Guus Hiddink was back at Cobham on Thursday, and while he took time to catch up with players and staff alike, there was also a professional angle as he continues in his new role as Turkey coach.
The Dutchman spent almost four months at Chelsea early last year, leading us to an FA Cup win and the Champions League semi-finals, and made a lot of friends at the club along the way.
He dropped by early last season in a sociable visit, but this time spoke with Turkish reserve team winger Gokhan Tore, as well as sporting director Frank Arnesen and Carlo Ancelotti before sitting down with the official Chelsea website outside the Cobham canteen.
Guus, everybody seems delighted to see you here today...It is a nice experience to feel welcome but I didn't have any doubts about that because I've had a wonderful time here with the people inside this building and the stadium, so I felt warmly appreciated and welcomed by everyone.
Does it seem like almost 18 months since you left?When I left? No it doesn't seem like that because first of all I have of course my new job but I still follow the performances every weekend when it is possible. Wherever I am I still have my access to Chelsea. I enjoy it and I'm very impressed also by the way they've performed this year, and last year, it is very stable and it's good to see.
Watching the side win the Double last year must have made you proud, having left the side on a high in May 2009?Yes, I cannot speak about myself but what I tried to do in that time was to stabilise the performances, it was up and down, good and bad, but I tried to do it in a short time to make a competitive team, which Chelsea should be, and I'm proud of that and that we achieved what we did.
Through circumstances everyone knows we didn't go to the final of the Champions League, but the team did a great job in those months we were working here, just one defeat against Tottenham.
Now there are lots of good results and a positive way of play. I'm happy to see it's going on with the influence of Carlo and Ray. I'm not the person to talk about my period but if it stabilised the side for last season then I'm very proud.
Next week we face Spartak, who you must know all about after being Russia coach?They have made some changes, I don't know very well all the players anymore, but they have a very bright young coach, who knows international football very well.
They will have a lot of respect for Chelsea here at Stamford Bridge. The first leg was, I don't want to say easy, but they scored well and that's impressive.
To face Chelsea on their home ground will be difficult for them, as I said before Chelsea is performing steadily and you don't get many options against them, especially at Stamford Bridge. Also, they don't underestimate any opponents, there is always the same approach.
What did you think of Yury Zhirkov's first Chelsea goal? I didn't see the full game, but I saw the beautiful goal of Yury. He is one of my boys from Russia, he is a special character, not an outspoken person but a good character. He has some wit and is a terrific player.
Tell us about this visit...I am on a scouting trip, it means I am watching some young Turkish players who are playing in several clubs in their reserve teams or first teams.
We want to qualify for Euro 2012, but at the same time we like to see and renew the squad from the selection. We will see what potential candidates there might be.
You made a good start in qualifying but have had a couple of defeats since...We made a good start against Kazakhstan away, it is not easy to play those games, and we had a very good game against a new Belgium team at home, winning, which was a good achievement.
Then we had two away games, Germany, which of course you go there and try to get a result but it is normal to be defeated, and then second was an unexpected defeat in Azerbaijan, where we did not create or take our chances, and they had one corner kick and a goal. So that's those games, but nevertheless there is a second road.
Will it be between you, Belgium and Austria to see who finishes second behind Austria?Yes, Germany is strong. What I liked from them last year is they changed their philosophy on their play and the players they like to have in the national team. They have changed more to an attacking way of playing, but are organised defensively.
Now they have a more light-footed creative way of playing, that's how football should be played, so they are the favourites and will be number one.
Were they the most impressive side for you at the World Cup, excluding Spain?I think so. Spain also has this beautiful approach and like to play football in all circumstances. You must try to play your own style and Germany is approaching that, especially in their way of thinking.
ძალიან მაგარი კაცი! სულ ახლოს იყო დუბლთან, მაგრამ.. ყველამ ვიცით.....
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Chelsea Football Club, Pride of London
