‘An example to his peers’

The KNVB has named Guus Hiddink a national knight. The former national team coach of Orange was praised by association president Just Spee for his great achievements for Dutch soccer.

“To this day, Guus is an example for his peers. Like no other during his career, he proved able to excel in cultures other than our own and everywhere he went he managed to win players over,” Spee said.

The 76-year-old Hiddink had two periods of Orange under his care and finished fourth at the World Cup in 1998. As a club coach, he achieved his greatest Dutch success by winning the 1988 European Cup I with PSV.

Spee: “With his working methods and his personality, he has raised the prestige of Dutch soccer at home and abroad to a higher level. Moreover, it is great to see how he is now passing on his knowledge and skills as a mentor for a next generation of trainers.”

Hiddink was surprised Wednesday during a meeting of the Coaches Professional Football (CBV). During that meeting he addressed the other trainers as chairman, following the cup final that was marred by the many mutual irritations on the pitch.