Hiddink's back - and wants to beat Fergie to World Cup star
Published 23:02 06/06/11 By Martin Lipton
Guus Hiddink wants to hijack Wesley Sneijder’s proposed move to Manchester United as the first act of his Chelsea revolution.
The veteran manager’s return to Stamford Bridge is set to be confirmed within days after Turkish football chiefs reluctantly accepted his heart was set on London.
But while a wrangle over compensation of £4million to be paid to his current employers Turkey continues and he is still unsure if he wants to go back into full-time club management, Hiddink urged Roman Abramovich to swipe Sneijder.
United are confident of landing the Inter Milan schemer for £30million, but that may change if the Holland star feels compatriot Hiddink could help him settle in England.
Sneijder’s name emerged as a Chelsea target as Hiddink’s departure from his job as manager of the Turkey national team edged closer.
A Turkish Football Federation insider said: “Chelsea is too good an offer to turn down and the TFF understands this. We’ll understand he’s coached his last Turkey game - as long as Chelsea pay the compensation.”
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GOLDEN GUUS: HIDDINK"S GLITTERING MANAGERIAL RECORD
Dutchman Guus Hiddink, now 64, took Chelsea to the Champions League semi-finals in 2009 and they lost only one game under him after he took over in mid-season, but the Blues had already lined up Carlo Ancelotti to be their new boss in 2009-2010.
Hiddink's record at Chelsea: P 22 W 16 D 5 L 1
His life as a manager:
1982-84 De Graaschap
1984-87 PSV Eindhoven assistant coach
1987-90 PSV Eindhoven: Dutch League winners 1987, 1988, 1989; Dutch Cup winners 1988, 1989, 1990; Champions League winners 1988
1990-91 Fenerbahce
1991-94 Valencia
1994-98 Holland: quarter-finalists Euro 96; fourth place World Cup 1998
1998-99 Real Madrid: Intercontinental Cup (Champions League winners v Copa Libertadores winners) winners 1998
2000 Real Betis
2002-04 South Korea: fourth place World Cup 2002
2002-06 PSV Eindhoven: Dutch League winners 2003, 2005, 2006; Dutch Cup winners 2005
2005-06 Australia: last 16 World Cup 2006
2006-10 Russia: semi-finalists Euro 2008
2009 Chelsea caretaker manager: FA Cup winners 2009
2010-11 Turkey
Martin Lipton opinion: Hiddink's unfinished business with Barcelona is driving his return to Chelsea
