............


That is all.

He's also been linked to Nigeria - That would be an awesome pairing, Hiddink and Nigeria, considering the top talent the Nigerians have at their disposal. Nigeria have always been considered a sleeping giant of world football, let alone Africa. They had that golden generation in the mid-late 90s to early this decade, Jay-Jay Okocha and co. The NT impressed at USA 94 (Round of 16 and nearly upset eventual finalists Italy), Won the African Nations Cup in 94, The Under 23s won gold at Athens 96 and a solid performance at France 98 (Made Round of 16). But they struggled at Korea/Japan 02 in a tough group of death and failed to qualify over Angola for Germany 06.

Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroon also have some top class European based players, but the depth in Nigeria's stocks, generationally, with soo many based in the top 6 European leagues. They've qualified for this World Cup are in a decent, but surpassable, group in Argentina, South Korea and Greece. They, realistically, could finish second in their group and therefore face, potentially, Group A winners France. BUT With the right coach, they could progress even further (Upset France, push England in the Quarter Final) and heck, they could even top their group (B), given Argentina's inconsistent form and face a Mexico or Uruguay in the Round of 16, defeat them and face likely Germany in the Quarter Final.

Nigeria's NT at the World Cup is a VERY interesting proposition, as are all the African powerhouses, considering it's their 'Home' World Cup. Ivory Coast and Ghana have Group of Death's, South Africa and Algeria will have it tough progessing from their group's too. But Nigeria's group, combined with the capability of their team, means they are perhaps Africa's best possible chance of making a good fist at this World Cup, they only need 'their Hiddink' and the 'real deal Hiddink' is surely the answer.

Turkey is boring, Nigeria would be another South Korea, a potential fairy tale, drawing the lifelong adoration of a nation.

Hiddink for Nigeria FTW!

Nigeria sacked their coach, again. (even though he got the team to SA). maybe they were not happy with third at the African cup. To my knowledge they are the only WC team without a manager at the momment. They would have to look pretty tempting to him and any other coach in a similar position looking for a team.

Turkey dont start Euro 2012 qualification until September. Nigeria dont have an african cup for a while. Whoever got the job at Nigeria could take it as a short term contract and then take over Turkey or any other team in a similar situation.

^ IN-DEED, Hiddink to Nigeria - PLEEEASSSE!

And how many of us are going for the underdog Africans at this World Cup eh? Algeria may have a no-name local coach, but Cameroon have a decent coach in Le Guen, as too Ivory Coast with successful Bosnian coach, Vahid Halilhodžić, Ghana's coach in Serbian, Milovan Rajevac, I'm less familiar with, but he seems a decent coach too. Seems only right that Nigeria find a similar calibre coach.

BTW To be honest - I'm surprised Nigeria had a Nigerian coaching their NT anyway, though obviously he did alright. They're the kind of nation who should have a Roy Hodgson or the like coaching them. Especially considering they are a part of the British Commonwealth and English is official, nationwide, language (They have other official languages reflecting the different ethnic and cultural groups within Nigeria). Though Hodgson aside, it's rather understandable that they haven't had a raft of Britons coaching their NT in the past, considering the low standing in which that region's coaches are held these days, relative to coaches from their cunterpart powerhouse nations on the Continent (Especially Italy, France, Spain etc...). Still I'd reckon even a presently more maligned but still amongst the most highly talented of British coaches, Steve McLaren, could do very well with the Nigerian NT.

If they can't get Hiddink, why don't they try for a Graeme Souness or the like even? Hmm I'd wonder how even the likes of former England managers like Glenn Hoddle and Terry Venables would do with Nigeria? Alan Curbishley? Welshman Mark Hughes even?

I reckon some of those guys could do an excellent job with Nigeria's NT, provided they can do the 'key job' of 'managing' Nigeria's star players and/or big egos and providing the team the level of 'discipline' required to succeed, consistently at an international level.

Harry Redknap and Nigeria would be quite some pairing too - Given he has coached a few of it's NT stars during his time with Portsmouth!

Edited by GloryPerth: 17/2/2010 01:59:09 AM

,:lol: did you watch Euro 08?

^ Oh I did, but hehe Nigeria need Hiddink's help far more than Turkey I think. :P Turkey are on the up in World football and they're already considered one of the strongest 'middle tier' nations in UEFA. Nigeria have been stagnant even falling short, for a decade or so now - Okocha, Kanu and co couldn't deliver Nigeria to it's fullest, but there are many younger guys coming through who are also playing at a high level, who have a chance to uplift Nigeria's ambitions, with the right guidance. Plus ofcourse, while Turkey did not make this World Cup, Nigeria did and the World Cup will be a rare time when it's in Africa - So there are little better opportunities for the Africans to do well, little more incentive, than this upcoming World Cup.

And you selectively quoted me - the rest of that quote was 'Turkey is boring, Nigeria would be another South Korea, a potential fairy tale, drawing the lifelong adoration of a nation.' So boring relative to 'the challenge' of managing Nigeria. ;) :P

Edit: Ah well, he's Managing Turkey now - Good appointment for Turkey, let
s hope he can lead them to the 2014 World Cup, if he is still coaching their NT then.

Edited by GloryPerth: 18/2/2010 01:26:23 AM