Ronald Koeman: Het Schot | OneFootball

Young Ronald with Groningen (Source)

Ronald Koeman’s list of accolades and accomplishments are very long. He was the youngest player to make his professional debut when he stepped on the pitch for Groningen in 1981. He’s the only person to have ever played for, and then managed, the Dutch “Big Three”: Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord. He won a domestic treble and the Euro Cup with his country in 1988. He was on Johan Cryuff’s “Dream Team” in Barcelona that won La Liga four consecutive years (1991-1994). He wasn’t the tallest or the fastest on the field, but he could make a wall tremble in fear just by stepping up to the ball.

The King of Free Kicks

Koeman played 17 years, primarily as libero (a.k.a. sweeper, or center-back). But while he excelled at the defensive aspects of the game, he was known for his stunning goals. No defender has ever scored more goals than Koeman. His career total is 254; 238 for his various clubs and another 14 for the Netherlands. Most of these came off dead ball free kicks. His average goals per year was 14. His low was 6, back in 1980-81 when he made his debut for Groningen; his high was 26 when he played for PSV in 1987-88. Those numbers are high for a striker; unheard of for a center back.

Managerial Career

While his playing career was one of sustained excellence, his career as a manager has had many ups and downs. Since starting as an assistant to Guus Hiddink during the 1998 World Cup, Koeman has managed ten clubs in four leagues as well as the Netherlands national team twice.

Only once has he managed a team that suffered more losses than wins (Valencia) though he came close with AZ in 2009 and Everton in 2016-17. His average winning percentage over 25 years is a whopping 53.4% and his teams have a combined +603 goal differential.

You’d think that with such incredible stats, he’d be a popular choice among the boardroom and fanbase alike. Alas, Koeman is known for his, ahem, direct style of management that doesn’t always sit well with folks. While his teams usually succeed on the pitch, he doesn’t always create the most harmonious atmosphere in the locker room.

Ronald Koeman turns 62 today. Haartelijk gefeliciteerd, Ronald!