Hire Gus

MEMO TO SUNIL GULATI: HIRE GUS HIDDINK

Granted, the continued growth of the men's U.S. national team program requires a comprehensive approach that touches several fronts, player development, grassroots coaching development, raising the level of play the national professional league...

But leadership from the top is vital. That is why it is important to invest in the man on top: the men's U.S. national team coach. This man should be more than a coach, he should be a leader with unquestioned international soccer credibility and authority, a man with a strong personality and passion, not afraid to request, demand changes, as part of a long-term vision to get things right.

For this an other reasons listed below, the ideal man to replace Bruce Arena as U.S. national team coach is Gus Hiddink.

Did I mention his strong personality? Or as we Americans say it, his well placed cojones to make things happen, to whatever it takes to get the desired result: to win.

Back in April, 2006, Dutch coach Gus Hiddink, found himself with not one, or two, but three jobs at the same time. He was coach of the Australian national team, club PSV Eindhoven of Holland and had recently inked a fresh contract as coach of the Russian national team immediately following the conclusion of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Hiddink's services are highly sought after, and for good reason: he brings a rather unique set of professional international coaching experience, magnetic and charismatic personality, in-depth technical and tactical knowledge, and worldly manners and resources like the fact that he speaks five languages Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish. He also speaks basic Italian.

Another important aspect is the fact that Hiddink has a strong connection to U.S. soccer having played in the North American Soccer League with the Washington Diplomats and San Jose Earthquakes in the late 70s. He knows the U.S. soccer community and the huge promise of its soccer market.

Hiddink has all the credentials of a world class coach and then some.

Former coach of the national teams of the Netherlands, South Korea, Australia and set to coach Russia. At the club level, he has led Real Madrid, Valencia and Real Betis, all of Spain, plus PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), Fenerbahce (Turkey) and De Grassfschap (Netherlands).

His biggest accomplishments:

Led South Korea to a fourth place finish in 2002 World Cup, also leading the Netherlands to the same position at the 1998 World Cup. Multiple league championships with PSV plus strong performances in the European championships.

Hiddink would not come cheap. In addition to his undisclosed annual salary rumored to be in excess of $2 million, Hiddink will receive a $1.4 million bonus for leading Australia to the second round, according to the Australian press.

But with the right contract, one that ensures that Hiddink would dedicate himself fully to U.S. soccer, American soccer would greatly benefit. In top of his knowledge and experience, Hiddink is a media friendly personality sure to produce unprecedented news coverage for the program. He is not shy about speaking his mind. He would surely say his peace and generate headlines in the process raising the visibility of the team and the program.



American soccer needs the leadership of world class coaches and world class soccer leaders to lead them to the next level. A coach like Hiddink, or a select few other world class coaches such as Argentina's Carlos Bianchi or even the return talented but a bit too low-key Carlos Queiroz of Portugal would also be a step in the right direction. Queiroz (pictured here with David Beckham during his short stint as head coach of Real Madrid), is a former coach of the NY/NJ MetroStars (Red Bulls) and a former advisor to the USSF.

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