Hiddink fears Cahill to ruin his Chelsea farewell

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink fears Australia star Tim Cahill could wreck his FA Cup final farewell at Wembley.

Hiddink takes charge of Chelsea for the last time against Everton on Saturday knowing a familiar face has the ability to send him back to Russia on a low-note.

The Dutchman, who resumes his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis after the Cup Final, worked with Everton midfielder Cahill during his spell as Australia coach.

Cahill thrived under Hiddink’s management and the duo helped the Socceroos reach the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup.

Hiddink’s impact on Cahill was so strong that the 29-year-old described him as a genius.

Mention of Cahill’s name drew an equally warm response from Hiddink at his club’s pre-Wembley press conference this week, but the Chelsea chief knows his former player will be desperate to get one over on him at Wembley.

“I’m always a little scared when words like genius are used. I’m human and have my errors,” Hiddink said.

“But of course I know Tim from my Aussie period. It was beautiful to have him in my own squad but having him as an opponent is not nice.

“He is very determined and very decisive. Everton are very organised and he is the kind of player that can make a big impact on top of that discipline.

“He is a wonderful talent, very sharp, full of impact and dangerous around the box.”

If Hiddink can find a way to subdue Cahill, Chelsea’s chances of sending him off in style will be greatly increased, but regardless of the result on Saturday his brief reign has left him keen to sample life in the Premier League again.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is the favourite to succeed Hiddink, but, given owner Roman Abramovich’s habit of replacing managers on a whim, it would be no surprise if Chelsea are looking for another boss sooner rather than later.

Hiddink made no attempt to hide his love of the English game and he would clearly consider a return to Chelsea once his Russian commitments are over after the 2010 World Cup.

And if Chelsea didn’t want him then he admitted he would be ready to go to another top club in England.

“If I say no I won’t come back to England you will shoot me if I change my mind,” he said. “It is a very attractive league to work in and there is a lot of attention on it worldwide.

“To be at an ambitious club and work on a daily basis is attractive, I don’t deny that.

“I care very much about Chelsea and the players but you cannot say for certain what will happen. Clubs are changing. I cannot close other options.

“If I want to go to the Premier League but Chelsea say they are doing well and don’t want me, I can’t say I won’t go somewhere else. I think that is fair enough.”

Hiddink will definitely be missed by the players and his employers at Stamford Bridge. After several years as the club most fans loved to hate, Hiddink’s quiet dignity has gone some way to restoring Chelsea’s popularity.

“From my time here and abroad, where Chelsea weren’t that popular, now people are changing their minds and liking them,” he said.

“The way the team presented itself is easy to recognise; the good play, the results and doing well in the Champions League.

There’s nothing wrong with being a bad loser. You can be sad but you must have your dignity. The image of the club is very important worldwide.”

All that remains is for Hiddink to bow out by leading Chelsea to their first piece of silverware since Jose Mourinho won the 2007 FA Cup.

And he insists the Cup is not just a consolation prize after failing to land the Premier League or Champions League.

“It is recognised as one of the most beautiful cups to have in your locker. I’ll take it with me,” he said. “I will steal it!”