Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterGuus Hiddinks place in South Korean history is assured after the Dutchman guided the nation to a remarkable fourth-place finish at the 2002 World Cup.Hiddink took over a Taegeuk Warriors side that had never progressed past the group stage at a World Cup and transformed them into one of the greatest underdog stories in the tournaments history, defeating the likes of Italy and Spain along the way.More than two decades on, Hiddink has opened up on just how extraordinary the reaction was back in South Korea, culminating in the offer of a villa on a volcanic island.How Hiddink became South Koreas favourite adopted sonThis collective affection shown towards Hiddink went far beyond football, as the former Chelsea and PSV boss admits that he was sometimes overawed by the level of adoration he received.Sometimes, I found it a bit awkward how people in South Korea looked at me and how happy they were with me, he tells FourFourTwo. They called me in Korean the Boss of Bosses. I thought, Yes, now its really enough. You may like 'An unknown number called, asking to meet at the hotel opposite my home. I thought, How does he know where I live? How did he get my number? Guus Hiddink recalls how he landed the South Korea job I told the players theyd be exempt from military service if we reached the semi-finals. They huddled together and started crying, one by one How Guus Hiddink motivated South Koreas 2002 World Cup heroes Afterwards, the Italians trashed the entire dressing room. Chairs flew through the air. I stood at a distance, arms crossed, watching. They really needed to blow off steam Guus Hiddink on South Koreas 2002 World Cup upset over Italy A newspaper also suggested a Korean name for me, and there were banners put up in the stadiums saying Hie Dung-gu for president. Some people said that I would have made a good presidential candidate if Id become naturalised. All nonsense.I was also made an honorary citizen of Seoul and offered all sorts of things. Its not polite to refuse, but I couldnt accept everything. I was offered a villa on the volcanic island of Jeju, but didnt see myself going there for a weekend if I returned to Europe.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Despite these jokes and attention, Hiddink is happy to maintain a close relationship with the country.I return to South Korea once or twice a year, he continues. Each time, Im welcomed with open arms. With the initiative of my partner, we set up the Guus Hiddink Foundation. Weve had several football pitches built in South Korea, including ones for blind children. They can play on specially adapted fields that have padded walls and balls with bells inside them. I once tried it myself, blindfolded, but I didnt move an inch.We also hoped to do something with our foundation in North Korea. Ive been there, too, and trucks with materials were already waiting, but for political reasons it didnt happen. After the 2002 World Cup, by the way, we even played a friendly against North Korea in Seoul. What to read next South Korea squad World Cup 2026: Taeguk Warriors' 26-man squad take on Czechia in tournament opener Roy Keane was the one player every country at the World Cup would have picked from our squad, so I do wonder what we could have achieved had he stayed in 2002 Matt Holland opens up on Irelands Saipan bust-up My penalty heroics against Costa Rica were a dream. Louis van Gaals biggest regret was not repeating it in the semis Tim Krul on the Netherlands World Cup 2014 shootout win That was a special moment. The night before, there was a dinner with both the South Korean and North Korean teams. There was a lot of supervision on their side or rather, security. They didnt want any of their players to run away. The game ended as a diplomatic 0-0!Hiddinks impact was not limited to just South Korea, as his quiet Dutch hometown has become an unlikely tourist destination.My birthplace, Varsseveld, in the Dutch countryside, also attracted many South Korean tourists because of the 2002 World Cup. My oldest brother, who sadly has passed away, was very commercially savvy he came up with the idea of selling little jars of soil that Id walked on.That actually went quite well. My family I grew up with five brothers followed all of my adventures closely.TOPICSSouth KoreaWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromGuus Hetterscheid
