Closing the generation gap

By Paul Saffer

On 25 May 1988 came a high that PSV Eindhoven have since been trying to recapture, as they defeated SL Benfica on penalties in Stuttgart to lift the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

Happy Hiddink
Their coach then was the 41-year-old Guus Hiddink. Meanwhile, a 24-year-old midfield anchorman named Paul Le Guen was coming to terms with the relegation of his club, Stade Brestois 29, from the French top division. A little under 17 years later and the two are face to face as opposing coaches, contemplating a UEFA Champions League quarter-final which is precariously poised.

Coaching odyssey
Hiddink returned to the PSV helm in 2002 after a 12-year coaching odyssey which would restore him to his spiritual home via Turkey, Spain and the Korean Republic. Back in France, Le Guen's career took an upward trajectory, and since taking up coaching in 1998 he has achieved constant success with Olympique Lyonnais.

Lyon draw
Hiddink could be said to have got one over his young counterpart last Tuesday, as a late Phillip Cocu equaliser gave PSV a 1-1 draw at the Stade Gerland home of the French champions. "We have undoubtedly taken a big step towards the semi-finals," he declared. But a man of his nous and experience will know that Wednesday's return in Eindhoven is not something to be taken lightly.

Playing career
The 58-year-old's playing career began in 1967 with De Graafschap, when Le Guen was just three. Foreshadowing his future on the sidelines, Hiddink's journey took him to PSV for the 1970/71 campaign as well as further afield to the North American Soccer League.

PSG honours
After six seasons at Brest in his native Brittany, Le Guen spent two years at FC Nantes Atlantique before his breakthrough at Paris Saint-Germain FC. In seven campaigns he won the French championship, three French Cups and the 1995/96 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, also taking his international cap tally to 17.

Contrasting experience
Of course, where the difference in experience lies is in coaching. Hiddink is completing 20 years of bench duty, having led Fenerbahçe SK, Valencia CF, the Netherlands, Real Madrid CF, Real Betis Balompié and the Korean Republic in between his PSV spells. Le Guen started out at Stade Rennais FC between 1998 and 2001, winning the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup, before joining Lyon. He is now in his third term, and looks set to complete a hat-trick of French titles.

Defensive rock
Success is not the only thing they have in common as coaches. Le Guen was a defensive rock in midfield, and has cast his teams in that image - Michael Essien and Mahamadou Diarra provide just those qualities for Lyon. Hiddink, too, is no stranger to pragmatic football with the odd flourish, as seen in transforming Korea from international also-rans to FIFA World Cup semi-finalists.

Loyal squads
Both also inspire tremendous loyalty from their players. Hiddink said his Korean side had "a powerful spirit", while Lyon goalkeeper Grégory Coupet, so concerned at recent speculation linking Le Guen with PSG, set up a players' petition pleading with him to stay. "With him we have built something special and we are afraid about going back to square one with another coach," Coupet said.

Familiar territory
Le Guen's assistant, Yves Colleu, explained: "One of his main qualities is understanding players. They know he can manage them properly." So while Le Guen may say PSV "have the advantage", his charges will certainly give their all on Wednesday. But then Hiddink is on familiar ground in tight quarter-finals, as Spain fans from 2002 will bitterly recall.