Hiddink, Turkey part ways after missing Euros
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Shanghai Daily, November 17, 2011
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The Turkish football federation (TFF) on 16 November 2011 announced that they had parted ways with coach Guus Hiddink after the side failed to advance to the Euro 2012 finals. |
Guus Hiddink is available again after parting ways with the Turkish football federation yesterday following Turkey's failure to quality for next year's European Championship.
The federation said it had reached a mutual agreement with the 65-year-old Dutch coach to end the contract that was due to expire next summer.
"We thank Guus Hiddink for services rendered during his term and wish him a healthy and happy life," the federation said.
Turkey managed to hold Croatia to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of the Euro 2012 playoffs on Tuesday, but Croatia claimed a place in the final tournament 3-0 on aggregate.
After the match, Hiddink indicated he was likely to stand down.
"I think this is my last match with this team, there is a high probability of that," Hiddink said.
Turkish media reported that Hiddink had bid farewell to the players in Zagreb and did not return to Istanbul with the team.
The Turkish federation did not say who was expected to replace Hiddink, who was appointed in 2010, but Belediyespor coach Abdullah Avci is considered to be a top contender for the post.
After the first leg against Croatia, Atletico Madrid forward Arda Turan lambasted Hiddink's tactics, saying they invited defeat and accused Hiddink of being too timid and not believing in his players.
Hiddink told reporters the lack of support and opportunities for young players at clubs lay at the heart of Turkey's inconsistency on the big stage and its failure to reach Euro 2012.
He criticized an "inefficient system" depriving young players of a chance to develop.
