FA Cup final 2009: Bittersweet win for Chelsea as Guus Hiddink takes his leave

30 May 2009 21:50
Always have the memory of how a charismatic Dutchman brought light to a dressing room that had plunged into darkness. [LNB]As Hiddink moved from player to player at the final whistle, embracing them all, sharing the precious moment as they celebrated this deserved FA Cup triumph, his words were simple and tinged with sadness: well done and farewell. Rarely has the Champagne sipped from the old trophy had such a bittersweet taste. [LNB] Related ArticlesEverton dared to dreamFA Cup Final 2009: RatingsLampard: FA Cup perfect parting gift for HiddinkFA Cup final 2009: PreviewSport on televisionChelsea 2 Everton 1: Match reportAs Hiddink kept rejigging his team to outwit David Moyes' Everton, calls for him to stay flowed relentlessly from the terraces, beseeching the board to retain the immense services of this inspirational coach. When Hiddink nimbly controlled a loose ball and returned it accurately, Chelsea fans cheered as if it had been Frank Lampard. [LNB]Chelsea are not just losing a master of motivating players and a shrewd strategist; they are saying goodbye to a special person. Hiddink's dignity, particularly in the gut-wrenching aftermath of Champions League defeat to Barcelona, brought a touch of class to the Bridge. [LNB]Hiddink was a caretaker who did more than take care of the team; he reinvigorated players like Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda, two empty vessels under Luis Felipe Scolari. He walked into the dressing room, told all the players the slate was clean, that if they delivered in training and in matches they would stay in the team. Treated like adults, the players responded. [LNB]Drogba and Malouda, John Terry and Lampard liked his ideas, his humour. On the eve of the final, Hiddink laughed with his squad that they should "ask the referee to start games with us a goal down, as we often play better in this situation!'' They recovered against Arsenal in the semi-final. Here, they fought back from Louis Saha's stunning early strike. [LNB]It still seems bizarre that Chelsea are courting Carlo Ancelotti, a coach the fans do not want, an Italian who has yet to learn English properly, who will have ludicrously big boots to fill. Of course, Hiddink has unfinished business with the Russian national team, and Roman Abramovich is too smart to upset the Kremlin, but they could go Dutch in every sense. [LNB]Russia may be out of the running for the 2010 World Cup by December or their place secured, leaving them only with friendly games until the end of the season. Few first-teamers are around Cobham during international week, so Hiddink would not be missed. [LNB]His leading strikers, Andrei Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchenko, live in London yet now Hiddink moves back to Moscow to check on his players. Crazy. Chelsea insisted last night Hiddink was "definitely'' off. Sad. [LNB]At least Hiddink leaves Chelsea with a beautiful silver souvenir of their time together. As the clock ticked slowly through the four minutes of injury time, Hiddink became so agitated, knowing he was so close to a glittering prize. He kept gesticulating at the fourth official, Martin Atkinson, holding up five fingers, signalling that an excessive amount of time was being played. [LNB]And then nirvana. Full time. The Cup was won. The final triumph for Chelsea, a final bow for Hiddink. Chelsea will miss a coach so respected within football that Fabio Capello sought him out afterwards. Ray Wilkins refused to lift the Cup until Hiddink was there, pushing it towards the man who made it possible. So gracious, Hiddink consoled Moyes, a manager with far fewer resources but with similar impact on his team. [LNB]This highly enjoyable Cup final showcased the abilities of both managers, whose large pictures stared down on proceedings, as if overseeing every move. Which they did. Chelsea and Everton marched to their managers' beat – like the fans. Evertonian supporters on one train south stood for much of the journey, chanting Moyes' name – and that was in first class. [LNB]Moyes' tactics initially caught Hiddink cold, the 4-4-1-1 formation seeing a midfield full of fireflies with Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha taking it in turns to drop back and help out. Moyes has been deprived of a spine, from Phil Jagielka through Mikel Arteta to Yakubu, but his team was strong and organised, Saha volleying Everton sensationally in front after only 26 seconds. [LNB]Chelsea did not fold. A new steel has been forged by Hiddink. Malouda tore into Everton, giving poor Tony Hibbert a real chasing, and crossing for Drogba to score. [LNB]Hiddink's tactics were now working; with John Obi Mikel anchoring, Michael Essien and Lampard were able to raid upfield. Moyes had to react. Showing his tactical acumen, Everton's manager pulled Fellaini back into midfield, pushed Tim Cahill on and introduced Lars Jacobsen. The only thing Hibbert had caught was the sun. [LNB]Moyes' redeployment of Cahill helped, giving Chelsea's defence real problems. As Everton threatened, Hiddink made some changes, notably putting Michael Ballack alongside Mikel, the German making some important interceptions, and releasing Lampard to forage forward, soon bringing that magical winner. [LNB]The right team won, the right manager won, but it was impossible to escape the feeling that Chelsea and Hiddink have made the wrong decision. The passion will endure – from a distance. [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph