Soccer-Cup win gives Hiddink bitter-sweet exit

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON, May 30 (Reuters) - Guus Hiddink signed off from his brief stint as Chelsea manager with the joy of leading the team to glory in Saturday's FA Cup final but with a twinge of regret that he had missed out on the Champions League.

Hiddink, who returns to his regular job as coach of the Russian national side on Monday, was asked by reporters if the 2-1 win over Everton had been the perfect send-off.

"It would have been a bit more perfect it we had been somewhere a few days ago," he replied. "That is the only regret I have, not playing Manchester United. I would have loved to play them."

Chelsea were beaten in the Champions League semi-finals by Barcelona who went on to defeat United in the final.

It was almost two hours after fulltime when the Dutchman emerged for his media conference, having spent time dancing and celebrating with the Chelsea players and staff.

"It was emotional in the dressing room, everyone was in there," he said, adding that even owner Roman Abramovich had joined in the fun.

"Then I gathered the players and the technical staff in a next door room and they had a five-minute speech from me when I thanked them in a very emotional way for how we have worked together."

Hiddink took over from Luiz Felipe Scolari in February with Chelsea struggling for confidence and the fans showing signs of frustration. He wasted little time in establishing a new regime at the club, with a stricter approach to training, fitness timekeeping and even dress.