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Bert Van LingenAssistant to the head coach of Zenit
Date of Birth: 28.12.1945
Country:  Netherlands |
Content:
- Bert van Lingen: A Dutch Football Mastermind
- KNVB Years
- Assistant to the Netherlands National Team
- Assistant to Dick Advocaat
- International Assistant Roles
- Later Career
Bert van Lingen: A Dutch Football Mastermind
Early Life and CareerBert van Lingen, born in the Netherlands, began his football journey as a player for Concordia and DHC in the lower divisions. However, a premature injury forced him to transition to coaching. He initially served as an assistant to Jan Zwartkruis for the Dutch military national team before working alongside Ron Groenewoud at Groningen.
KNVB Years
In 1979, van Lingen joined the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), where he made a significant impact. He became the head coach of the Dutch women's national team from 1979 to 1986 and again from 1989 to 1991. His record of approximately nine years is unmatched in the history of the team. Concurrently, he led the Under-17 men's team and the Netherlands futsal team.
Assistant to the Netherlands National Team
Van Lingen's expertise extended beyond women's football. He served as an assistant coach with the Dutch men's youth team from 1979 to 1983 and later with the under-21 squad. In 1983, he became an assistant to Rinus Michels for the senior national team, which triumphed in the 1988 European Championship. He continued to work within the KNVB, specializing in youth development and coaching education.
Assistant to Dick Advocaat
In 1992, Dick Advocaat, another Michel's assistant, became the Netherlands head coach. Van Lingen joined his staff and assisted in the team's qualification for the 1994 World Cup. He remained an assistant under Guus Hiddink, securing qualification for the 1998 World Cup. In 1998, van Lingen joined Advocaat at Scottish club Rangers, where he spent four years.
International Assistant Roles
Van Lingen's association with Advocaat continued as an assistant with the Dutch national team from 2002 to 2004. He subsequently worked with the Belgian national team from 2009 to 2010. In 2010, he joined Advocaat's staff as technical director of the Russian Football Union (RFU) and the Russia national team. Van Lingen's responsibilities included scientific and methodological work, as well as developing the youth football system.
Later Career
After Advocaat's departure from Russia, van Lingen remained with him as an assistant at Serbia's national team and Sunderland in England.
