Former Russia manager Guus Hiddink will be heading to the World Cup after all as he will lead Ivory Coast in South Africa. This will be Hiddink’s fourth World Cup finals tournament after leading his country of birth Holland in 1998, South Korea in 2002 and Australia in 2006. Russia failed to qualify for what would have been their third World Cup finals (as Russia) after their defeat to Slovenia in the playoff round last November. Hiddink had recently been linked in a move to Liverpool, however the 1988 European Cup winner will now manage Turkey as they build for Euro 2012.
This will be the second World Cup finals Ivory Coast have participated in. They played their first match in 2006, losing 2-1 to Argentina. It was the Netherlands up next but the score remained the same – the Dutch ran out 2-1 winners. The third and final game the Ivory Coast recorded their first and only win against Serbia Montenegro – leaving their first finals with heads held high. Didier Drogba will be hoping to add to his impressive 43 goals in 66 games in the summer, especially considering his team’s disappointing showing at the African Cup of Nations.
Hiddink has reportedly signed a two-month contract with Ivory Coast, starting on May 15 2010 which will run to July 15 2010. Hiddink has a history in getting the best out of so called ‘weaker’ teams at the finals, with South Korea reaching the semi finals in 2002. Australia only lost out in 2006 to a controversial late penalty to Italy in the quarter finals. Ivory Coast were one of the so called ‘dark horses’, however this was prior to their limp performance in the African Cup of nations in Angola. The fans of Les Elephants will be hopeful that the Ducthman can work his magic in a tough group consisting of five times World Cup winners Brazil, Portugal and second time qualifiers North Korea.
Hiddink has since pulled out of the race to coach the Ivory Coast in this summer’s finals.
