Guus Hiddink Celebrates 80th Birthday Live on ESPN
Ronald Koeman addressed Guus Hiddink in a video message on the ESPN program Goedemorgen Eredivisie in honor of his 80th birthday. The tribute visibly moved everyone in the studio, including former player Hans Kraay Jr. Hiddink marked his milestone birthday as a guest in the ESPN studio, where the program Goedemorgen Eredivisie dedicated segments to his career. Several football figures appeared in video segments to address the retired coach, including André Ooijer, Wim Kieft, René van der Gijp, Frank and Ronald de Boer, Boudewijn Zenden, and Danny Blind.
Ronald Koeman Delivers Emotional Tribute From Spain
The current Netherlands coach won the 1988 European Cup with PSV under Hiddink and later served as his assistant with the national team in 1997 and 1998. “Happy birthday,” Koeman said in his message. “Your eightieth birthday, today. Well, wonderful. I too know, unfortunately, that it is not a given to reach this age.” Koeman’s wife, Bartina, passed away on September 16, 2026, at the age of 65. “I am very grateful that you have been important in my career as a player, but also most certainly as a trainer. Enjoy this beautiful day. I’ll have a Rioja later in the day, to your eightieth birthday.”
Iedereen houdt van Guus Hiddink ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lL2NZgVN1X
Studio Guests React to the Video Message
When the broadcast switched back to the studio, Hiddink responded simply with, “Beautiful, beautiful. Yes, beautiful.” Presenter Milan van Dongen added that he hoped the Rioja would taste good to Koeman.
Kraay grew emotional while discussing the footage on air. “I find this so far an insanely beautiful one,” Kraay said, noting that he had visited Hiddink’s son Tim in Oosterbeek earlier that week. “The grief is also very great in the family. It has such an impact.”
Hiddink validated Kraay’s reaction during the broadcast. “Why aren’t you allowed to be emotional?” Hiddink asked. He shared that his 2008 Russian national team squad had also reached out to him the previous evening, noting that those players feel constrained by current events involving Russia and Ukraine. “So you have to let that emotion go nicely,” Hiddink said.
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