REACTION: NEARLY PERFECT, VERY EMOTIONAL
Guus Hiddink says winning the FA Cup was one of the special moments of his distinguished career, and a near-perfect way to say goodbye to Chelsea.
Hiddink was speaking after our 2-1 win against Everton at Wembley for the last time as Blues coach, and will now return to his full-time role with Russia as the deliverer of silverware we so desired.
Beaten just once in his three-and-a-half months in charge at Stamford Bridge, the Dutchman signed off in north London by coming from behind to lift the famous trophy.
Asked if it was the perfect way to depart, he said: 'Yes I think so, it would have been a bit more perfect if we had been somewhere a few days ago. That's the only regret I have, not playing Man U.
'I would have loved to play Man U which did not happen, so it was almost perfect with this FA Cup winning and this club must win silverware every year. Not having won this Cup would have left a feeling it was not totally finished.'
Sadly, the affair is now over, and Hiddink explained his feelings on an emotional day.
'The feeling is some sadness because I leave this very good, competitive team, but on the other hand leaving with silverware leaves a feeling of satisfaction,' he admitted.
'This is the best way I think, if we had not got this cup today I would have felt I did a good job but the standard is to get some silverware each year. You can say goodbye with what has been achieved, with a cup. Some sadness but also a joy that we did it.
'It was emotional in the dressing room. I gathered the players and technical staff because I won't get the opportunity anymore to speak directly, so we had five minutes from my side and I thanked them in an emotional way for the way we worked together,' he explained.
'It means a lot, and to the club as well. For me it means a lot because when I was young, there was a Saturday in May you had to find a telly somewhere to watch the FA Cup. It means a lot worldwide, this FA Cup is watched and is regarded as one of the biggest cups, that's why it means a lot to me.'
Analysing the 90 minutes, Hiddink conceded he had not even seen Everton's early goal, but was impressed with the Chelsea performance that followed.
'I didn't really see what happened but whatever happened it is not good because we have to react again,' he said of Louis Saha's opener. 'Reacting against Everton is difficult because they are proven well organised squad. David Moyes deserves a lot of respect.
'Then there were two class goals, we attacked them from their right side with our left wingers, Ashley and Malouda and when you make that beautiful goal you get the feeling it will happen today. You know you can do it and in the second half, it was a tremendous, typical Lampard goal.
'It was not easy and you saw him thinking "I have to make this final shot", aiming perfectly at the corner. It was a typical, beautiful Frank Lampard goal.'
Everton manager Moyes agreed with Hiddink;s assessment and praised the players he believed made the difference on the day.
'Chelsea had just a bit too much for us. They were the better team and used the conditions better than we did. It was a great start but it seemed to inspire Chelsea and we found ourselves chasing the ball,' he said.
'We have talked about Frank Lampard and Malouda and Cole. We knew Malouda and Cole have a great combination there, I think that led to the first goal, and also Frank Lampard's ability to win big games, he is a big player.'
After the game, celebrations continued in the Chelsea dressing room for some time and Hiddink was able to shed some light on the scenes.
'We had a pre-party, we have a multicultural squad from South America to eastern Europe, Africans, and we had a nice dance party already, everyone participated,' he laughed.
'[Roman Abramovich] danced with us as well and enjoyed it, he was in the middle of the party. He is not a man of many words, he is observing very much and enjoyed it very much.'
A huge flag had been unfurled before kick-off on behalf of both the club and our supporters, thanking Hiddink for the work he had done.
Now he returns to Russia for World Cup qualifiers, but does not know what he will do after his contract is up.
'I don't know what my future will be but as long as I feel energetic and I can deliver, and I get back the energy that I got back from this team and not going into the trap of being a routine coach bringing every day the same, I might go on,' he said.
Regardless of his next move, Hiddink will always be held in the highest regard at Stamford Bridge, and as the man who turned the 2008/09 season around.
As the flag read, Thank You Guus.
