Why Rafa Benitez and Mark Hughes should beware the shadow of Guus Hiddink

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Published 23:00 22/11/09

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Guus Hiddink is set to cast a long shadow over the Premier League in the next few weeks - and if I was Rafa Benitez or Mark Hughes I would be looking over my shoulder for him.

Dutchman Hiddink, 63, is considering his future after Russia lost in the play-offs and failed to reach the World Cup.

But I still admire him enormously for his hugely-impressive managerial career with sides such as PSV Eindhoven, South Korea and Australia.

And, of course, last season he showed everyone in England exactly what he can do when he took over Luiz Felipe Scolari’s shambles at Chelsea and guided them to third and the FA Cup.

I am not sure Hiddink will fancy kicking his heels in Russia until Euro 2012 and think he is definitely cut out for a big manager’s job.

Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Saturday showed both Benitez and Hughes are still a long way off Hiddink in terms of their tactical ability.

Benitez’s tactics have often baffled me and his decision to sub Yossi Benayoun for Fabio Aurelio when Liverpool needed a winner was astonishing.

And all the while Alberto Aquilani, the club’s £20million summer signing from Roma, was left on the bench.

But while the doubters grow at Anfield, Hughes’ position at Eastlands must also be coming under scrutiny after six successive draws in the Premier League.

Lots of people say Man City are in a transitional period but I think that is baloney.

If a team spends £200million on new players of international quality, then City’s owners from Abu Dhabi must be expecting results.

But perhaps rival teams have figured them out after City’s blistering start to the season.

And I think now you have to fundamentally ask questions - with Hiddink an ideal successor to Hughes.

I remember seeing Hiddink’s first game in charge of Chelsea at Aston Villa last season when he played 4-3-3.

They were very pleasing on the eye and he immediately revived the club’s fortunes.

A return to Chelsea should also not be ruled out for Hiddink, who could go in as a director of football.

With his contacts in the game and broad coaching knowledge, it would stand any club in good stead having him around.

And if Tom Hicks and George Gillett are seeking to nudge Benitez out of the door at Liverpool, then bringing in Hiddink above him as a technical director may be shrewd.

We all know Benitez is on a lucrative long-term contract which makes him difficult to sack.

But if Hiddink was there in the background, then he could always take over if and when the Spaniard goes.

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