CHELSEA INTERIM MANAGER Guus Hiddink believes Louis van Gaal and Pep Guardiola’s preferred playing styles are not suited to the Premier League.
Manchester United boss Van Gaal has endured jeers and boos from the Old Trafford crowd at times this season due to his team’s languid build-up and patient methodology.
Guardiola, meanwhile, is known for his possession-based tactics and is set to take over at Manchester City in June when his contract at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich is complete.
Hiddink — in his second tenure as a temporary coach at Stamford Bridge — believes English fans do not welcome a slow tempo, with the Dutchman claiming supporters want a more direct approach towards goal.
“They like to see also what we like to see,” Hiddink told reporters. “Which is more goals. They like to see also more play in the box.
“Of course there’s a different approach (between himself and Van Gaal) and a different view on the game. That’s obvious.”
He added: “The culture of English football is there. If managers want to break that down, the public and everyone doesn’t accept that.
“(In English football) we like to see very attractive teams, when you are passionate about football.
England likes pace and fight. That’s a style which is for England. That’s why this league is very important. No longer do you have to wake up your neighbour while he is sleeping.
“In Holland once, we looked at the figures and said we had 65 to 70 per cent possession. But there were opponents who said: ‘We don’t care how much possession you have, we have the score on our side’.
“That’s why you must not overrate the percentage of possession. It’s what you do with your possession.
Most of the teams want to have the ball but what do you do with the ball? Do you secure your way of playing or do you go, as soon as possible, on the attack.
“The latter option is the one I prefer.”
Guardiola has achieved near-unparralleled success during his time in Spain and with current club Bayern but Hiddink has warned that the former Barcelona boss will need to change his approach in the Premier League.
“I know him,” he said. “He likes to play attractive football.
(His teams) play possession in the back four with a goalie. And they play wide without having any intention to go vertical.
“But this is a country that doesn’t allow that. I think the first thought must be vertical.”
Has Pep enjoyed unparalleled success with Bayern? I know it’s hard to follow someone who won the treble, but Bayern have never looked as dangerous playing the ‘Pep’ way as they did when they tore Barca apart playing direct, fast, powerful football.
He’s been great domestically but Dortmund did sort of fall apart around the same time.
Good to see a manager posting some common sense re cultural tactics. Shame LVG is too arrogant to admit his approach doesnt work in england. Leicester have probably the lowest possession stats in the league.
Hiddinks style is working well anyway…
It’s always surprised me why Guardiola has gotten the credit for a system started by Cruyff. I remember when Guardiola decided to leave Barcelona as a player. He had trouble finding a club willing to pay what he thought he was worth. He’s always had an inflated ego.