Sydney FC skipper Alex Brosque said Guus Hiddink’s surprise visit to their training base boosted morale after their loss to rivals Melbourne Victory in the Hyundai A-League on Saturday.
The Dutch super coach dropped by the Sky Blues’ Macquarie University base at the invitation of Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold, a former assistant coach with Hiddink during his time as Socceroos coach.
Hiddink, who is in Sydney for the ten-year anniversary celebrations of the Socceroos’ World Cup qualification over Uruguay on November 16, 2005, remains a popular figure in Australia.
He is often referred to as “Aussie Guus” after not only helping Australia qualify for a first World Cup in 32 years, but also helping guide the team through the group and into the knockout stages of Germany 2006.
“Everybody remembers the day Australia qualified. I was speaking to my brother about it last night about where each of us was,” Brosque told reporters.
“He [Hiddink] helped changed football in this country and helped get football to where it is now.
“The fact that Australia qualified after such a long time, the A-League was starting that season and it just flowed on.
“The crowds came and the A-League is where it is now.”
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The former Turkey, Holland and Chelsea coach was also in attendance at Allianz Stadium to see the Big Blue, won 4-2 by Victory.
“Someone of his stature to have him here in Australia and here at Macquarie where we are training is great.
“With the teams he’s coached around the world – the big name stars – to have him here looking over us and watching us train is great.
“He’s definitely an idol. He’s a massive name in world football.
“It’s good to see him here and inspire a few of the young boys as well,” the striker added.
