RIP JOHAN NEESKENS
Johann Neeskens received with Coach Frank Rijkaard the IFFHS Award 2006.
Former footballing great Johan Neeskens died on Monday at the age of 73.
Neeskens, who played both in midfield and at the back, played for several clubs between 1968 and 1991. He started his career with RCH and left for Ajax Amsterdam in 1970.
At Ajax, Neeskens grew into one of the best Dutch players of his time, winning the Eredivisie twice, the KNVB Cup twice, the European Cup three times, and the European Super Cup twice. In 1974, Neeskens left for FC Barcelona,with whom he won the European Cup Winners' Cup and the Copa del Rey.
After Barcelona, Neeskens played for New York Cosmos (USA), FC Groningen, South Florida Sun (USA), Kansas City Comets (USA), FC Lowenbrau (USA), FC Baar (Zwi) and FC Zug (Zwi).
After his career, Neeskens worked as a coach in both Dutch and foreign football. After his first spell as a trainer in Switzerland, he moved to Germany to coach Oberliga team FC Singen 04.
Between 1996 and 2000, the former international was assistant national team coach with the Dutch team under Guus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard.
Between 2000 and 2004, Neeskens was head coach of NEC, after which he was an assistant for FC Barcelona, Australia and Galatasaray. He completed his last job as coach of Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa between 2011 and 2012.
Neeskens made 79 appearances for Netherlands and was a mainstay in the Oranje sides that reached the World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978.
Johan Neeskens scored the first goal in the 1974 World Cup final against West Germany.
At the 1974 World Cup, Neeskens finished second in the top scorers' list with five goals, which won him the Silver Boot. The Netherlands lost in the final of that tournament to West Germany (2-1). Four years later, Argentina outlasted the Netherlands in the final as well.
The 1974 and 1978 teams are often seen as the 'golden generation' of Dutch football, which then had players like Johan Cruijff, Johnny Rep, Ruud Krol and Willem van Hanegem in its ranks.
After his career, Neeskens was included in the FIFA 100 list, a list of the 100 best footballers ever, compiled by former footballer Pelé. He shared this honour with 12 other Dutchmen, including contemporary Cruijff.