so, but he had to be with the team.

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

Already in the evening, Hiddink was sitting at the match, but... with the whole team in full force! Maradona invited 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 match in Uruguay, where the Australians lost 0:1, the team flew home on Monday morning. Before decisive match there were two days left.

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

Freedom and relaxation ultimately helped the players get ready for the meeting. Australia won 1-0 in regulation time and were more confident in the penalty shootout.

The most difficult thing before the return match with Uruguay was to get in the best possible mood, recalls Hiddink. - Sometimes football players get too involved in the fight on the field - so much so that they forget their task. This shouldn't happen. This is the whole point - to find a certain balance so that the player gives his all on the field and does not forget to do what the coach told him.

The surprising thing is that Hiddink very quickly gains respect from the players. “It felt like Gus was the link between the team and success,” says Australia captain Mark Viduka, who has never played at a World Cup. “He became exactly the leader we needed.” He is a tactical genius. Everything he does has a purpose. And the players feel very comfortable with that.”

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

FOLLOWER OF MICHELS

Guus Hiddink - coach

“All Dutch coaches are, in one way or another, followers of the great Rinus Michels (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 make the players play team football.”

But current Tottenham head coach 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, shouted songs. Everyone loved him."

The British newspaper Guardian describes the Dutch coaching school this way: “Their model is teaching professional ethics and team play, as well as a love of attacking football. This is what is most suitable for those countries where the football structure is imperfect.”

BUILDER

After the 2004 European Championship, PSV lost its entire attacking line. Matej Kezman and Arjen Robben were sold to Chelsea, Dennis Rommedahl went to Charlton. It seemed that the team had no prospects for the coming season. However, PSV won the national championship and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, where Milan narrowly missed out.

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

After the highly successful 2004/05 season, PSV lost almost its entire midfield: van Bommel went to Barcelona, ​​Vogel to Milan, and Park Ji-sung to Manchester United. And again PSV solves its problems brilliantly. The team's result is reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League and the championship in Holland!

This shows that Hiddink knows how 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 Championships. Then there was a lot of talk about the fact that the Koreans, with the blessing of FIFA, were helped by the referees, that the Portuguese, Italians and Spaniards humiliated by this team had too many problems... But no one questioned Guus Hiddink’s role in the “Korean miracle”.

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

At first it was like this: I enter the locker room after a lost match and look at the guys. They sit with an indifferent expression on their faces. I come in after the victory - the same picture. “No difference,” recalls Hiddink. - I thought I had the wrong door. I wanted them to be frustrated, angry after losing and happy after winning. Therefore, after successful matches, I made it a custom to organize a celebration - with champagne, beer, a big cake...

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

I had to take them all over the world. Previously, they prepared for the World Cup through games against Malaysia and Singapore and won by three or four goals. They are used to performing in their small stadiums in front of an audience of two thousand. 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 would approach them during training and provoke 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 answer me in the same way. So I taught them to play as hard as European teams do.

PLAYS BY ITS OWN RULES

All this does not mean at all that with Hiddink’s arrival in the Russian national team we will definitely be successful. But it is foolish to deny that a simple 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 Hiddink’s rules. He is not one who obeys others:

I come to the team to win. I may give in, but I will do it my way. I don't come to follow anyone's instructions.

"IT'S ALL GRANDPA'S FAULT!"

On two December evenings, Guus Hiddink and I sat at a cafe table on the 10th floor of the Moscow Ararat-Hyatt hotel. Outside the window, nothing spoke of the upcoming holidays - above-zero temperatures, not even snowflakes. The Dutchman shrugged his shoulders in surprise: “When we were flying to Moscow now, Elizabeth was hoping to see huge snowdrifts. Where are they?”

We weren’t talking about football, about which over the past year, it seems, everything has already been said and discussed. The fuss of goals and offsides was left behind, and I wanted to talk to the Dutchman about something completely different. Hiddink - he opened our team's eyes not only and not so much on how to play football. How to approach life correctly and believe in your star - that’s what he taught both players and fans. That is, the whole country. Euro 2008 bronze became a lesson for everyone who is convinced that he has a “ceiling” beyond which he cannot jump. The Russian national team, in which no one believed less than a year ago, has proven the opposite. And, I have no doubt, after this thousands of people said to themselves: “But we, too, can do what we never dreamed of.”

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

CURIOSITY INVOLVED BY GRANDFATHER

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

Christmas and New Year for me they are inseparable from each other. This is the time for my favorite leisurely conversations with family and friends, summing up the results of the year, and thinking about what remains to be done. Sport highest achievements is not always useful - both physically and mentally. When you achieve your goals, you stop noticing the world around you and 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, like everyone else last years, will you go to Africa again 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've traveled a lot around the world, and we thought it would be cool to show the brothers and their families something completely different. They will leave Europe for the first time in their lives, and you should see how excited they are for this trip. I get great pleasure from watching them anticipate it. How they call, worried: “What vaccinations should we get, what things should we take with us?” It’s not surprising: they almost never traveled more than 5 to 10 hours from home by car. In the summer, however, we flew to Austria for the European Championship, visited our team - and became its fans. After which I said: “Now let’s move on.”

Why were the two younger brothers invited? In total you have five of them.

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

You are always drawn to the exotic. Go on vacation to wild Africa, and work in Korea, Australia, and Russia, which are unusual for Western Europeans. Where does this travel spirit come from in you?

Indeed, I love being in new situations and places. So that people from traditionally leading football countries they asked: “Why did you go there? It’s impossible to achieve anything there!” On the contrary, it motivates me. For me, the incentive 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 would rather do and regret it than not do and regret it. At the same time, I have never been disappointed that I went somewhere. Although difficulties arise, you experience resistance. But overcoming it is another thing I love.

And where did all this come from... As a child, I lived in a small place and always wanted to see and find out something else. Seeing this, my grandfather said: “Don’t go to school tomorrow. You and I will go somewhere. Hunt - or we’ll come up with something else.” I was looking forward to this with great impatience; for me, such walks with my grandfather were the discovery of a whole world. My current trips to different countries- this is essentially the same thing, only on a much larger scale.

Did your parents know about your plans 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.

TWO OVER A DOZEN GRANDFATHERS

Have you ever acted as Site-Claus?

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 more likely children's party, whereas a typical Christmas is more adult. But he was never one or the other Santa Claus.

Actually, I only dressed up once. Holland hosts an annual carnival. One day my friends persuaded me to take part in it, and I put on the mask of a completely bald man like Fantômas. Nowadays many young people wear this “hairstyle”, but that was a long time ago. In my home 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?” They never “split”. This was my only experience of transformation, and I really enjoyed it.

This year, without any transformation, you became 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, even though it happened six months ago. But to perceive yourself as Father Frost or Santa Claus is too great an honor. I was simply trying to create conditions within and around the team that would help them show their best qualities. But the coach is always dependent, albeit not completely, on the players and other members of the team. We can only achieve something together. Therefore, if you call me Santa Claus, then I will correct you: there were many Santa Clauses on the team. More than two dozen.

That’s why, when Vitaly Mutko, at a farewell dinner in Austria, intended to present you with a medal first, did you say: “First, the captain and other players”?

Where, by the way, does Father Frost Hiddink keep it?

In our new house in Amsterdam, which we built for a year and a half and recently completed.

I WRITTEN THE WORD "Perhaps" IN MY DIARY

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

I don’t just hope, but I am confident that they will continue to bring great benefits to the team. I’ve been working with them for more than two years now, and we’re developing each other. I have 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 remember these stories and take them into account in my activities. Plus, they develop themselves - and I am convinced they will not stop on this path.

When I came here and first saw Alex (Borodyuk - 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 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 a few pages of his diary (he got into the habit of keeping a diary back in the 80s, from the beginning coaching career), showed one of them to me. There it was written large in Cyrillic - “Perhaps”!

I admit, I was speechless for a few seconds. 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 an airplane. He is old, one of his wings hangs at a different angle than the other. The pilot is slightly drunk, during takeoff everything shakes and hums, as if the plane was a hundred years old. It’s then that the passengers sigh with a heavy sigh and say: “Maybe we’ll make it.”

Your correspondent asked Hiddink:

Why do you need to write down such words?

I must know them. This is important to 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, and is seething with energy. And I really like it.

I also like the fact that Igor (Korneev - I.R. note) in recent years has finally turned from a player into a coach. When we started working, he still thought in many ways like 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 about Russia is that people willingly talk about themselves, their habits and don’t miss an opportunity to laugh at themselves. This is very good quality.

AFTER SEEING A BLACK CAT, I WILL NOT CHANGE THE PATH

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

No. I believe in the responsibility and strength of man.

So you don’t perceive Christmas as a religious holiday?

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

Initially. Our family has always respected people’s right to beliefs, but did not accept their forced, artificial implantation into 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 at all necessary to be religious.

Do you go to church at least occasionally?

When I worked in Spain, we sometimes arrived for away matches two days before the game. And in the morning, when I had a couple of free hours, I went to churches in Zaragoza, Bilbao, Seville and other cities and admired them as architectural masterpieces. I haven’t been to any churches in Russia yet, but outwardly some of them are stunningly beautiful.

Do you believe in omens?

No. Many players are superstitious; I know some of them don’t even wash their underwear after winnings. And if the winning streak lasts for many weeks, then it’s not easy for his wife (laughs). But if you, a coach, think in the same way, then you become vulnerable because you believe not in yourself and your team, but in something extraneous.

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

I love it!

That is, you won’t turn around and choose another road?

In no case!

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

In Korea, you are exposed to many amazing traditions. Can you tell us about this?

There is almost military discipline there. To such an extent that it is not the Koreans who control time, but time that controls them. One day our morning training took a long time. You can work with Koreans for two or three hours, they won’t say a word, won’t complain, because for them everything the coach says is 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 a shower” - “So what? Let’s move lunch to one o’clock in the afternoon” - “But that’s also not possible! It’s written in the schedule - 12.30!” They were in a real panic, and I had to make a lot of efforts to bring them out of this state.

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

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

All Korean citizens, including football players, must undergo, it seems, three years of military service,” Hiddink immediately began. - There are no exceptions. Players serve on a general basis - which means their football careers are ruined. At 20 years old, spending three years without football is a disaster.

Soon after the 2002 World Cup, elections were scheduled to take place in Korea. And after the first victory over Poland, politicians began to circle around the team, wanting to be in the rays of glory. And when we beat the Portuguese, the real excitement began. I can’t say that this helped the team very much, but at the home World Championship it was impossible to completely shut it down. And then I decided to try to turn this to our advantage. Both for the whole team and for each player.

How?

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

I was almost sure that nothing would come of this venture. But the day before the match, right during training, my cell phone rang. Actually, I never pick up the phone while I’m working, but then something made me answer, albeit with the intention of ending the conversation after the first sentences. 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 the training and conveyed these words to the players.

How did they react?

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

Did the authorities fulfill their promise?

How did you even come up with this idea?

I was concerned about the players' future careers. These are real people! And I thought: “You can play great at the World Cup, and then everything will end for them. Almost an entire generation of football players will come to naught, and with it the development of football in the country.” You can't think only 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 our trip to Moscow, Elizabeth and I read a lot about the country we were going to.

At this moment, Korneev again joined the conversation: “Can you imagine, even after arriving in Russia, Gus knew who Pavlik Morozov was!”

After everything I heard, I was no longer surprised by this. And Hiddink asked:

For the Russian team at Euro, did you want to find the same motivation as the Koreans?

No, because it was an exceptional situation. Motivation must be present within a person, whereas this one came from outside. Material things - cash bonuses, a car, a house - are external motivation and can push 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 is the one who does everything from the heart, and not from thoughts about a bonus. Admittedly, we (here Hiddink clearly means the Russian national team. - Note by I.R.) still have to work on this.

Although a lot depends on the society in which a person plays football. I remember one player from Fenerbahce, where I once worked. 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 it’s already tall for you, 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 am obliged to feed another 30 - 40 people who are around. Do you know how many relatives I have who live very poorly!” I also understand this motivation well.

As far as I know, you are very familiar 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 match with Uruguay. And he worked in the Boca Juniors system. A friend from Argentina, who helped me organize a gathering there, and I were sitting in a hotel, and suddenly he held out his mobile phone: “Someone wants to talk to you.” I thought it was a journalist calling, since there was a lot of press around the team at the time, and I hung up the phone. But my 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 really respects my work.

Since when?

Don't know. The Dutch national team, under my leadership, played at the 1998 World Cup with Argentina, that match turned out great and Diego probably liked it. He probably also saw Korea. And then he invited me to the Boca Juniors - River Plate match. There are many derbies in the world - Milan - Inter, Real Madrid - Atletico, CSKA - Spartak. But the number one derby is Boca versus River. Half a day before the start of the game, the stadium is already full. The roar is so loud that you can go crazy!

Maradona has a small open box at the Boca stadium, where he invited me. We talked very well and were under the gun of many cameras every second. We stay in touch now, even if not very often. But I know for sure: if I get ready to 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 life circumstances in countries where there is poverty all around, and football is everything. And I have great sympathy for people who, having gone through very difficult times, become an example for millions of other people who are now in very bad times. They look and think: what did this man go through - and got out of it! Fight, and you will succeed too!

Would you like to organize a friendly match between Russia and Argentina?

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

I DON'T DRINK, I JUST SIP

In Russia, did any traditions strike you as much as the 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 can I get used to this!” But they really like to give gifts here. They hand me bottles of some unusual drinks, treat me to signature food... The hospitality of 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 small speech. Moreover, he barely had time to finish one, and everyone drank, when another begins. Toasts are made very often, and you need to tell yourself: “Be careful!”

Have you ever drunk a lot of vodka?

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

You have been given different gifts in your life. 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 you can’t say “no” to those who give such gifts. 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 Harbor. And already there I asked the national Hyundai dealer in Holland if it was possible to exchange this limousine for a jeep of the same brand. Which is what was done.

When you played in the US in the 70s and went from Washington to San Jose, a similar limousine was sent to pick you up at the California airport. They say your reaction to this was: “In Holland they would think I was a pimp.”

- (Laughs.) In those days, a huge car in Holland meant exactly that. There were four-cylinder cars in use there. 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 from the 50s and 60s with proudly upturned “noses” on which some bird or animal is depicted. I had a car like this in California. San Francisco is a hilly city, and when I climbed the next hill, I could not see anything ahead. The hood was blocked! Because of this, you could get into an accident. But I liked it because it was an unusual sensation.

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

For which, while playing in NEK, he was subjected to merciless criticism after unsuccessful matches. Everyone was criticized only for the game, but 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 USA I just fell in love with them.

Were they also a symbol of inner freedom for you?

No, everything is simpler. When I played for the Washington Diplomats, the team played in all white - T-shirts, shorts, socks and cleats. Just imagine how beautiful this is! So I won’t throw around beautiful slogans and admit: for me it was not a symbol of freedom, but simply part of a very beautiful shape. By the way, I must keep them somewhere; I didn’t throw them away or 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 losing some values. It is believed that because of computers and the Internet, the new generation, say, does not want to play the piano, violin, or other musical instruments. And yet we have seen more than once: in many families, children are involved in something besides school - either music, or something else in the field of art, or sports. We were pleasantly surprised that parents do so much for the cultural and sports education of their 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 matter who you ask, everyone supports one team or another. Something similar here. No wonder when we beat Holland there was a celebration throughout 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 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 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 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, relaxed, and everything went on for quite a long time.

IT WAS TOO IMPATIENT FOR THE CLARINET

Let's return to the music lessons that you talked about in relation to Russian children. Your brother Hans is a jazz musician. Were you taught to play musical instruments as a child?

Yes, on the initiative of my parents I learned to play the clarinet. But I didn't have enough patience. WITH soccer ball it was much more interesting! Here, by the way, there is also an instructive moment. You need to make sure that learning music is a game for your child! Don’t give harsh instructions, don’t force them to learn tedious theory, but come up with a method so that the child will love this instrument!

Here's a direct analogy with children's football. Children need to be offered exercises through which they discover something for themselves. Children should not force anything too much, as this will alienate them. If you are a stupid instructor, then you force him 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. Yes and in adult football, in my opinion, a game should always remain a game. The one that these guys once loved not as hard work.

They say you like to sing?

Yes, and I have a karaoke system. The first time I was introduced to this thing was in Korea, and after our success at the World Championships, the whole team sang like birds. Not good birds - bad, voiceless - but they sang. I can't say I'm singing. I love to sing - it will be truer.

I heard that your favorite song is “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.

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

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

Yes, he arrived at the hotel, we had a cup of coffee. And then we organized everything so that he could be at the stadium with photographers and stand behind the goal. I said: “Matsu (as Hiddink called the famous pianist in his style - Approx. I.R.), you will like it!” I asked him: “Tell me after the match what you saw. It’s a very big difference - sitting high in the stands or very close to the players.” He was shocked and delighted. He described in vivid colors what was happening in the penalty area during corner kicks...

Matsu, it turns out, plays hockey. I advised him to be careful with his hands. In response, he said that he once 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, you love the classics too?

I can’t say that I love very complex classical music. For me to like it, it must have power and energy. I also love jazz. But one day I had a chance to see how Gergiev worked. He was conducting the famous Dutch orchestra, and a day or two before the performance I went to a rehearsal. There he was in work clothes, cursing. And he demanded perfection from musicians just like we, coaches, from players. This desire to get the best out of the team was very similar to a purely sporting situation. And it made a big impression on me.

What music did you listen to after the victory over Holland, when you were left alone in your room?

I didn't listen to music. After a match, and then after meeting with friends and family, I like to sit on the balcony of my room in complete silence for several hours. At such moments I like to light a cigar, take a glass of wine and look at the mountains, the stars, the Moon. At these moments, fragments of recent matches are scrolling through my head. This happened both after Sweden and after Holland.

THE STUDENTS SWALLOWED A KNIFE AT ME

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

When you play football, and at a serious level, you break away from the ordinary world and begin to live a life, I would say, exclusive. I always remind players of this - and that they need to feel responsible.

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 have not lost contact for a day with ordinary people who have to spend all their time struggling for existence. This forced me to live in reality and not get 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, even if it was very difficult. And it was no less difficult to get them to be on your side. If you succeed, it will help you a lot in later life, including in your career as a football coach.

What were the most difficult episodes you experienced there?

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

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

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

Is it true. The guy took out a knife, turned red, and was shaking: “I’m now... I’m now... I’m going to 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 ahead!” And he went.

I hoped that while he was running these 200 meters, he would calm down. Firstly, because teenagers' attention tends to be distracted, and secondly, because he will have the opportunity to at least think a little and evaluate what he is about to do. I said to myself: “Okay, I’d rather he puncture the tires of my car than injure one of my classmates.” After all, tires are nothing more than rubber.

He punctured his tires, but returned calmer. He repeated: “Sorry... Sorry...” I let him back into the class and said: “Sit down, think about what you did. Maybe you’ll learn to control yourself.” After this episode it was already possible to talk to him.

Have you ever communicated with your students at that time?

Imagine, with the same guy! He had already finished school, he was 21 years old, and he was hired. One day, when I was sitting at home, the doorbell rang out of the blue. “Mister, I wanted to come to you and have a glass with you.” It was nice. Sometimes I still see those guys - after all, they live in the same area where my parents live... now only my father. They have a normal life, a normal job - maybe not some very highly paid one, but that doesn’t matter. What is more important is that they live their lives and are happy.

Is your charity still in existence in Korea?

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

Are you planning to establish such a fund in Russia?

I'm 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 bring you back - despite the fact that the club did not have the money for this.

This is true. De Graafschap was a poor club. His managers wanted me back because the goal was to reach the top division. But there was no money to ransom me. Our area is a farming area. And the fans did this. They placed empty milk cans 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 transfer amount to PSV had to throw 10 guilders into the can - there was such a blue bill. And we collected the required amount.

I often tell the players that football is for people on the streets and that we shouldn't forget that. And I always remember this story.

How did you feel when the money was collected?

The feeling was ambivalent. On the one hand, feeling so in demand and needed is amazing. But what a responsibility! Poor people paid their hard-earned money for me. And when I played poorly, they met me on the street and exclaimed: “Give me back my ten guilders.”

Therefore, I pumped myself up all the time: “You must show your maximum!” And the next year we went to major league. You can imagine what joy this brought me.

25 CUPS OF COFFEE A DAY

Once upon a time, you loved to ride your Harley-Davidson motorcycle like a breeze. Do you still do this in your native land?

Sometimes. But for this the asphalt must be dry. I’m not rushing at great speed, I’m just having fun. Sometimes I take off my helmet, which is not allowed by the rules, in order to enjoy the unique roar of the motorcycle. It's great to drive along the sea or through the forest. However, this hasn’t happened for a long time, because I spent a lot of time in Russia. The last time I started my Harley was three or four months ago. But I want and will do it. As well as riding a bike, which I manage to do a little more often.

After the Euro, did you recover in this way?

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

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

In Spain. True, there is not cappuccino, but a special type of coffee - cortado. A small cup with a few drops of milk. And in Valencia I drank it constantly, and in Real Madrid, and in Betis. I could drink 20 - 25 cups a day.

Isn't that much coffee bad for your health?

Every year and a half I conduct a full medical examination. There are no problems. Really, Elizabeth? (Here Hiddink’s life partner nodded affirmatively. - Note by I.R.) To be fair, I note that now I only drink 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 do not smoke inhales. For me it's just a form of relaxation.

Are you indifferent to cigarettes?

Now yes. When I was a player, I also didn’t smoke or drink at all. But in the last six months of my playing career, I liked to smoke a cigarette after the game. Once I started training, I started doing it more often. In Holland they love to make hand-rolled cigarettes. I didn’t escape this hobby either.

And then he underwent serious surgery on his 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 such a desire. Not because he wanted to quit, but, apparently, because too much anesthesia was introduced into the body. And the body said: I don’t want nicotine. Since then - no cigarettes.

I CAN'T STAND CYNISM

Have you ever had moments in your life that could have broken you as a person?

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

I’m not asking about personal matters, but when did you have a similar choice in your professional life?

After the 2002 World Cup, I received offers that involved a lot of money. But if I were guided only by them in my choice, then after one or two years of work it would be time to end 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 people called me crazy when I accepted offers from Korea, Australia and Russia. Let these “many” make their assessments. But I, not knowing the circumstances, will not.

With age and experience, having learned about life, some people lose faith in people. For you, it seems, it is only increasing. Why?

Even though I am not the youngest person or coach, I absolutely cannot understand cynical people. Sometimes you have to force yourself to travel 30, 40 years ago - and remember what you were like then. And what did you think about the people who taught and raised you? If they were cynics who did not believe in anything themselves, they could not teach you anything good.

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

When you last time did you cry?

Recently - when my mother died. We had seen each other a week earlier and I invited her to our new home. 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 difficult for me, because an entire era had ended. But it was even harder to watch the sadness of my father, who is 92. He understood what was happening. But at first I believed that my mother would have an operation and she would come back to life. And at some point I realized that she could not be returned. And when I saw the two of them... Mom in a coma and father holding her hand... It was a very, very emotional moment.

IN DAYS OF CRISIS, PEOPLE BECOME MORE HUMBLE

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, they reached the semi-finals of the European Championship with the Russian team - and decided to stay. What is the difference?

I also liked it in Korea. But the football infrastructure there was very good. The clubs, organized by large companies - Samsung, Hyundai and others - were well built in all respects. And I didn’t see any work for myself there that could help raise everything to another level.

And for Russia, Euro 2008 bronze is just the beginning of a football renewal. Infrastructure, search and development of talents, training of coaches. Much more needs to be done in this country to harness 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 this is impossible. However, we must be realistic. What I mean is that it is now December 2008. First you need to qualify in our difficult group. To do this, we must work very seriously and receive the support of everyone in the country who is involved in football. And then we will think about the next goal. And remember: nothing is impossible.

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

For yourself? I am no longer young - and I hope that, as I grow old, I will maintain a healthy body and spirit. The same - healthy body and spirit - I wish it to everyone, including our team. I can guarantee that she will give everything in the game, what does she have. It is not in my power to always guarantee the result, but the spirit that we have recently developed 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 dedication to its work that I have seen since the beginning of our communication. I am sure that this will happen. 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, like any other, each of us will have to learn something.

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

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

"I FEEL GOOD WHERE I AM!"
"Sport Express" , 01.12.2012
Anzhi head coach Guus Hiddink spoke about why he began to think about retiring from his career, shared his vacation plans and remembered almost all of his famous players.