Hiddink not the long-term answer for Chelsea

Hiddink has had success during his second stint at Chelsea. However, he’s not a long-term solution.

The wheels are finally beginning to turn for Chelsea. In the last two months, the Blues have experienced more success than they had in the first half of their season. Much of this success can be attributed to their interim manager, Guus Hiddink.

The Dutchman was appointed to replace the departed Jose Mourinho on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. He has flourished in this role, helping to steady the ship, heal wounds left by Mourinho, and calmly seek improvement amongst the squad.

The project he was tasked with was a large one, and it’s going quite nicely. To be honest, I had my doubts when he was appointed. He comes with quite the impressive CV, but at the same time, his stock has fallen in recent years.

That being said, he’s exceeded my expectations, and probably most people’s expectations about what could be achieved by a squad that was in a relegation battle a few months ago.

But what has made him so successful?

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I would argue that most of his success can be contributed to the drastic difference in managerial style that he employs in comparison to the last manager.

He is also flourishing in a position where he doesn’t have to think long-term, because he won’t be apart of it. The removal of that pressure is allowing him to make short-term, smart decisions, helping Chelsea to succeed in the short-term.

I am quite impressed with Hiddink and how he’s calmed the situation at Stamford Bridge. However, I firmly believe he should not be appointed beyond this season.

The reasons are simple. First and foremost, it’s ignorant to suggest that he hasn’t benefited from the contrast of styles that he employs, compared with his predecessor, Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese manager demands the most out his players, more than most if not all managers. He trains harder, pushes players further and puts enormous amounts of pressure on his players to succeed.

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Sometimes, players flourish under that mentality. They become stronger, boasting thicker skin and are more prepared to work hard for their goals. However, it also has the ability to cause burnout. Players that lack the ability to buckle down and work hard often give up and poor form rears it’s ugly head.

In contrast, Hiddink is much more calm, allowing the players to focus on what makes them perform at their best. There is much more opportunity to express oneself, and freedom to train in whatever manner they see fit. Hiddink is a player’s coach, catering to the likes of his team.

However, in the long-term, this style will not help Chelsea thrive. His tactics aren’t what they should be. Employing Matic and Mikel in the defensive midfield for as long as he did, stalled Chelsea’s progress. The amount of points Chelsea dropped against teams they should have beaten is disheartening.

Furthermore, Chelsea appear to be devoid of identity at times playing under Hiddink. They seem to be coasting, threatening at times, but seemingly content to take a draw.

In the Premier League, a team of Chelsea’s status should have the aim of taking three points from every match.

You have to be ruthless, you have to be highly competitive, and you have to stop at nothing to win games. Managers like Mourinho are driven by competition. The concept of winning is above all else in priority. That is something Mourinho and Abramovich have in common.

With the game on the line, you have to be willing to make decisions that could impact the game. Taking risk is fully understood to be under the job description of a manager. Changing to three in the back and putting on an extra striker is not the safe choice, but it’s a way to change the context of the match.

Hiddink is not this type of manager. He’s focused on employing his tactics and rarely shifts formations or personnel with the changing context of a football match. Chelsea need a manager with the ability and the guile to make those changes without a moment of doubt. Hiddink is not that man.

At this level, winning is everything. Feeling good, and having the ability to express oneself are not priorities that hold much water. Under Hiddink, Chelsea may be more comfortable, but they also come across less hungry.

The performances are better, there are more smiles around Cobham, and players seem to have a better understanding of working with each other. But they are not as driven toward success.

Perhaps, Hiddink should be treated as a guidance counselor or therapist. He has been employed to come in, mend wounds and help provide confidence.

But he’s a temporary fix. Eventually, the player’s will have to put their egos aside, realize that winning is everything, and work toward achieving success in every competition their involved with.

That thinking is simply not aligned enough with Hiddink. From day 1 of next season, the Blues have to be hungry. They have to be training hard, keeping the focus on winning matches.

And at the helm has to be a manager that’s heart and soul exists to win football matches. The rest is white noise and hearsay.

Mourinho had that quality, and Chelsea have to replace Hiddink with another manager who is willing to coach with that mentality.

It’ll be difficult to attract top managers to Chelsea, given their apparent lack of Champions League next season. However, they have to make sure they appoint someone who has the hunger and desire to get the Blues back where they belong, the top.

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