Hiddink appointed ambassador of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

Guus Hiddink, the legendary manager of South Korea's 2002 World Cup side, was named ambassador of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, left, and Guus Hiddink, the former national football team's head coach, pose for a photograph after the Dutchman was appointed as the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's honorary ambassador on Monday at the City Hall in central Seoul. [NEWS1]

Guss Hiddink, the manager behind the sensational semi-final run by South Korea's national football team in the 2002 FIFA World Cup on home soil, has been named as the ambassador of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.

It's the first time that the city-run orchestra has appointed an honorary ambassador. The Dutch football legend will serve in the position for five years until December 2028, representing the orchestra whose director is Dutch compatriot Jaap van Zweden.

Hiddink became an honorary citizen of Seoul in July 2002 after the World Cup in recognition of the national team's achievement that culminated in a fourth-place finish.

"The collaboration between two members representing sports and classical music will take the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to the next level,” Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]