FA Cup final 2009: Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink v Everton's David Moyes

29 May 2009 13:12
Though markedly different in style, experience, tactical approach and resources, Everton manager David Moyes and Chelsea interim coach Guus Hiddink are united in one aim this weekend when they meet for the 2009 FA Cup final at Wembley. Guus Hiddink – Chelsea manager Feb 2009 – Jun 2009 Achievements: PSV Eindhoven (6 Eredivisie titles, 4 KNVB Cups, 1 European Cup); Real Madrid (1 intercontinental title) Hiddink may owe much to his Dutch footballing heritage but he is every bit the global citizen in footballing terms having worked in club football in the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey before he arrived on these shores to help out friend and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in his time of need. He has also managed the Dutch national team, South Korea, Australia and Russia, where he is still employed, taking all except Australia (he’s good, but not that good) to the last four of a major international tournament. Style: A purist in terms of extolling the virtues of a passing game, Hiddink nonetheless also recognises the value of hard work and commitment. His success in Korea owed much to his fostering of a solid team spirit and putting his players through fearsome training programmes. A vast footballing knowledge from the scientific to the historical means his teams play horses for courses football, combating the threat of opponents before earning the right to play their own game. Temperament: The 62-year-old coach has been there and done it so many times that he manages to blend a focused intensity with and apparently laid back, sunny disposition. His intelligence and experience allow him to never be ruffled and his breezy, polite charm and good humour has even achieved the seemingly impossible and made the neutral warm to Chelsea in these last few months - the end of the Champions League tie with Barcelona notwithstanding. Where’s the love? Everywhere. Hiddink seems to inspire affection wherever he goes and there isn’t a Chelsea fan around who will be happy to see him go when he returns to the Russian national team job full time after the Cup Final. Korean tourists still visit the small town where he grew up to have their picture taken outside his former house. What the future holds: Pretty much whatever he wants it to in footballing terms. A job will be available to him at Stamford Bridge and if he repeats the European Championship run with Russia at the next World Cup he will become as popular there as he is in the Far East. His good grace dictates that he will not be persuaded to stay in West London but he’ll be back one day. Unless he gets the Manchester United job when Sir Alex Ferguson retires. David Moyes – Everton manager 2002 – present Preston North End (Second division (now League One) champions 1999-2000); Everton (no club honours, LMA manager of the year three times) Moyes has yet to get his hands on any silverware with Everton though has built up an impressive reputation from turning around the fortunes of the club to the point where they are now regular top six finishers. That he has done so on a relative shoestring adds to the belief that his managerial qualities are long overdue for tangible reward. Style: Moyes’ Everton are characterised as artisans rather than artists, a collective whose effort overcomes their shortcomings. They are incredibly organised and disciplined but the same could be said of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, too. Without the resources to decorate his squad with luxury players – even playing without recognised strikers this season due to injury – Moyes has had to be clever with how he blends his team. The acquisition of Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini prove his excellence in spotting a player and using what funds he has wisely. Temperament: A thousand yard stare that would strike fear in to grown men often has Moyes portrayed as a dour Scot ready to unleash a violent temper at the merest provocation. While it is true he has a steely determination and demands total respect, honesty and work rate from his players, his man management skills are excellent and he does not rule on fear alone. Where’s the love? All over the blue half of the city. Moyes has allowed Evertonians to be proud again and should Everton win this weekend they will claim a major honour in a season when Liverpool did not. Neutrals hoping for someone – anyone – to break up the Big Four cartel are behind him, too. There is no bigger supporter, however, than owner Bill Kenwright who said: “As long as I can see him when I sit down, I know everything is going to be OK.” What the future holds: Celtic would love to tempt him north of the border but his standing is such that only Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement may see him leave Goodison, assuming Everton’s development continues at it’s current steady pace.

Source: Telegraph