Guus surprised by Blues adoration
Guus Hiddink admitted he was surprised by the outpouring of
affection from the Chelsea fans after his final match in charge at
Stamford Bridge ended with a 2-0 win over Blackburn.
The Dutchman - who took temporary charge in February and steered
the Blues back into the top three, into the FA Cup final as well as
within touching distance of the Champions League final - is set to
return to his full-time post with the Russian national team at the
end of the season.
That, though, did not stop his name being chanted by the Chelsea
faithful this afternoon, and Hiddink was given a guard of honour by
the players following their post-match lap of appreciation.
"It was a nice way to say goodbye with a victory,'' said
Hiddink. "It was nice appreciation from the crowd, and to be
honest, I did not expect this when I am here for a relatively short
period to do my job. So this reaction of the crowd was surprising
for me, and I would like to thank them.
"I expected it to be respectful from the heart, but not more.
That is why I was positively surprised by the reaction of the
people, so thanks. We enjoyed the atmosphere, but the season is not
over for me and the team. We would love to finish it off with the
FA Cup.''
Hiddink is set to return to his Russian "adventure'' following
the FA Cup final, determined to honour in full the contract with
the national federation.
However, the Dutchman - who took Holland, South Korea and most
recently Australia to the latter stages of the World Cup - admitted
it was only natural to wonder if he was making the right decision
to leave Stamford Bridge.
"I have many second thoughts. Sometimes third thoughts. You
cannot avoid them,'' he said. "You do not have a button to turn
them off, but that is how it is. When I have to leave and I see the
reaction of the players and how they have worked, I feel a kind of
sadness. That is for sure, but that is the reality.''
Hiddink added: "Russia is a country that needs to be developed.
I have given my commitment to them, with pleasure, and I have to
fulfil that - but that does not mean that it is difficult to leave
this atmosphere.''
Hiddink accepted whoever comes in - with AC Milan coach Carlo
Ancelotti reported to be the top target - must look to refresh the
Chelsea squad to keep them competitive.
"When you want to compete, you have to renew your squad almost
every year,'' he said. "For the FA Cup, Carling Cup, Premier League
and Champions League, you need a squad of real depth in quality. If
you want to compete for first position, you need to be able to use
a lot of players. You have to analyse the squad. The players who
are now 'ageing', around 30, they need also to be rested every now
and then.''
Hiddink, 62, refused to be drawn on his own future past 2010. "I
am not the youngest any more. Sometimes you must know when to
stop,'' he said, "but as long as I feel energetic that I can
deliver and as long as I receive the energy from the group and the
players, then I can continue.
"One year ago, I would not have thought that I would have
managed Chelsea, so I cannot predict what happens after the Russia
adventure.''
Blackburn, meanwhile, have a completely different objective to
Chelsea, having secured their top-flight status a couple of weeks
ago under Sam Allardyce. "A club like ours tries its very best and,
if we can get in the top half and beat the big boys now and again,
that is where we lie,'' he said.
As to whether anyone could crack the top four, Allardyce
reflected: "Aston Villa have had a good go by spending considerable
amounts of money and nearly got there. Everton are always around
there and Manchester City, if they spend the billions they have
got, will get there eventually if they are not too impatient. But
the top four do lose games to the lesser sides, and that makes the
Premier League so exciting.''