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http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20790610-23215,00.html
Hiddink eyes a Roos return
By David Lewis
November 21, 2006
GUUS Hiddink has revealed that he is prepared to consider returning to steer Australia to the 2010 World Cup.
Hiddink's agent Cees van Nieuenhuizen last night claimed that Hiddink, currently spearheading Russia's qualification bid for Euro 2008, was so enchanted by his brief spell in charge of the national team that a reunion is a very real possibility.
Speaking from Holland, van Nieuenhuizen said: "Guus has made no secret of his desire to coach a country at South Africa 2010 and if Australia were interested then of course they would be up there amongst his options.
"He has very fond memories of his association with the Socceroos at this year's World Cup.
"He likes the players' commitment, work ethic and desire to learn, so why wouldn't he consider a return?"
With Russia grabbing the second spot in Group E with their 2-0 win in Macedonia last week to leave England floundering in third place in the qualification race, the Hiddink formula is alive and well in Moscow.
Should Russia qualify and do well at Euro 2008 he will be offered a treasure chest of roubles to stay on while South Africa have also expressed an interest in his services for 2010.
Hiddink, who turned 60 two weeks ago, has also been secretly sounded out by Chelsea tsar Roman Abramovich - heavily involved in luring him to Russia - over the possibility of succeeding Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge where it is believed failure to win either the Premiership or Champions League could precipitate his departure from the $10.5 million-a-year dream job.
FFA chief Frank Lowy wants Hiddink The Sequel to hit a stadium near you and the fact the Dutchman still maintains a close relationship with his star student Graham Arnold is also a draw card for him.
"Guus is pleased with how things are going with Arnie and the Socceroos since his departure," added van Nieuenhuizen. "He wanted Arnold to be given an opportunity and is happy Australia continue to play the way they did when he was in charge."
Hiddink's official autobiography, Dit Is Mign Weereld (This Is My World), will be released this time next week with one chapter dedicated his Socceroos experience. It was penned by Dutch journalist Frans van den Nieuwenhoff before Australia keeper Mark Schwarzer hit out at Hiddink's man-management tactics in his own book.
Coincidentally, Hiddink's tome features a pot-shot at the Middlesbrough man and his former rival for the keeper's jersey, Zeljko Kalac.
"I really wasn't convinced that either of them could do a great job," he says. "They had strengths but there were some key weaknesses too."
Hiddink's doubts were distilled into one match - the 2-2 draw with Croatia which saw the Socceroos reach the last 16.
The game was memorable for a horror gaffe from Kalac which cost a goal and left Hiddink ruing his lapse of judgement in picking him ahead of Schwarzer.
"I was angry with myself afterwards for taking such a dangerous risk which could have cost the team," writes Hiddink. "I felt so bad I couldn't really enjoy the result, even though it meant reaching the next round."
Hiddink eyes a Roos return
By David Lewis
November 21, 2006
GUUS Hiddink has revealed that he is prepared to consider returning to steer Australia to the 2010 World Cup.
Hiddink's agent Cees van Nieuenhuizen last night claimed that Hiddink, currently spearheading Russia's qualification bid for Euro 2008, was so enchanted by his brief spell in charge of the national team that a reunion is a very real possibility.
Speaking from Holland, van Nieuenhuizen said: "Guus has made no secret of his desire to coach a country at South Africa 2010 and if Australia were interested then of course they would be up there amongst his options.
"He has very fond memories of his association with the Socceroos at this year's World Cup.
"He likes the players' commitment, work ethic and desire to learn, so why wouldn't he consider a return?"
With Russia grabbing the second spot in Group E with their 2-0 win in Macedonia last week to leave England floundering in third place in the qualification race, the Hiddink formula is alive and well in Moscow.
Should Russia qualify and do well at Euro 2008 he will be offered a treasure chest of roubles to stay on while South Africa have also expressed an interest in his services for 2010.
Hiddink, who turned 60 two weeks ago, has also been secretly sounded out by Chelsea tsar Roman Abramovich - heavily involved in luring him to Russia - over the possibility of succeeding Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge where it is believed failure to win either the Premiership or Champions League could precipitate his departure from the $10.5 million-a-year dream job.
FFA chief Frank Lowy wants Hiddink The Sequel to hit a stadium near you and the fact the Dutchman still maintains a close relationship with his star student Graham Arnold is also a draw card for him.
"Guus is pleased with how things are going with Arnie and the Socceroos since his departure," added van Nieuenhuizen. "He wanted Arnold to be given an opportunity and is happy Australia continue to play the way they did when he was in charge."
Hiddink's official autobiography, Dit Is Mign Weereld (This Is My World), will be released this time next week with one chapter dedicated his Socceroos experience. It was penned by Dutch journalist Frans van den Nieuwenhoff before Australia keeper Mark Schwarzer hit out at Hiddink's man-management tactics in his own book.
Coincidentally, Hiddink's tome features a pot-shot at the Middlesbrough man and his former rival for the keeper's jersey, Zeljko Kalac.
"I really wasn't convinced that either of them could do a great job," he says. "They had strengths but there were some key weaknesses too."
Hiddink's doubts were distilled into one match - the 2-2 draw with Croatia which saw the Socceroos reach the last 16.
The game was memorable for a horror gaffe from Kalac which cost a goal and left Hiddink ruing his lapse of judgement in picking him ahead of Schwarzer.
"I was angry with myself afterwards for taking such a dangerous risk which could have cost the team," writes Hiddink. "I felt so bad I couldn't really enjoy the result, even though it meant reaching the next round."
