Sporting icons - Ronald Koeman - the career & video of Dutch football superstar

 





Ronald Koeman was born on March 21, 1963, in Zaandam, Netherlands. He is a former professional football player and a successful manager. Here are his career achievements in detail:


**Playing Career:**


1. **FC Groningen (1980-1983):** Koeman began his professional playing career with FC Groningen in the Eredivisie, where he established himself as a promising young defender.


2. **Ajax (1983-1986):** He joined Ajax Amsterdam, where he won two Eredivisie titles (1984, 1985) and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1987.


3. **PSV Eindhoven (1986-1989):** Koeman moved to PSV Eindhoven, winning three Eredivisie titles (1987, 1988, 1989) and the European Cup in 1988, where he scored the winning goal in the final against Benfica.


4. **Barcelona (1989-1995):** His most successful period as a player came at FC Barcelona, where he won four La Liga titles (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994), the European Cup in 1992 (scoring the winning goal in the final), and the UEFA Super Cup (1992) and the Copa del Rey (1990). Koeman's free-kick goal in the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria is one of his most memorable moments.


5. **Feyenoord (1995-1997):** He finished his playing career at Feyenoord, where he won the KNVB Cup in 1995.


**International Career:**


Koeman also had a successful international career with the Dutch national team, earning 78 caps and scoring 14 goals. He represented the Netherlands in major tournaments, including the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup.  He was a winner in the Euros in 1988 when Netherlands beat Soviet Union 2-0 to win the Euros in style .


Ronald Koeman was known for his elegant playing style and exceptional skill as a central defender. His playing style can be characterized by several key attributes:


1. **Ball-playing Defender:** Koeman was one of the first central defenders to excel in ball distribution and playmaking from the back. He had excellent passing ability, both short and long range, which allowed him to initiate attacks from deep positions.


2. **Technical Proficiency:** Despite being a defender, Koeman possessed remarkable technical skills, including close ball control and dribbling ability. He was comfortable on the ball and was capable of carrying it forward to support the attack when needed.


3. **Dead Ball Specialist:** Koeman was renowned for his prowess in set-piece situations, particularly free-kicks. He had a powerful and accurate shot, which often resulted in him scoring goals directly from free-kicks or delivering pinpoint crosses into the box from set-piece situations.


4. **Tactical Intelligence:** Throughout his career, Koeman demonstrated excellent tactical awareness and understanding of the game. He had a knack for reading the play, positioning himself well to intercept passes, make crucial tackles, and organize the defense effectively.


5. **Leadership Qualities:** As a captain for both club and country, Koeman exhibited strong leadership qualities on and off the field. He led by example through his commitment, determination, and vocal presence, inspiring his teammates to perform at their best.


Overall, Ronald Koeman's playing style was characterized by a unique combination of technical ability, intelligence, and leadership, making him one of the most influential defenders of his generation.

 


**Managerial Career:**


1. **Vitesse (2000-2001):** Koeman started his managerial career at Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands.


2. **Ajax (2001-2005):** He then moved to manage Ajax Amsterdam, winning two Eredivisie titles (2002, 2004) and the KNVB Cup (2002).


3. **Benfica (2005-2006):** Koeman had a brief stint at Benfica in Portugal, winning the Primeira Liga title in 2005.


4. **PSV Eindhoven (2006-2007):** He returned to PSV Eindhoven as a manager, winning the Eredivisie title in 2007.


5. **Valencia (2007-2008):** Koeman later managed Valencia CF in Spain.


6. **Feyenoord (2011-2014):** He returned to Feyenoord as a manager and won the KNVB Cup in 2016.


7. **Southampton (2014-2016):** Koeman managed English club Southampton in the Premier League.


8. **Everton (2016-2017):** He then moved to Everton FC, also in the Premier League.


Throughout his career as both a player and a manager, Ronald Koeman has left a significant mark on European football, earning accolades for his contributions to the game.


Watch Koeman skills the the below video highlights 




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