Frank Rijkaard: biography, achievements and interesting facts

Frank Rijkaard - former football player, the Dutch coach. His career as a player began in 1980 and ended in 1995. He played in the following football clubs: "Ajax" (Amsterdam, Netherlands), "Sporting" (Lisbon, Portugal), "Real Zaragoza" (Spain), "Milan" (Italy). He played for the national team of the Netherlands football from 1981 to 1995. Coaching career began in 1995 as an assistant. Head coach for the first time he took in 1998, coached the national team of the Netherlands. There was also a coach of football club "Sparta" (Rotterdam, Netherlands), "Barcelona" (Spain), "Galatasaray" (Turkey) and the National Saudi Arabia national football team.

Frank Rijkaard: biography, beginning his football career

Future coach was born September 30, 1962 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. His father was a native of Suriname, and his mother - Dutch. From his childhood began to get involved in football. Somewhere on the outskirts of Amsterdam, the young Frank Rijkaard every day chasing the ball in the yard and was the best among the rest of the guys. Parents saw the child football talent, so we decided to give it to the local school football from an amateur club "DSV Amsterdam." Here he showed good results and was a true youth of a leader. The coaching staff had high hopes for the young talent. This is what happened: in 1980 he was accepted into the Amsterdam club "Ajax". The debut of a young man showed stunning technique, incredible dribbling and his powerful shot. All these factors were seen giants of Dutch football, and at the age of 19 years, Rijkaard was invited to play for the national team of the country. In September 1980, he went into the starting lineup of the national team in the Netherlands-Switzerland match. Then the Dutch managed to win with a total score of 3: 0, and Rijkaard, who plays as a central midfielder, made two assists.

Frank Rijkaard: biography and football to achieve

Rijkaard - a legend of Dutch football. For his national team, he played 73 matches, which is the fourth result in history. Dutch midfielder has a lot of awards and titles, both individual and team. He has repeatedly won the title of best football player of the year, when he performed in "Ajax" (1985 and 1987). In addition, he became the best player of "Serie A", when played in the Italian "Milan" (1992). Frank Rijkaard is a five-time champion of the Netherlands, the Cup "Champions League", "Super Cup" and many other awards club (various national and intercontinental cups). The most significant event in his career - a victory in the national team at the European Championships in 1988.

For which Frank Rijkaard football community will remember forever?

At the World Cup in 1990, the most memorable moment was the conflict between the Dutchman Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Völler German. In this skirmish players crossed the line of what is permitted and sports etiquette in general. The epicenter of the events took place at the stage of 1/8 finals, the match Netherlands-Germany (Federal Republic of Germany), when the athletes entered the fierce conflict directly on the playing field. Conflicting started a fight which resulted in Frank Rijkaard spat at Feller hair. How then claimed the Dutchman Rudi Voller allowed himself to speak abusively against him, calling "black monkey." That is why Rijkaard responded with lightning speed, pounced on the Germans with his fists. Players got on the Prevention and had to calm the chief referee and team-mates, but after a few minutes of the fight happen again.

Rijkaard again spat in Feller, but not in the hair and face. As a result, athletes were removed from the field. The scandal remembered to this day and will discuss a few more decades. Rijkaard stunned the public of its infantile brazen escapade.

Career as a coach

Frank Rijkaard has finished his playing career in 1994, and in 1995 became an assistant coach Guus Hiddink in the national team of the Netherlands. Since 1998, he began a full-fledged career coach, replacing its predecessor. In 2001, he has taken up the post of chief coach of football club "Sparta" from Rotterdam.

Football achieve Rijkaard as head coach of the Catalan "Barcelona"

Rijkaard coaching career was the most successful and notable when the Dutchman coaching the Catalan "Barcelona". Together with Rijkaard "Bars" became the champion of Spain in 2005 and 2006. In addition, the two were conquered "the Spanish Super Cup" (in 2005 and 2006) and also won the UEFA Champions League 2006. Rijkaard became the fifth man in the history of football, who managed to win the Champions League as a player and coach.

In subsequent years, Frank Rijkaard coached the Turkish "Galatasaray" (2009 - 2011) and the national team of Saudi Arabia (2011 - 2013). Dutchman married, married with two children. Also has a son and a daughter from a previous relationship.

In March 2014, Frank Rijkaard said that completes coaching career.