FA Cup final 2009: Chelsea's John Terry plans to give Guus Hiddink farewell to remember

29 May 2009 12:15
Terry and his team-mates will mark the end of Hiddink's brief reign by handing the Dutchman a present after the Wembley showpiece against Everton. Chelsea captain Terry wouldn't reveal the exact nature of the gift but he has no intention of making that the only going-away momento for Hiddink, who resumes his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis immediately after this weekend's match. "There will be something from the lads. It would be nice to do it after we've won the trophy," Terry said. "There's no party, it's just a gift from the players. It's a nice way to say thank you for all his hard work. "But we owe it to ourselves and Guus to win the FA Cup. That is the least we can do for Guus. We would love to win the FA Cup and send him off in style." Hiddink has made a major impact since his arrival as successor to Luiz Felipe Scolari in February. Scolari's laidback attitude had failed to spark a positive response from players more used to Jose Mourinho's stick and carrot method of motivation. Hiddink's open, direct approach struck much more of a chord from the moment he got on the team coach for the journey home after a 1-0 win at Aston Villa in his first match. The previously spluttering Chelsea responded by producing a run of just one defeat in 21 games in all competitions. And although that wasn't enough to win the Premier League or Champions League, it earned Hiddink a place in the hearts of Terry and company. "After the first game away to Aston Villa, the first thing he said was 'great win lads, lets get on the bus, it's a long journey back, we can have a couple of beers and talk about the game'," Terry said. "That went down really well. He had a beer and a glass of wine on the bus. The lads were speaking to him as he was walking down the bus. "It all went down well. Little things like that, you really appreciate as a player. I've asked him to stay but we respect that, from day one, he said he owed it to Russia to go back. That is the kind of man he is, full of pride. "After about the 20th time of asking him I knew I was wasting my breath. I'm a man of loyalty myself and I admire him 100 per cent." Terry admits Hiddink will be sorely missed because his blend of hard-nosed desire and down to earth friendliness got the best out of Chelsea's ego-filled dressing room. "He is a great man as well as a great manager," Terry said. "You know you can't cross him and you have to make sure you are an honest player. "He doesn't like to see people slacking or working at 80 per cent in training. He wants everyone to be on their game every single day. I have learned a lot from different managers and especially him. "If you make a mistake in a game or training he will scream and shout at you. Sometimes a kick up the backside is what you need. "I think he has come in and restored confidence in a few of us. Frank (Lampard) and Ashley (Cole) have been excellent all season but a few others, including me, our form dipped a little." Meanwhile, Chelsea and England left-back Cole admits becoming the first player for more than 100 years to win five FA Cup medals would be a major achievement in his career. The 28-year-old has lifted the famous trophy four times, with three of those triumphs coming during his time at Arsenal. But the England international is determined to join an elite band of players when he lines up against Everton on Saturday. The last player to win a quintuple of FA Cups was Jimmy Forrest of Blackburn in 1891, while the only other players to achieve the feat are Charles Wollaston in 1878 and Arthur Kinnaird in 1882. "It would be a great milestone if I could get it," said Cole. "I would be honoured to have the record. It's a great trophy to win and I would be delighted to win it five times."

Source: Telegraph