Guus Hiddink: No rift with Ronald Koeman

Guus Hiddink has insisted his relationship with Ronald Koeman has recovered from the time they were rivals to be manager of the Netherlands.

Koeman wanted to succeed Louis van Gaal after the 2014 World Cup and was disappointed that not only was he offered the role of Hiddink’s assistant at a time when he had long been respected as a manager, but that it was the Dutch Football Association and not Hiddink who made the offer.

It affected a long and positive relationship, which began with Hiddink inspiring PSV Eindhoven and Koeman to a 1988 European Cup triumph, and Koeman has this week spoken of the current Chelsea interim manager’s positive influence.