RUSSIA’S FAREWELL TO GUUS HIDDINK IN BUDAPEST

Wednesday evening in Budapest, Guus Hiddink's long farewell as Russia manager takes a giant step forward as his forces face Hungary in a friendly.


Since the disastrous loss to Slovenia in Maribor past November, there have considerable changes within the Russian football front. Shortly after it was announced Mr. Hiddink's contract would not be renewed, newly appointed Russian Football Union president Sergey Fursenko wasted no time, saying, "our top priority is to boost the development of youth football". Heading forward into Euro 2012 it is clear that the RFU is rightfully taking an approach of maximizing sporting returns through the building of strong foundation, to which peak performance will be achieved within a two-to-three quadrennial term.

Long-term vision aside, there remains many unanswered questions going forward, chiefly who precisely will be handed the enormous ask of building the large infrastructure. Rumours run wild of the high profile position with luminaries such Valeriy Gazzaev, Yuriy Semin and Oleg Romantsev mentioned, along with Rubin Kazan mastermind Kurban Berdyev. With the Euro 2012 qualification set to begin in only five months, a decision is expected shortly to ensure a seamless transition to the new administration.

Echoing Roman Pavlyuchenko's comments that Wednesday's match is a "farewell ceremony of Guus", Russia needs to be in top form or the celebration will turn to be an unjust ending to Mr. Hiddink’s extraordinary tenure in-charge. Hungary is a very capable side that saw a late stumble with home and away losses to Portugal cost them a playoff bid for the World Cup. Despite those recent failings Hungary has a number of noteworthy attacking talents, including Zenit Saint Petersburg's Szabolcs Huszti and Tamás Hajnal of Borussia Dortmund and Russia will need to be pay great heed to their opposition to ensure the "farewell ceremony" is the start to the move upwards.