Former Dutch And Barcelona Star Johan Neeskens Passes Away

Former footballing great Johan Neeskens died on Monday at the age of 73, the KNVB reported.

Neeskens died Sunday morning in Algeria, where he was working on the KNVB’s Project WorldCoaches, for which he was a standard-bearer.

As part of Project World Coaches, Neeskens traveled extensively around the globe to support, mentor, and train coaches in low- and middle-income countries.

“The collective, that’s what it’s all about. You all need each other on the pitch. You can only become a champion as a team. There is only one star and that is the team,” Neeskens said at the reunion of the 1974 internationals earlier this year.

“The world not only says goodbye to a gifted sportsman but, above all, to a compassionate, driven, and wonderful person,” the KNVB said after his passing.

Impressive career as player and coach

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 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).

Following his playing career, Neeskens took on coaching roles in both Dutch and international football. After his initial stint as a coach in Switzerland, he transitioned to Germany to manage the 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.

From 2000 to 2004, Neeskens served as the head coach of NEC. Following this, he worked as an assistant coach for FC Barcelona, the Australian national team, and Galatasaray.

His final coaching position was with Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, where he served from 2011 to 2012.

Oranje Legend

Neeskens made 79 appearances for the Dutch national team and was a mainstay in the Oranje sides that reached the World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978.

At the 1974 World Cup, Neeskens ranked second in the top scorers’ list with five goals, earning him the Silver Boot. The Netherlands were defeated by West Germany in the final of that tournament, losing 2-1.

Four years later, Argentina also triumphed over the Netherlands in the final.

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 Kro,l and Willem van Hanegem in its ranks. Neeskens also played an international for Catalonia in 1976.

After his playing career, Neeskens was named to the FIFA 100 list, which recognizes the 100 greatest footballers of all time, as compiled by legendary player Pelé.

He shared this distinction with 12 other Dutch players, including the renowned Johan Cruyff.