After having performed a miracle albeit controversial with South Korea in the 2002 World Cup, followed up by leading the Socceroos to their first World Cup in 34 years only to beaten somewhat controversially against Italy who went on to win the World Cup and not to mention his recent success with Russia where he took them all the way to the semi finals in the 2008 European Championship, Guus may be on the brink of another fairytale.
In true Hiddink form, Guus has taken charge of Chelsea for a short term contract that ends in the summer. Guus will be charged now doubt, to bring the Champions League to Stamford Bridge. This is the one trophy that has so far eluded Mr. Abramovich and following the personal debacle of Moscow last year, Roman quite clearly feels that Guus is the man. And certainly, he just may be. After being in charge of Australia for only 3 months, Guus not only clinched qualification for the boys from downunder but took them to Germany where they received accolades for their stellar performance from football quarters around the world.
Here is a video from Germany 2006 where Hiddink's Socceroos came back impressively to beat Japan.
Foreign ownership in the Premier League is on the rise. Manchester
City the most recent club to be bought by wealthy foreign investors who
'like to watch the premier league' so they decided to go buy a club
rather than buy a television like most people would.
So is this growing trend which looks set to continue a good or bad thing for English football and football in general.
One
thing is clear and that is English clubs are now the most successful in
the world and the Premier League the most watched competition. All this
success is due in part to foreign ownership.
Clubs in the other major leagues may just have to follow suit in order to compete in the future with the English teams.
English
football may lose its authenticity, however, the Premier League has
been besieged with foreign players and managers for the best part of a
decade. So in truth, the Premier League started losing itself a long
time ago. Foreign ownership may well just be the nail in the coffin.
This
still may not altogether be a bad thing. Ask a Chelsea fan if they
would of have it any other way and I'm sure they would be rather happy
with the state and success of the club now. Same goes for Manchester
City fans, who I'm sure must think of it as some divine miracle the
their new owners plan to make it the biggest club in the world. Quite
possible, given that Manchester City is now the most popular club in
the world.
Below, catch a glimpse of the magic on display now at the City of Manchester stadium.