Why Hiddink isn’t the man that needs persuading
By dixon9
April 16 2009
Since the appointment of Guus Hiddink at Stamford Bridge Chelsea seem much revitalised and more like our old selves. True, this has been aided by the return of key players from injury but there doesn’t seem to be any doubt that the vast majority believe that Hiddink should be the man to lead us into next season. Trouble is, he’s made a promise to Russia.
Hiddink´s honour
Admittedly it would be a bit much to not only borrow Russia’s manager but then turn round and purloin him completely. Quite rightly, Russian fans would justifiably be very pis-ed off with us!
But if we were to be completely Machiavellian and Roman was to offer to heap even more wads of cash towards the Russian FA we’d still have an apparently insurmountable problem – Hiddink is an honourable man.
“I have a formal contract with Russia and it is very important for me to stick by my word. The moral standards in our business sometimes go up and down but I want to see my commitments wholeheartedly through to the end,” said Hiddink.
“I owe something to the Russia players. If I were to end a contract which had not yet expired, they could blame me for not standing by my own values.”
Of course, there is an outside chance of Russia not qualifying for the World Cup but if they were to get into a play-off place that would still infringe on the beginning of the season. That said there is the agreed possibility of Hiddink being retained as a consultant/director of football but, much as there are positives to this scenario, that really isn’t the answer is it?
Buck douses possibilities
Chairman Bruce Buck has also poured a bucket of freezing water over the whole issue:
“Guus came here on a temporary basis two months ago and it is thanks to the Russian FA that he was able to come here,”
"It is purely a temporary role. There has been a lot of speculation about him staying, particularly as he has been doing a great job. That will not be the case. “It is now up to the board to find a new manager for the long term and that is a process that we have started and is ongoing."
"Anything you might read is just speculation at this stage. When we have an agreement for our new manager, we will announce it.”
Talks continue?
Elsewhere recently in the media there are claims that should Chelsea win silverware this season, then Hiddink would stay (although I don’t quite understand that logic if Abramovich is convinced he would keep Hiddink if he had the chance). Hiddink is in his element and thoroughly enjoying himself if the players are to be believed.
It is also claimed that the players want him to stay and believe there is still a chance of that happening with John Terry commenting that he expects talks are still ongoing.
One “source” (yeah! I know!) says that Hiddink maintains his current posture in public so as not to offend the Russian FA and that he wants media coverage on the issue at a minimum so as not to overshadow forthcoming big games.
The Grant factor?
Abramovich does have huge influence in Russian football through funding of the national football academy and paying half of Hiddink´s salary for the national job, but even so, it would take some artful political manoeuvring to persuade the Russian FA to release Hiddink so as to free the Dutchman from binding honour.
Avram Grant was in Russia earlier this week fuelling rumours of Abramovich machinations:
Grant was at Sunday's CSKA v Lokomotiv match along with Abramovich and officials from the Russian FA:
'I'm on a private visit here,' said Grant.
'Is it possible that I'll take a job in Russia? My answer is: nothing can be ruled out.'
The glorious unpredictability
Unfortunately for us, this might be for a club management position and nothing to do with the national side, nevertheless, as one Abramovich aid is supposed to have said:
“I’d say there’s no chance of him staying, but I don’t want to be called a liar in a couple of months. In football anything can happen, especially at Chelsea.”
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Quote:JonK
If Guss wins the big one would we accept him part time where he goes off for International duty? I think yes. If he does that then we should take him on on his terms and let him manage Russia for thequalifiers and playoffs.
Wilkins to handle pre-season and the interim period?
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.