SPORTS> Feature and Column
|
SPORTS> Feature and Column
|
|
Soccer-Hiddink's appointment irks Russia's old guard
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-08-02 09:41 MOSCOW, Aug 2 - Guus Hiddink has not even started work as Russia soccer manager yet he has already become the darling of local fans and media.
While the Russian public have quickly fallen in love with the charismatic Dutchman, who will be the country's first foreign manager, some of his fellow coaches from Russia's old guard have given him the cold shoulder. Former Russia manager Valery Gazzayev was one of the most staunch opponents of Hiddink's appointment, saying a foreigner could never understand the secret of the Russian soul. "I strongly believe that being just a good coach is not enough to lead our national team," said Gazzayev. "You must be a real patriot, thoroughly understand our national identity, character and traditions, and for that you must be born here." Gazzayev, who last year became the first Russian coach to lift a European club trophy when CSKA Moscow won the UEFA Cup, has queried Hiddink's standing. "This year I was invited to attend an elite coaching course by UEFA but I didn't see Hiddink there," Gazzayev said recently. Another former Russia manager, Oleg Romantsev, also criticised the hiring of the Dutchman, saying the Hiddink-led Australia used primitive tactics at the World Cup. Local media mocked such comments, pointing to Romantsev's own record as Russia manager. OUTDATED TACTICS Romantsev coached Russia at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, where they failed to progress from one of the easiest first-round groups. The team were dubbed 'Jurassic' for using outdated tactics while the manager was criticised for selecting an ageing squad and adopting an overly cautious approach. Gazzayev succeeded Romantsev following the 2002 fiasco but fared no better. He lost to Georgia, Albania and Israel, prompting him to quit in August 2003. |
