World Cup 2010 Debate: Is Guus Hiddink The Man To Revive Suffocating Elephants Of Ivory Coast?

Guus Hiddink would be the sixth coach to be hired by Ivory Coast since 2006 and each time, football fans from the West African nation expect something new and good, even when their expectations have always fallen short.

And once again, here comes a new man, carrying the hopes of millions of followers who are at the turning-point of their sporting life - whether to continue being football fans or opt for another sporting activity that may provide that passion and satisfaction which Didier Drogba-led Ivory Coast’s team has been unable to deliver, despite the inherently adequate talent in the squad.

Hiddink is no doubt an outstanding coach reputed for his knack to reorganise teams and convert minnows to warriors. His adventures in South Korea, Australia and Russia can faithfully testify.

Following Ivory Coast’s debacle at Angola 2010, which was widely ascribed by the Ivorian media to former coach Vahid Halilhodzic’s questionable game plan and choice of players, Drogba reportedly contacted Hiddink on behalf of the players to come to the rescue of the drowning team.

The country's FA president Jacques Anoma bought the idea and consulted his collaborators who gave the green light without hesitation. Although the FA is yet to confirm Hiddink’s contract, local sport newspapers have been reporting a whooping sum of $1 million as the bill of the Dutchman for a three-month World Cup engagement. The FA’s website says that amount is only a speculation.

Commencing his job as soon as possible, the Holland-born tactician will have to invoke his celestial powers to break the Elephants’ jinx of always collapsing during important matches, after bagging previous and hope-raising victories.

Hiddink inherits a team endowed with some of the best talents emanating from Europe’s top leagues, but what will distinguish him from his predecessors at the helm of Ivory Coast’s national team will be his ability to organise and exploit the best out of this bunch of superstars.

However, one of Hiddink’s major hurdles will be the indoctrination of the Elephants with a remorseless fighting spirit – an attribute many believe these European-groomed lads ought to be possessing in abundance.

Ivory Coast have evinced to fans and pundits time without number that they lack fire in the belly – the kind that is fully embedded in the mind and body of the Cameroonians, Algerians, Egyptians, etc. The Elephants seem to appear formidable before battle day, but they soon cower and crack as the encounter intensifies.

Finally, Hiddink has to address the suspected major problem of the team - clannish affiliations. Ivorian sports media speculates that the team is divided between pro-Drogba and pro-Yaya Toure of Barcelona. Mr Armand Kan, an Abidjan-based sports analyst told Goal.com that ego problem exists between these two players and it often reflects on the field of play.

One hopes Hiddink will remedy this, but how can he, considering that he already has a strong acquaintance of Drogba? Maybe demarcating work from sentiments will help.

Guus Hiddink has three months to hatch another football exploit or miracle by reforming Ivory Coast’s team and making it stand out at South Africa 2010.

Even if he doesn't lead Drogba and co. to lift the trophy next June, a repeat of South Korea’s feat in 2002 World Cup will seal his name permanently to millions of hearts in Ivory Coast and beyond.