Rome, April 10 (LaPresse) – Football has lost one of its legends. Leo Beenhakker, the legendary Dutch coach, has passed away at the age of 82. Beenhakker coached top clubs such as Feyenoord, Ajax, and Real Madrid, and was also the head coach of the Netherlands and Poland national teams. He won the Eredivisie title both with Ajax (1979/80 and 1989/90) and Feyenoord (1998/99). With Real Madrid, he won the La Liga title three times (1986/87, 1987/88, and 1988/89). In 2010, Beenhakker received the Rinus Michels Oeuvre Award. Alongside Ajax and Feyenoord, Beenhakker had stints with Go Ahead Eagles, SC Cambuur, FC Volendam, Vitesse, and Veendam over his 44-year coaching career. Beenhakker also managed the Dutch national team (during two periods), Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Poland. "A unique man with a unique coaching career. An orchestra conductor in the biggest clubs and with the Oranje. There is no one more exceptional than Leo. The man who had more adventures than Tintin. Rest in peace, Leo, and thank you from the bottom of my heart," said Jan de Jong, director of the Eredivisie CV.
© Copyright LaPresse
