Champions League hurt won't go away for Chelsea manager Hiddink

27 May 2009 16:20
Hard to take: Hiddink suffered against Barcelona Guus Hiddink is still fuming over Chelsea's Champions League exit as Barcelona and Manchester United prepare for their final showdown in Rome. It is three weeks since Barca beat the Blues on away goals after a controversial 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge where Hiddink's side were heading for the Italian capital until Andres Iniesta struck deep into injury-time. But the hosts had been denied four penalty claims during the match and striker Didier Drogba and midfielder Michael Ballack let rip at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo on the final whistle. Dutchman Hiddink kept his cool at the time but he admitted he is still struggling to come to terms with the disappointment. He said: 'Day by day I am getting rid of the anger but if you push the right button in my soul you will still find a little bit of anger. We had a great performance against Barcelona. We know the injustice. 'I was blown out in the semi-final once before, losing to AC Milan with PSV and you  cope better if you can blame yourself. But this injustice came from the people in charge.' Looking ahead to what he could have won, Hiddink added:  'I will be watching the game but if I get a call from my uncle I will answer it, which is not something I normally do. 'It's nothing against Barcelona or Manchester United, it's our own anger, deep down, still existing. 'After Barcelona I was not in the best state of mind when I had a conversation with (Chelsea owner) Roman Abramovich at the training ground in Cobham. 'I was raging but he said "be proud because you have only made a good impression worldwide with the team, especially in the second game against Barcelona. Don't be negative, be proud of the team, the way you have played and what you have achieved in the last months".' While Hiddink is set to return to his job as coach of Russia, he admits saying farewell to the players after Saturday's FA Cup final will tug at his heart strings a little more than usual. Chelsea take on Everton at Wembley and Hiddink said: 'I have said goodbyes before but being here for a relatively short time and working every day with the players and staff, it will give me some emotions, that is true. 'I have enjoyed every minute. I have had a wonderful time and when you have that, it is more difficult to say goodbye. 'The target just before I started was to qualify for the Champions League directly but being in a big club, you cannot just be happy with that aim. 'It is beautiful to be in the FA Cup final but we are in a profession where it is always good to get some silverware. 'The team did well from February on but we are professional enough that we will be very disappointed not having any silverware.'

Source: Daily_Mail