Hiddink mulls Australia return for 2010 World Cup

[Jake Barnes]

MELBOURNE, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Dutch coach Guus Hiddink has not ruled out a return as coach of Australia for the 2010 World Cup, according to local media. (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394141&cc=3436)

Seems it would be a bit unfair to whoever is made manager in the years leading up to the World Cup. That is assuming that whoever is made manager is succesful during that period. Still though, it'd be hard not to get excited about Guus managing the team again.

Do we keep an interim manager until 2008 when Hiddink's current contract expires? Hope that someone takes the job knowing that there's a chance that he'll be out of a job once the run-up to the next WC starts?

[pydgey]

i get the feeling that that's wat the FFA are hoping...

based on their budget and hiddink's stock atm i dun think there's a high chance of him returning...

but who knows if russia do crap then things mite change :confused:

[Jake Barnes]

I would imagine if he comes back it won't be because of money. There are too many countries that can offer more. I don't think it's unrealistic to think he has a fondness for the team though. I'd say unless he goes to a country with a really broad pool of players to choose from there's a reasonable chance he'd come back here. I can't imagine he'd expect to make the sort of money he's making in Russia unless he went to one of the big European teams.

[cartbran]

I wonder if he is worried about failing in Russia? In both Korea and Australia, he was given absolute control of the situation and probably dictated a lot of terms. In Russia, I wonder if their attitude is a little different. They are paying him big bucks, but I wonder if there are not some strings attached, like being told who to select, his tactics, etc. Also in Korea and Australia, I am pretty sure both govt's put a lot of resources into improving the training facilities during Guus's tenure. I wonder if the Russian govt has the same commitment or whether they just expect a high priced coach will deliver them a quick fix for a system that is probably broken from the top down.

[Matski]

Guus coming back would be fantastic.
i dont think it'll happen though.

[Jake Barnes]

I wonder if he is worried about failing in Russia? In both Korea and Australia, he was given absolute control of the situation and probably dictated a lot of terms. In Russia, I wonder if their attitude is a little different. They are paying him big bucks, but I wonder if there are not some strings attached, like being told who to select, his tactics, etc. Also in Korea and Australia, I am pretty sure both govt's put a lot of resources into improving the training facilities during Guus's tenure. I wonder if the Russian govt has the same commitment or whether they just expect a high priced coach will deliver them a quick fix for a system that is probably broken from the top down.


Good points there. Isn't Abromavich paying his salary because the Russian FA couldn't afford him? If thats the case I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't much money available for other things. I don't know much about the Russian FA, but I've got to say that my gut feeling has always been that Hiddink wouldn't be there long. I don't know what the reason would be but I just don't think it'll last.

Just have to hope when his time in Russia ends the unlikely happens and he decides he wants to take the challenge again.
Then he'll come back and we'll be happy again - He said, sounding very much like a teenage girl in denial about being dumped.