Guus Hiddink's students' fates of destiny

When Park Hang-seo received a call from Lee Dong-jun in an apartment in Changwon telling that he would be appointed as coach of Vietnam and should schedule a trip to fly from his homeland to the Southeast Asian country, few could imagine his fate would change forever within only a year. He was ignored and struggled with a third-tier Changwon FC when he terminated his contract with the club and moved south. Vietnam wasn't better either, it struggled to gain a difficult away win over Cambodia to move second behind Jordan in the attempt to qualify for 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

It shows how much has changed. A man who had nothing to offer at the first place became a widely acknowledged national celebrity. Many Korean nationals were surprised to hear the news, and many were happy. Yet, Park Hang-seo is just one of the string of strange connection that was created by fate, destiny and history.

2002's Band of Brothers

It was June 142, 2002, when Park Hang-seo jointly celebrated with the manager of South Korean team at the time, Dutchman Guus Hiddink, after Park Ji-sung scored the decisive goal against Portugal in 70' to eliminate the Iberians from the tournament.

Park Hang-seo, standing fourth from the left of the photo, rejoiced with coach Hiddink and Park Ji-sung.

Park Hang-seo was only employed to become part of the managerial staff, as an amateurish person, in December 2000. He was there, but not alone. When introduced, Park had no English skill, and thus had to request support. Hiddink also gave basic coaching training and strongly emphasised discipline. One day, Hiddink taught Park one lesson before going to the job:

"If water overflowed to the table, what would you do?"

"Why don't we clean it? Just clean and it'll be okay."

"No, Park. Listen to me, you need to drive the water to the opposite. Don't let it overflow to you."

This lesson stunned Park Hang-seo, according to an interview with Korean writer Han June. The assistant woke up from his innocent belief to grow up more adult. But he wasn't the only man to receive this method. Two other comrades would also go on to gain fame, even more than the Korean.

One was a fellow Dutchman, Peter "Pim" Verbeek, also an assistant to coach Hiddink. He came to Korea immediately after Hiddink was hired as coach of the national side. He had spent most of his career with Sparta Rotterdam, he was born in the same city, but an early fractured injury forced him to retire at the age of 25. There, he embarked on coaching, most notably as interim coach in Feyenoord, and later in Japan as coach of Omiya Ardija for a year. Just short, he had few experiences in Asia, but nonetheless remained unknown before 2002.

One was an Iranian American, Afshin Ghotbi. Born in Tehran in 1964, he migrated to the United States at the age of 13 and thus escaped the future unrest and war with Iraq. Still, he suffered significant emotional losses when many of his old friends were sent and died in the war against Iraq. Meanwhile, the United States was yet to have a professional soccer league, thus he only played amateur and semi-professional level, before established an academy responsible on building soccer talents like Panayotis Venegas and John O'Brien. His love for the sport never faded, though, and he joined the United States soccer team serving as consultant and technical advisor in 1997 under manager Steve Sampson. The United States had just created a professional league a year ago, and he utilised some of the few American players like Thomas Dooley, Frank Hejduk, Predrag Radosavljević, Brad Friedel, Jeff Agoos, Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride on the country's successful qualification for 1998 World Cup. In that World Cup, the United States was out in humiliation with all three group losses, but one game was special for Afshin: the match between the United States and Iran, the country of Afshin's birth.

Afshin Ghotbi and Pim Verbeek.

So, working with Mr. Park was a Dutchman with some Asian apprehension, and an American who worked in the World Cup. Whatever where he stood, Park Hang-seo appeared inferior to the Dutchman and the American.

But in 2000, they assembled under same one man: Guus Hiddink. Because Park Hang-seo is a Korean, he had to work harder while Verbeek and Ghotbi could easily communicate with the manager in English. In memoir of Verbeek, he described Park as a hard-working man. Of course, Park Hang-seo wasn't alone, one of his compatriots, Jung Hae-seong, also joined the squad of staff, and later would also enter Vietnam to find destiny like Park.

Afshin Ghotbi, Pim Verbeek and Park Hang-seo's relationship overall was described as excellent, because despite difficulties, they shared the same goal and vision. The trio wanted to bring South Korea to attention, the Taeguk Tigers had been under shadow in the world's football map for too long, even having appeared in every World Cup since 1986. Japan's reaching of 1998 World Cup raised alarm about potential Japanese displacement of South Korea's football status - Japan has been Korea's long adversary.

Fast forward to early July 2002, South Korea, though with a lot of controversies, reached the semi-finals, only guaranteed the deep of their fondness. One thing for sure, regardless of what happened in and out, Ghotbi, Park and Verbeek would never abandon their duty nor respect. Coach Hiddink instructed Park to provide morale. Verbeek translated the information. Ghotbi had the job to analyze the opponent. South Korea won fourth place aftermath and Hiddink was hailed national hero of Korea. Afshin Ghotbi and Pim Verbeek also had their last moments at least in glory. Park Hang-seo took a moment to speak to the public in Seoul when the national team paraded.

Divided, yet coincidence

Three months later, October 10, 2002, South Korea had a chance to win the historic gold medal at the Asian Games, when they faced Iran. This time, Park Hang-seo was coach. But since the Korean FA poured resources for the World Cup, they didn't have enough time to prepare for the Asian Games, and Park was not paid a single penny. Still, the  South Koreans remained formidable, the side reached the semi-finals, but in the decisive penalty shootout, Lee Young-pyo missed one, while Iran missed none. The Koreans suffered a 3-5 heartbreak loss, then gained a consolation 3-0 bronze medal win over Thailand as an apology. Park was sacked and he had to move between teams since.

What about Hiddink's other apprentices, Ghotbi and Verbeek?

Afshin stayed in Korea to become assistant for Suwon Bluewings from 2002-2004, while Verbeek ventured around the world for short-term coaching basis. Later, Afshin became assistant to American MLS team Los Angeles Galaxy, but his love for Korea called him to return, for the second time as assistant to another Dutchman, Dick Advocaat. Advocaat's 2006 World Cup was painful, he guided the Koreans to Germany but South Korea fell bitterly to the hand of Switzerland in the final game, a game South Korea must win but could not overcome a solid Swiss defense, despite having drawn France and defeated debutant Togo. Advocaat was sacked, but Ghotbi stayed behind and was quick to hear back a call from an old friend.

"Peter! Long not see!"

"Afshin? I can't believe we are reunited here!"

The assistants of 2002 World Cup now worked again as part of the South Korean side prepared for the 2007 Asian Cup held in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Only this time, Verbeek became official coach of South Korea, and Ghotbi official assistant.

Under Verbeek's guidance however, South Korea's difficulties in the Asian Cup unravelled. The Koreans struggled in the group stage composing host Indonesia, and Arab rivals Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and only gained four points, including one shock defeat to Bahrain in Gelora Bung Karno that almost knocked the Koreans out. Fortunately, South Korea marched on and won bronze, but Verbeek was strongly criticised for his negative approach, especially in the knockout phase when South Korea had to rely on penalty shootouts, ultimately losing the chance to win the title to Iraq, the eventual Asian champions. The time no longer sided with the duo, and they left South Korea post-2007 Asian Cup.

Kang Min-soo (22, red) fighting for ball with Maman Abdulrahman (5, white) in 2007 Asian Cup. South Korea won 1-0 and progressed to the last eight.

One of them would never return to Korea.

When Verbeek and Ghotbi tried unsuccessfully reshaping South Korean football, Park Hang-seo switched his coaching career to Gyeongnam, Chunnam and Sangju, before came to Changwon, winning minor trophies.

Verbeek then sought for gold in Australia, signing a four-year contract and led the national team's golden generation, nurtured by the old boss Hiddink. Australia qualified for 2010 World Cup and 2011 Asian Cup under his command, but his World Cup stink in South Africa ended in tragedy, Australia didn't move out from the group stage due to the heavy-handed 0-4 defeat to Germany despite their late 2-1 win over Serbia, he was fired aftermath. He fled to Africa to become coach of U-23 Morocco, nurturing group of talents that would go on representing Morocco's football renaissance, notably Noureddine "Nordin" Amrabat and Yassine Bounou, helping the team to qualify for Olympics in 2012, thus he was close to become official boss of the senior Moroccan side. He was not signed, the Moroccans opted for Hervé Renard instead. Again, he moved to Oman and assigned himself his last position as coach of this country's national side. Oman qualified for 2019 Asian Cup, where Verbeek finally had his best honour: winning the Gulf Cup in 2018, giving Oman the first taste in the knockout phase, the Omanis never came to this stage in three previous participation. Oman celebrated and he became the country's icon.

Pim Verbeek as coach of Oman in 2019 Asian Cup.

But time was cruel. His deteriorating health forced him to leave the post and returned to Rotterdam for his medical treatment. He already showed sign of age: losing the hair, and an aging appearance, as well as carrying glasses, which was never done before.

He never woke up again. On 28 November 2019, he left the world peacefully in the wind of Amsterdam, where he found himself his final moment in his deathbed, asking if he had any other journeys to continue.

About Afshin Ghotbi, the Iranian American was appointed coach of Iranian powerhouse Persepolis, and won the 2008 Pro League. His American nationality however made him under-siege, due to the theocratic nature of the Iranian regime. The Iranian mullahs could not accept Ghotbi being successful since the regime was engaging in full-time anti-American rhetorics. He was fired despite this win, and then spinned around Dubai for a year, during this time he accused the Iranian regime of conspiring against him due to his American citizenship. His popularity nevertheless accelerated when he was almost appointed coach of the Iranian side, twice. Luck didn't deny him for a third, when internal fighting within the federation forced Mohammad Mayeli Kohan to resign after two weeks replacing former legend Ali Daei.

Becoming the first American to coach Iran, Ghotbi continued to face conspiracies against him. He was instrumental on stabilising an unstable Iran, but his team failed to qualify for South Africa 2010, thus lost the chance to meet Verbeek. Yet his willingness to help Iranian players overcame all the hardship, and the federation had renewed contract in order to give him more time. Iran eventually qualified for 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar, and good friendlies' results seemed giving Iran potential Asian Cup reconquest since 1976. Yet when optimism rose, conspiracies hurt Ghotbi and Iran was out in the last eight, losing to South Korea after extra-time. Using the pretext of an American threat to Iran, Ghotbi was kicked out at the helm. From this point, he ventured mostly in East and Southeast Asia, only returned to Iran once to coach Foolad for a year. Now, he is in China, coaching Cangzhou.

Afshin Ghotbi coaching Iran in 2011 Asian Cup.

Make no mistake, the coincidence in both Verbeek and Ghotbi's management is their connection to Asia. Ghotbi is natural one, but Verbeek was by fate. They left marks, greatly, in nations they stepped in. Maybe we could coin out that they were Guus Hiddink's apprentives. But we could not ignore their contributions. For example, Verbeek's Australia and South Korea did achieve good results, though it might not be at full expectation. Verbeek also did a good job transforming the Omani side to become more competitive, as well as made up future key players for Moroccan football. Then, talk about Afshin Ghotbi, he helped Japanese club Shimizu S-Pulse to almost win the J.League Cup, outside his achievement with Persepolis, or returning Chinese side Cangzhou to the Chinese Super League in 2019. They're not perfect, but they did the best. They bought to Asians a sense of beautiful and pragmatic football. It was Ghotbi who encouraged the use of more naturalised Iranians into the Iranian squad, eventually transcended to the hand of Carlos Queiroz.

Card now on Park Hang-seo

Ever since Park Hang-seo embarked on coaching career, his profile also lagged behind Pim Verbeek and Afshin Ghotbi. He only coached clubs in South Korea, little prospect to be seen. So when he left for Vietnam, few people paid attention. Vietnam didn't even have similar records like South Korea, Iran, Australia, the United States, Morocco and Oman.

He has now turned the tie and is revered by many Vietnamese, even when results do not always favour Vietnam. The country has gone a long run from being one of Asia's weakest to now one of Asia's brightest prospects, shocked even Thailand, traditionally seen as Southeast Asia's big brother. The 2019 Asian Cup witnessed Vietnam being the only team from Southeast Asia in the last eight or how it finished runners-up in 2018 U-23 Asian Cup explained just that.

Park Hang-seo has transformed Vietnamese national team and its players' mindsets.

As COVID-19 is still ravaging the world, Vietnam is one of the few rare lights and thus its players are still able to play football, albeit under strict limitation. But a long-term process is yet to be seen, just like how Vietnam's status affected its stand. Park Hang-seo faces the task like that.

Park Hang-seo understood it well. He never thinks about competing against Peter Verbeek or Afshin Ghotbi for fame. He knew he had never been like them. He has to perfect himself, every years. And fate unsurprisingly chose Vietnam as his destination. But so are Verbeek and Ghotbi.

It seems like, for Pim Verbeek, he came to South Korea, Australia, Oman and Morocco to upgrade these national teams to become stronger - suited with what a Dutch can do, and also the Netherlands have a strong football tradition. For Afshin Ghotbi, he assisted the United States, South Korea, ventured to Iran and East Asia, so he can become a momentum - like how an American can do, the United States has only begun to gain relevance in a sport they previously had no interests, now recognised a more stern opponent and frequent World Cup participant.

And for Park Hang-seo?

He's the man of surprises, but strong values, ethics and a realist. He gives Vietnamese joys and hopes after depression. But he also reminds that, everything is not forever, unless working hard. Reward is not free. Like cooking, you need to have ingredients, skills, ethics, plus some small lucks. The same for football. That's what Mr. Park wanted for Vietnam.

Summary

Before ending the post, I would recite Johan Cruyff's quote,

"Every disadvantage has its advantage."

Park Hang-seo's disadvantage is low-profile and lacking major contributions compared to Afshin Ghotbi or the late Pim Verbeek. But when he turns into an advantage by galvanizing a demoralised Vietnamese team, he proved that, he still has his dignity, magic and sensibility.

Vietnam may not be like Australia, the United States, Iran, Oman, Morocco or South Korea. Park Hang-seo may never be like Pim or Afshin. But willingness, determination and desire to purify will be the strongest elements to create a successful football culture. Park Hang-seo is changing Vietnamese football, and telling where it should go, fix and reform. A new Vietnamese football machine is being built, and fruits bear.

Don't get me wrong. I am not praising Mr. Park. It is how reality become a driving force for coach Park. If he was just as lame as Raymond Domenech, nobody would mind about him. Again, it is too soon to make a complete report about Mr. Park, but I think it's up for us to give a thumb up for Park Hang-seo, for his dedication and restless activities. We may possibly never know how the future go, but in Buddhism, the causal law exists - who did the good deeds, will ascend to Heaven or a good life; the same opposite for bad deeds.

If Park Hang-seo can bring Vietnam to 2022 World Cup (which maybe a bit Orwellian), the whole football-mad country will be even happier.