Hiddink Press Conference + Videos
By dixon9
February 20 2009
New Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink held his first press conference to the world’s media this morning. The Dutchman covered various questions with the primary subjects including the alleged divisions in the dressing room, the possibilities of winning honours this season and the forthcoming league match at Villa Park tomorrow.
Dressing room divisions?
"I don't want to know about the past - I am here to go forward,"
"People have said Chelsea had problems but I'm not aware of them. I have watched the team and I cannot see that there is division, or whatever."
"I notice how people behave and how people get on with each other or not, but in my view there is no problem in that.
"I have watched the team from a little distance on the training ground and in the locker room over the last few days and I cannot see that there is division, or whatever.
"I am not totally naive and I wanted to see whether anything which has been said about the recent past is true. But you can see when you play games in training whether the players get emotional. You cannot mask things then - you show your emotions and show whether you get at a certain player or whatever.
Respect
"But I haven't seen that. They respect each other. From what I have noticed, they are a united squad.
"They are 20-plus players, and I am realistic enough to know that everyone from number one to 11 will be very happy but the rest will want to play. But they know they are in a big club and that not everyone can play."
“From a distance you know the players, especially those who are dominating for many years at international level, but for me it’s important to know the less-known players and their place in the squad, that’s what I’ve done in the last days and my very respected colleague Ray Wilkins has given me a lot of very good information about the players I don’t know that well.
Titles
"In the other two competitions (the FA Cup and Champions League) we are of course in the race which is why it's a challenge.
"We're 10 points down on Manchester United, which will be very difficult but we will give it a try. Things can change in a few minutes. I've made up that ground before in a different league. With PSV [Eindhoven], we were not that worried but there were some narrow escapes in the last few seasons.
"Time is limited but we are still in three competitions — the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. The players are used to winning trophies so let's try and repeat it. If they don't you can't be happy."
"I'm not just here to pass the time until the end of the season - that's not what's in my mind."
Villa
“The priority is Villa Park. If you see the record of Villa recently, they have a very good period of winning games home and away. It's the cliché answer - the next game is the most important. After that it's Juventus.
"You're obliged to yourself and your crowd to prioritise the next battle. Realistically it's difficult to catch United. If you're leading with ten points you feel comfortable. But things can change in a few minutes.
"It's tough. If they keep doing what they are doing, they're in a good position and we need to change places with them as soon as possible."
More than temporary at Chelsea?
"Chelsea asked me to help out till the end of the season and I have just done it because of the strong links between the Chelsea owner and the Russian federation,"
"I will help out to the end of the season. I have my work with Russia which I will fulfil."
Video Links:
http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,14968_4949734,00.html