Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has revealed the significance of having Guus Hiddink as his right hand man for the upcoming two friendlies against New Zealand.
The Dutch maestro – who famously guided Australia past the group stage at the 2006 World Cup in Germany – was happy to help his former assistant ahead of the matches in Brisbane on Thursday and Auckland on Sunday.
In the official pre-match press conference on Wednesday, both men swapped stories about the ‘glory days’ with Hiddink at the helm.
Be it Arnold’s questionable chewing gum etiquette or how Hiddink almost replaced goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer with fellow shot-stopper Zeljko Kalac ahead of the epic penalty-shootout triumph versus Uruguay in 2005, the treasured memories were publicly celebrated.
Arnold then told the scrum of journalists how his current crop of players were immediately captivated by Hiddink when he arrived in camp.
Graham Arnold (left) and former Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink (right) have been reunited ahead of the two friendlies versus New Zealand with the World Cup looming
In 2006 with Hiddink at the helm, the Socceroos reached the final 16 at the World Cup in Germany (pictured, Jason Culina after the 1-0 defeat against eventual winners Italy)
‘There was only half-a-dozen players who walked in this morning for breakfast, and the look on their faces straightaway said enough,’ he said.
‘Those kids, who are our players now, were probably five, six to 10 years of age in 2006, and they all idolised him.’
Hiddink is filling the void for Arnold’s assistant Rene Meulensteen ,who has stayed in Europe to scout the Socceroos’ World Cup opponents.
‘Aussie Guus’ went onto speak about the mentality he admires about Australian footballers.
‘Very open-minded,’ Hiddink said. ‘They come to you. They’re not shy and that’s what I like very much.
‘They (2022 team) seem to be very fit and fresh – fit in the physical and freshness in their mind. There’s no doubt with Australians, they are always fresh in their mind.
Tim Cahill was a star at the 2006 World Cup, scoring two goals in a 3-1 win over Japan
Hiddink agreed to help Arnold out in the two matches versus the All Whites, with Rene Meulensteen in Europe scouting Australia’s World Cup opponents (pictured, the coaches in 2006)
‘I’m asked many times…what was some highlights in your (coaching) career?
‘Everyone wants to push me a bit to Chelsea or [Real] Madrid or PSV…but people, you forget one.
‘My experience with this country, with this team, with the staff, was one of my highlights. And that’s why I’m very happy to be back.’
Arnold added the players will be sponges around Hiddink, hanging off his every word.
‘The most important thing is that the mentality of the players is right, they don’t see it as a party,’ he said.
‘Guus will drive some strong messages to the players, about what he’s achieved, and what it takes to achieve success at a World Cup.’
Following the two matches versus New Zealand, Arnold will name his final 26-man squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.