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Frank RijkaardFootball player
Date of Birth: 30.09.1962
Country:  Netherlands |
Content:
Biography of Frank Rijkaard
Frank Rijkaard, a Dutch football player and coach, was born on September 30, 1962. He began his career at Ajax in 1980 and made his debut for the national team shortly before his 19th birthday on September 1, against Switzerland. Rijkaard played 73 matches for the national team, which is the fourth highest in its history.
Successful Years at Milan
Rijkaard formed a formidable trio alongside Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten at AC Milan, where they achieved great success. Milan won the European Cup in 1989 and 1990, and Rijkaard also won the European Championship in 1988. In his final season at Ajax in 1987, he won the Cup Winners' Cup.
Return to Ajax and Retirement
In 1993, Rijkaard returned to Ajax and helped the team win the Champions League in 1995. This marked his last season as a professional footballer. He played his final match for the national team in 1994, which ended in a 3-2 defeat against Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup.
Coaching Career
In 1998, after a few years working in his clothing business, Rijkaard returned to the national team as an assistant coach under Guus Hiddink. They were joined by Johan Neeskens and Ronald Koeman, and together they were nicknamed "The Three Musketeers." In August 1998, Rijkaard was appointed as the new coach of the Netherlands national team, succeeding Hiddink.
Under Rijkaard's guidance, the Dutch team performed well in Euro 2000 but ultimately lost to Italy. Following this, Rijkaard resigned from his position. In recent years, he has coached Sparta Rotterdam, but the club, which had remained in the top division for many years, was relegated this year. Rijkaard subsequently resigned from his coaching role.
