Ronald Koeman

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Ronald Koeman (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈroːnɑlt ˈkumɑn] (listen); born 21 March 1963) is a Dutch professional football manager and former player, who is the current head coach of La Liga club Barcelona. He is the younger brother of his former international teammate Erwin Koeman and the son of former Dutch international Martin Koeman. Koeman was capable of playing both as a defender and as a midfielder; he frequently played as a sweeper, although he was equally known for his goalscoring, long–range shooting, and accuracy from free kicks and penalties.

Born in Zaandam, Koeman began his career at FC Groningen before transferring to the Netherlands' most successful club Ajax, where he won the national Eredivise title in 1984–85. He then joined Ajax's rivals PSV, winning three consecutive Eredivisie titles (1986–871987–88 and 1988–89) and the European Cup in 1988. Ronald Koeman is one of five European players to ever win a Treble with their club and a cup with their national team in the same year. The other four players are his teammates Hans van BreukelenBerry van AerleGerald Vanenburg and Wim Kieft. In 1989, Koeman moved to Barcelona and became part of Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team", helping the club win La Liga four years in a row between 1991 and 1994, and the European Cup, where he scored the winning goal of the final against Sampdoria in 1992.

At international level, Koeman was one of the stars of the Netherlands national team, alongside Marco van BastenRuud GullitFrank Rijkaard and Dennis Bergkamp. During his career with the Netherlands, Koeman won UEFA Euro 1988 and played at the UEFA Euro 19921990 and 1994 FIFA World Cupscaptaining the team at the latter.

As a head coach, Koeman has won three Eredivisie titles: twice with Ajax (2001–02 and 2003–04) and once with PSV (2006–07). He is the only individual to have both played for and managed the "Big Three" of Dutch football: Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord.[3] Abroad, he had spells in Portugal with Benfica and Spain with Valencia, coaching Los Che to victory in the 2007–08 Copa del Rey,[4] and managed Premier League clubs Southampton and Everton in the 2010s. He was the manager of the Netherlands national team between 2018 and 2020. In August 2020, he was appointed as the manager of Barcelona following the departure of Quique Setién.

Contents

Club career[edit]

Netherlands[edit]

Koeman started his professional career at FC Groningen, making his debut at the age of 17 years and 183 days in a 2–0 win over NEC in the Eredivisie. This made him the third-youngest player in the club's history, after Piet Wildschut and Bert de Voogt.[5] Thirty-three goals from ninety appearances in his three seasons at the club saw the young defender called up by the Netherlands national team and earn a transfer to Eredivisie champions Ajax. After failing to defend their title in Koeman's first season at the club, the Amsterdam team regained the championship in 1984–85. The following season saw Johan Cruyff take over as Ajax head coach and, despite scoring 120 goals in 34 Eredivisie matches and winning the KNVB Cupde Godenzonen could only finish second in the league behind rivals PSV.

Koeman celebrating the equalizer with Eric Gerets and Edward Linskens in the 1987–88 European Cup semi-final at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid

In the summer of 1986, Koeman controversially transferred to Eindhoven to play for Hans Kraay's champions. Towards the end of the 1986–87 season, Kraay resigned and was replaced by Guus Hiddink, under the management of whom PSV overtook league leaders Ajax in the final weeks of the season to defend their league title. Koeman enjoyed further success with Hiddink and PSV in the following seasons, as the team also won the 1987–88 and 1988–89 Eredivisie titles and the club's first, and to date only, European Cup against Benfica in Stuttgart on 25 May 1988. PSV had also won the KNVB Cup in both 1988 and 1989, making their successes in the two years trebles and doubles respectively. In his three seasons at PSV, Koeman scored 51 goals in 98 league appearances, averaging more than one goal every two matches. During 1987–88, he recorded the highest scoring season of his club career, with 21 goals scored in the league.[6]

Barcelona[edit]

In 1989, Koeman re-joined his former Ajax coach Johan Cruyff at Barcelona, where he became a member of the famous "Dream Team". During his first season at the club, Barcelona won the Copa del Rey, beating Real Madrid 2–0 in the final.[7] Along with players such as Hristo StoichkovRomárioPep Guardiola and Michael Laudrup, Koeman helped the club win La Liga four years in a row from 1991 to 1994. In 1992, he scored the only goal of the European Cup Final against Sampdoria at Wembley Stadium to make Barça European Champion for the first time in its history.[8] With this, he became the first player to score in two consecutive finals of different European competitions, having scored Barcelona's consolation goal against Manchester United in the 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup Final.

Koeman was also known for his powerful right-footed free kicks and deadball ability where he scored many vital goals for the team.[9] One of his best strikes in La Liga came in the memorable 5–0 win over Real Madrid in 1994, with his bending free kick making the scoreline 2–0.[10] Koeman was joint-top scorer with eight goals in the 1993–94 UEFA Champions League, in which Barcelona were beaten in the final by Milan.

His nicknames while playing for Barcelona were Tintin, due to his physical similarity with Hergé's fictional character, and Floquet de Neu, after the famous albino gorilla in the Barcelona Zoo.[11]

Return to the Netherlands and retirement[edit]

After six years and over 200 appearances at Barcelona, Koeman left Spain to return to the Netherlands in 1995. In joining Feyenoord, he became one of the few players to represent all of Dutch football's "Big Three". Koeman spent two seasons in Rotterdam, captaining Feyenoord to third- and second-place finishes in the Eredivisie respectively.

Koeman ended his career with 193 league goals from 533 matches (ahead of Daniel Passarella, who netted 182 goals in 556 matches) during his career, more than any other defender in the history of football.[12]

International career[edit]

Ronald together with Frank Rijkaard (left), Erwin (second from right) and Ruud Gullit (right) in the Dutch national team in 1983

In April 1983, Koeman debuted for the Netherlands national team in a 3–0 friendly loss to Sweden in Utrecht. This match also marked the first Oranje appearance for his elder brother Erwin. Ronald's first international goal came in September of the same year, in a 3–0 victory of Iceland at Groningen's Oosterpark Stadion.

With the Netherlands unable to qualify for UEFA Euro 1984 and the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Koeman's tournament debut came at Euro 1988 in West Germany, where Rinus Michels' team defeated the hosts at the semi-final stage, with Koeman scoring a crucial penalty to equalize and make it 1–1. After this match, Koeman provocatively pretended to wipe his backside with the shirt of Olaf Thon in front of the home supporters.[13] In the final, the Netherlands defeated the Soviet Union 2–0 at Munich's Olympiastadion to win the nation's only major international trophy. This completed Koeman's extraordinary 1988 after winning the treble with PSV.[a][14] Both Koeman and his central defensive partner Frank Rijkaard were named in UEFA's Team of the Tournament.

Koeman went on to represent his nation at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, as well as Euro 1992, and picked up a total of 78 caps for the Netherlands, scoring 14 goals.

Managerial career[edit]

Early years[edit]

Having retired as a player after his stint with Feyenoord, Koeman became a member of the coaching staff of Guus Hiddink during the 1998 World Cup along with Johan Neeskens and Frank Rijkaard. After the tournament, Koeman was appointed the assistant coach of Barcelona, and in 2000, he was handed his first managerial job as the head coach of Vitesse, where he led the team to a UEFA Cup spot on a relatively limited budget.

Ajax[edit]

Koeman was appointed the manager of Ajax in 2001. Ajax's fortunes suffered a steady decline after Koeman got off to a successful start at the Amsterdam Arena, winning a domestic double in 2001–02. Despite regaining the title in 2003–04, Ajax had fallen eight points behind rivals PSV in the Eredivisie. This situation, coupled with Ajax being knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Auxerre, 3–2 on aggregate, led Koeman to resign the following day on 25 February 2005.[15]

Benfica[edit]

Koeman bounced back quickly from a disappointing end to his reign at Ajax in February 2005, taking up the vacant position at Portuguese champions Benfica following the departure of legendary Italian Giovanni Trapattoni. In Benfica, against whom he won the 1988 European Cup Final as a player with PSV, Koeman only won the Portuguese Super Cup; the team finished the Portuguese League in third place (behind rivals Porto and Sporting CP) and was knocked out of the Taça de Portugal in the quarter-finals (after losing to Vitória de Guimarães). This, along with an offer from PSV, sufficed for the manager to leave one year before the end of his contract. Under Koeman Benfica did reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League; eliminating Manchester United in the final game of the group stage and Liverpool in the first knockout stage,[16][17] before losing to Barcelona, who ended up winning the trophy.

PSV[edit]

In the 2006–07 season, Koeman served as head coach of PSV, as successor to Guus Hiddink. PSV dominated the first season half, keeping competitors AZ and Ajax at a reasonable distance, and PSV seemed almost destined to become champions again. PSV, however, suffered in the second half of the season, also because of injuries of players Jefferson FarfánAlex and Ibrahim Afellay, obtaining only 19 out 39 possible points.[18] AZ and Ajax regained their momentum, making for a close finish, with all three teams tied at 72 points before the last competition day. AZ played struggling Excelsior in their final match, but did not manage to win. Ajax played at Willem II, but did not score enough goals; it was PSV eventually who triumphed, winning at home 5–1 against Vitesse Arnhem, and thereby becoming Eredivisie champions, one goal ahead of Ajax.

For the second consecutive season he guided a team to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, this time defeating another English club in the shape of Arsenal in the first knockout stage,[19] before losing to Liverpool in the quarter-finals.[20]

Valencia[edit]

On 31 October 2007, Koeman agreed to be the new coach of Valencia after the sacking of Quique Sánchez Flores, starting on 5 November 2007.[21] With Valencia, he won the 2007–08 Copa del Rey, a tournament he previously won as a player with Barcelona. This was Valencia's first Copa del Rey since 1999.[22] The remainder of his tenure at Valencia would prove disappointing: the team would slump to 15th in the league, only two points above the relegation zone, as well as finishing bottom of their Champions League group. A 5–1 defeat by Athletic Bilbao would prove the final straw for Koeman's time with Valencia. He was sacked the following day, on 21 April 2008.[22]

Koeman with Feyenoord

AZ[edit]

Koeman was appointed manager of AZ on 18 May 2009,[23] after Louis van Gaal, who won the 2008–09 Eredivisie with AZ, joined Bayern Munich. On 5 December 2009, AZ announced that Koeman no longer was in charge of AZ, after losing 7 of the first 16 games in the Dutch competition.[24]

Feyenoord[edit]

On 21 July 2011, Koeman was appointed manager of Feyenoord, signing a one-year contract with the Dutch club as replacement for outgoing trainer Mario Been.[25] Through this appointment, Koeman has notably become the first man ever to serve as both player and head coach at all teams of the so-called "traditional big three" of Dutch football – Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV.[26] Moreover, he has completed this in the same order as player and as manager. At the beginning of 2012, it was announced that his contract was extended. In February 2014, Koeman announced that he would leave his position at Feyenoord at the end of the 2013–14 season to pursue other ambitions.[27]

Southampton[edit]

Koeman as manager of Southampton in September 2014

In June 2014, Koeman was announced as the replacement for Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino, signing a three-year deal with the club. His brother Erwin was appointed assistant manager.[28]

In his first six Premier League games in charge of the club, Koeman managed four wins, a draw and a defeat, propelling Southampton to second place in the league standings and resulting in Koeman being named Premier League Manager of the Month for September.[29][30] In January 2015, Southampton won all three of their matches, including a first win at Manchester United since 1988, and Koeman was again named Manager of the Month.[31] He led Southampton to a seventh-place finish at the end of the season.[32]

Koeman won his third Premier League Manager of the Month for January 2016,[33] on the way to Southampton's highest ever Premier League finish, sixth place, highest ever Premier League points total, 63, and qualification for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.[34]

Everton[edit]

On 14 June 2016, Koeman was confirmed as manager of Everton, signing a three-year contract.[35] His brother was again hired as his assistant.[36] In his first season, Koeman led Everton to qualification for the Europa League.[37]

Prior to the 2017–18 season, Koeman was given the largest budget in Everton's history to spend on new players.[38] An estimated £150 million was spent on new players, but Koeman admitted that he had not bought a centre forward to replace Romelu Lukaku, the previous season's squad top scorer who had been sold to Manchester United.[39] Koeman was sacked by the club on 23 October 2017, after his side fell into the relegation zone, following a 5–2 home defeat against Arsenal the previous day.[40][41] Koeman later stated his belief that the failure to sign Olivier Giroud in the summer transfer window contributed to his sacking.[42]

Netherlands[edit]

On 6 February 2018, Koeman was appointed manager of the Netherlands national football team on a four-and-half-year contract up to and including the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He replaced Dirk Advocaat who resigned after failing to guide the Netherlands to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[43]

On 9 June 2019, Netherlands finished runners-up in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League after a 1–0 defeat against Portugal in the final.[44]

On 19 August 2020, Koeman left the national team to become manager of FC Barcelona. Under his management, Netherlands qualified for a final tournament, UEFA EURO 2021, for the first time since 2014 after missing out on the UEFA EURO 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[45]

Barcelona[edit]

On 19 August 2020, Koeman was announced as the new manager of Barcelona on a two-year contract until 30 June 2022.[46] He took over after Quique Setién had been dismissed from the position two days earlier,[47] following an 8–2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.[48]

Style of play[edit]

A composed player on the ball, Koeman was capable of being deployed both as a defender and as a midfielder, and he frequently played as a sweeper, due to his vision and his ability on the ball.[49] Regarded as one of the best and most prolific attacking central defenders of all time, due to his eye for goal,[50] Koeman was renowned for his long-range passing, as well as his shooting accuracy and power from distance, especially on free kicks; is the top scoring defender in world football,[12][51] and Barcelona's top scoring defender.[52] A versatile set piece specialist, Koeman was nicknamed the King of free kicks, and was capable of striking the ball with power from long range free kicks, or curling shots on goal from close range;[53][54][51] he was also an accurate penalty kick taker.[51] Regarding his unique run-up and approach to taking free kicks and penalties, Rob Smyth of The Guardian commented in 2009: "We tend to associate Koeman with that particular type of free-kick, where he would lace the ball in a manner that was paradoxically sledgehammer rather than silk, yet if anything he was more adept at the seductive, shorter-range curler. As with his penalties, when he would charge towards the ball like a man with murder in mind only to tap it gently into the net, part of the skill was in the deception. With Koeman, there was more than one way to skin a defensive wall; as all Englishmen know well, he could flippin' flip one as well."[54]

Records[edit]

Koeman is the top scoring defender in world football,[12] and Barcelona's top scoring defender, with 90 goals in all competitions.[52] An accurate free kick and penalty kick taker, Koeman was nicknamed the King of free kicks throughout his playing career, and is Barcelona's second-highest goalscorer from free kicks, behind only Lionel Messi, with 26 goals from set pieces in all competitions;[53][55] he is also Barcelona's second-highest scorer from penalties in La Liga, behind Messi once again, with 46 goals from spot kicks, and the highest scoring defender in La Liga from penalties.[52][56] With 67 goals, he is the second most prolific defender in La Liga history, behind Sergio Ramos.[57] He currently holds the record for 25 consecutive successful penalty conversions in La Liga.[58]

Personal life[edit]

Ronald is the younger brother of Erwin, who was the head coach of Oman, being the first set of brothers to take charge of two different national teams at the same time.[59]

He is married to Bartina.[60] Their son, Ronald Koeman Jr., is a professional goalkeeper for FC Oss in the Eerste Divisie.[61]

Koeman is an ambassador for the anti-smoking campaign Kick it with Help. He said that the cancer diagnoses of his wife and his friend Johan Cruyff motivated him to join the campaign.[60]

Career statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

[62][63][64][65][66]

SeasonClubLeagueCupSuper CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNetherlandsLeagueKNVB CupSuper CupEuropeOther[n 1]Total1980–81GroningenEredivisie24432–––2761981–82331410–––34151982–83331440–––37141983–84Ajax32742–20–3891984–8530921–43–36131985–8632761–20–4081986–87PSV341633–20–39191987–88322164–81–46261988–89321461–42314518Total2821073514—22631342128SpainLeagueCopa del ReySupercopaEuropeOther[n 2]Total1989–90BarcelonaLa Liga361474–411048191990–91216420074–32121991–9235162010111–49171992–9333113010303043111993–9435112010128–50191994–95329101081–4210Total192671964045154026488NetherlandsLeagueKNVB CupSuper CupEuropeOtherTotal1995–96FeyenoordEredivisie3110311073–42141996–9730920–50–379Total61195110123--7923Career total535193592150792471685239

International[edit]

[67]

Netherlands national teamYearAppsGoals19836119841019851019866019877219881011989831990931991401992120199352199492Total7814

International goals[edit]

showKoeman – goals for Netherlands[68]

Managerial statistics[edit]

As of match played 19 August 2020[62][69]

Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordGWDLGFGAGDWin %Vitesse1 January 20002 December 20017940231613277+5550.63Ajax3 December 200125 February 2005151943027322147+17562.25Benfica8 June 20058 May 2006492711116438+2655.10PSV1 July 200631 October 20076338111411854+6460.32Valencia5 November 200721 April 200834119143847−932.35AZ18 May 20095 December 20092411494430+1445.83Feyenoord21 July 201131 May 2014118672328237137+10056.78Southampton16 June 201414 June 20169144173014093+4748.35Everton14 June 201623 October 2017582414208574+1141.38Netherlands6 February 201818 August 20202011544318+2555.00Barcelona19 August 2020Present000000+0—Total6873671471731,223715+50853.42

Honours[edit]

Player[edit]

Ajax

PSV

Barcelona

Netherlands

Individual

Manager[edit]

Ajax

Benfica

PSV

Valencia

AZ

  • Johan Cruyff Shield: 2009

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