Dick Advokat

Dick Advokat

Head coach of Zenit
Date of Birth: 27.09.1947
Country: Netherlands

Content:
  1. Early Life and Football Career
  2. Coaching Career
  3. International Management
  4. Zenit Saint Petersburg
  5. Later Career

Early Life and Football Career

Dirk Nicolaas (Dick) Advocaatwas born on September 27, 1947, in The Hague, Netherlands. He started his football career at the age of 18 with ADO Den Haag, where he trained during evenings while working as a ceiling repairman during the day.

Dick Advokat

In 1967, Advocaat made his professional debut as a midfielder for ADO Den Haag in a victory over GVAV. Later that year, he played seven matches and scored one goal in the North American Soccer League for San Francisco Gales. Upon returning to the Netherlands in 1968, he helped ADO Den Haag win the Dutch Cup.

Dick Advokat

Coaching Career

Advocaat began his coaching career in 1982 with amateur club DSVP, after being recommended by his brother. In 1984, he was unexpectedly appointed assistant coach of the Netherlands national team under Rinus Michels, earning the nickname "The Little General."

Dick Advokat

In 1987, Advocaat took over as manager of Haarlem, but the team failed to achieve significant success. He then moved to SVV Dordrecht in the second division, leading them to promotion. In 1991, he was invited back to the Netherlands national team as assistant coach.

Dick Advokat

After Michels resigned following the 1992 European Championship, Advocaat assisted in preparing the team for the 1994 World Cup. Under his guidance, the Netherlands reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champions Brazil.

Dick Advokat

Advocaat subsequently managed PSV Eindhoven, winning the Dutch Super Cup in 1996 and the Eredivisie title in 1997. In 1998, he took charge of Scottish club Rangers, leading them to a treble of the Scottish Cup, Scottish Premier League, and Scottish League Cup in 1999. The club repeated the Cup and league titles in 2000, but the following season proved unsuccessful.

International Management

In 2002, Advocaat returned to manage the Netherlands national team. He qualified the team for the 2004 European Championship and reached the semifinals before losing to tournament hosts Portugal. Advocaat's tenure was marked by mixed results and criticism from the media and fans.

After a brief stint with Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany, Advocaat managed the United Arab Emirates national team. In September 2005, he signed with South Korea, leading them to the 2006 World Cup.

Zenit Saint Petersburg

In June 2006, Advocaat joined Zenit Saint Petersburg, which had recently been acquired by Gazprom. In 2007, the team won the Russian Premier League for the first time since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Advocaat extended his contract after Gazprom offered him a significant bonus.

2008 was a landmark year for Zenit. They won the Russian Super Cup, became the first Russian team to win the UEFA Cup, and became the first Russian team to win the UEFA Super Cup. Advocaat was named the Russian Coach of the Year and awarded the title of Honored Coach of Russia.

However, 2009 proved less successful, with Zenit finishing seventh in the league and failing to progress in the UEFA Cup. Advocaat left Zenit in August 2009 due to poor results.

Later Career

After leaving Zenit, Advocaat became manager of the Belgium national team in October 2009, while also serving as head coach of Dutch club AZ Alkmaar from December 2009.

In May 2010, he was appointed manager of the Russia national team, replacing Guus Hiddink. Advocaat was known for his strict discipline and attention to detail.

In 2018, he was appointed manager of Feyenoord, winning the KNVB Cup in his first season. He later had brief spells in charge of Dutch club FC Utrecht and the Iraq national team.

© BIOGRAPHS