Guus Hiddink

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Lore & Background

Hiddink was born in Varsseveld and started his career as a player in the youth side of amateur club SC Varsseveld. He turned professional after signing for Dutch club De Graafschap in 1967. In 1973, during Hiddink's second spell there, he and manager Piet de Visser earned promotion to the Eredivisie. Hiddink spent most of his playing career at De Graafschap, including three years under de Visser, and remains a fan of the club. He joined PSV in 1970, but after failing to win a permanent position, rejoined De Graafschap after just one year and remained there until 1976. He then played for NEC from 1976 to 1977 before returning to De Graafschap in 1981, retiring a year later. Generally he played as a midfielder. Hiddink honed his coaching skills as assistant manager at PSV Eindhoven from 1983 until he was appointed manager there in March 1987. When he took command, the club was three points behind Ajax in the league, with ten matches remaining. PSV, however, managed to win the championship six points ahead of Ajax. It was at PSV where he led the team to its first ever European Cup triumph in 1988 (and The Treble). He also won three Eredivisie titles with the club between 1987 and 1989. Overall, Hiddink's PSV side won three consecutive Eredivisie titles (1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89) and the European Cup in the historic Treble-winning season of 1987–88, which also included the KNVB Cup. They repeated as KNVB Cup winners in 1988–89, but did not win the cup in 1986–87 or 1989–90. Hiddink also had a coaching stint at Turkish club Fenerbahçe from 1990 to 1991, but was dismissed after one year, later joining Spanish giants Valencia. He managed the Netherlands national team from 1 January 1995, reaching the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 1996 and the semi-finals of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, finishing fourth. He then managed Real Madrid in 1998–99, and Real Betis in 2000. He managed South Korea from January 2001, leading them to fourth place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He returned to PSV in 2002, winning three Dutch league titles (2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06), the 2005 Dutch Cup and the 2003 Dutch Super Cup. In the 2004–05 Champions League, PSV reached the semi-finals. Hiddink left PSV in June 2006. He also managed Australia from July 2005, leading them to qualify for the 2006 World Cup via a penalty shootout win over Uruguay.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere at De Philips Stadion shifted dramatically under Hiddink's touch. When he took command in March 1987, PSV was struggling, trailing rivals Ajax by three points with only ten games remaining. Through disciplined tactics and cohesive team building, the team surged to win the league six points ahead of their opponents. The pinnacle arrived in the 1987–88 season. Hiddink orchestrated a historic Treble: three consecutive Eredivisie titles starting from his arrival, three consecutive KNVB Cups, and the European Cup. This victory was not just about trophies; it transformed PSV's identity. Berry van Aerle highlighted Hiddink's humility, noting how he involved his entire staff in the celebration of success rather than seeking individual glory. This culture of unity propelled the team through a decade of dominance until Hiddink moved on to Turkey in 1990.

Reader's Guide

Guus Hiddink is a Dutch football manager and former player. Key facts: born 8 November 1946 in Varsseveld; played as a midfielder for De Graafschap and PSV; managed PSV Eindhoven from March 1987, winning the European Cup in 1988, three consecutive Eredivisie titles (1987–1990), and three consecutive KNVB Cups; also managed Fenerbahçe, Valencia, the Netherlands national team, Real Madrid, Real Betis, South Korea (leading them to fourth place at the 2002 World Cup), returned to PSV (winning three more league titles), and Australia.

Did You Know?

• Hiddink led PSV to their first ever European Cup triumph in 1988, as part of a Treble-winning season.
• He became the first-ever person to be given honorary South Korean citizenship after leading the team to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals.
• Hiddink's PSV side won the KNVB Cup in 1987–88 and 1988–89, but not three consecutive cups.
• He managed both PSV and the Australia national team simultaneously in 2005.

Early Life and Playing Days

Born in Varsseveld, Hiddink started his career with amateur club SC Varsseveld. He turned professional in 1967 signing for De Graafschap under manager Piet de Visser. In 1973, during his second spell at De Graafschap alongside de Visser, the pair secured promotion to the Eredivisie. Hiddink joined PSV Eindhoven in 1970 but returned to De Graafschap after one year due to a lack of a permanent spot, staying there until 1977. He rejoined De Graafschap again in 1981 and retired as a player in 1982. Throughout his career, he generally played as a midfielder.

PSV Eindhoven Treble Success

Hiddink served as assistant manager at PSV from 1983 before becoming head coach in March 1987. At that time, the team was three points behind Ajax with ten matches left but won the title six points clear. In the 1987–88 season, he led PSV to its first-ever European Cup and a Treble consisting of three consecutive Eredivisie titles (1987–1990) and three consecutive KNVB Cups. This era affirmed PSV's rank as one of Dutch football's three giants. Berry van Aerle praised Hiddink's leadership, noting he shared credit with his staff to maintain unity. Hiddink left for Turkish club Fenerbahçe in 1990.

National Team Leadership

Hiddink took over the Netherlands national team on 1 January 1995, managing a squad plagued by internal disputes using a 4–4–2 formation. At UEFA Euro 1996, he sent Edgar Davids home after an argument; the team reached the quarter-finals before losing to France on penalties. By the 1998 FIFA World Cup, internal conflicts were resolved, and the team played entertaining football. They defeated Argentina 2–1 in the quarter-finals but lost to Brazil on penalties in the semi-finals, finishing fourth. Hiddink resigned shortly after this tournament.

South Korea World Cup Miracle

Appointed manager of South Korea on 1 January 2001, Hiddink led a team that had never won a World Cup match. Despite early criticism and a loss to the United States Gold Cup team in January 2002, he focused on physical fitness. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, South Korea achieved its first-ever tournament victory (2–0 over Poland), drew with the U.S., and beat Portugal 1–0 to advance. They upset Italy 2–1 via a golden goal by Ahn Jung-hwan in the second round and defeated Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals. The run ended with a 1–0 semi-final loss to Germany, finishing fourth after a 3–2 defeat to Turkey.