Hiddink: "I like him, Abramovich"

Chris van Nijnatten
Thursday 12 February 2009

In the training camp of the Russian FA in Turkey Guus Hiddink was made an offer that he couldn't refuse.

Roman Abramovich asked him to help Chelsea, as temporary successor of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

And one doesn't say no to the Russian billionaire.

The man from the Achterhoek will combine his work in London with his job as national coach of Russia.

This weekend Hiddink will be present - albeit in the stands - at Chelseas's game against Watford in the FA Cup.

After that the real work begins.

- Is it a dream come true to one day work in the Premier League?

Hiddink: "My dreaming days are over. But let me put it this way: this is beautiful. Yet I remain calm. It's just happening to me."

- How did it go? When did Chelsea come to Hiddink?

"It all seems so logical huh? Still it took some time. On Monday they parted with Scolari and it wasn't until that day that they started thinking about a solution. First they wanted to see if they had someone at the club but when that didn't work they thought of me."

- And that's an honor, no?

"Yes, but I wasn't to eager at first. I didn't necessarily have to go. I have my work as national coach of Russia and I do a lot of work for the development of Russian football as a whole. In the whole country new initiatives are taken for which I am also responsible. That work means a lot to me."

- But a few months of Chelsea were irresistible?

"It was attractive. But I would not have done it if mister Abramovich hadn't been involved. I would not have done it for another club."

- Did Abramovich call you to come to London?

"No, one of his associates did. I only talked to Abramovich when the deal was concluded."

- Are you friends?

"That's a big word. You don't have so many friends. We have a professional relationship with a lot of mutual respect. I like him, Abramovich. I know all the clichés of the Russian billionaire are attached to him. But in my personal contacts with him I see nothing of those clichés. He loves football and uses his money and vision to get things forward. But he too is now suffering a bit from the economic crisis, I believe."

- So what exactly is your relationship?

"On a professional level he is my employer. He pays me to to further build up Russian football. Besides that he helps out at the Russian FA when there is financial trouble. There too he is the one paying up for my contract with the Russian FA."

- And that is why the Russian FA didn't mind you took on the job at Chelsea?

"That will have played a part, yes, hahaha. But I will remain national coach. The coming matches of Russia I will be on the bench as usual. That job is too much fun to let go. And ll parties involved are content, the FA, the players, my assistants and Abramovich want me to continue."

- Will you live in London for the time?

"Yes, I will have to. Three, perhaps four months. Then the job should be done. It will not be an easy job. Chelsea want to qualify for the Champions League at all cost. That's the assignment. It's a nice challenge, and far from impossible when you look at the strength of the squad."

- When will you go to London?

"I'll be there this weekend to look at the game against Watford. Possibly I will be on the bench the next game against Aston Villa. We haven't much time. We're competing with Aston Villa, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Then you know you are not going to have a calm spring."

- And after that?

"One never knows. In principle I will return to the Russian FA. But let's not talk about what happens after that too much. I want to take the Russian team to the World Cup. That's what I know."

- Will you ever quit working?

"I was asked that same question 10 years ago, when I came back from Spain. I think I'll quit after the World Cup in South Africa. Cruise around on my Harley Davidson and be an ambassador for Nike. Besides that I am working on a project in Tanzania. It's very premature but it concerns letting football and education enhance each other with young children. I want to dedicate a large portion of my time to that in 2010."

- But first it's the Premier League...

"Full force ahead! It's all very challenging. To see if that works as well. I am very confident about it. It wouldn't be the first tough assignment at which I succeed."