Ruud Krol Dutch football player and coach Date of Birth: 24.03.1949 Country: Netherlands

1. Ruud Krol - Dutch Footballer and Coach
2. Early Career and International Success
3. Continued Success and International Disappointments
4. Later Career and Coaching
5. Later Life and Achievements
6. Personal and National Achievements

Ruud Krol - Dutch Footballer and Coach

Ruud Krol, a Dutch footballer and coach, was born on March 24, 1949, in Amsterdam. He played as a defender and was one of the best in the history of Ajax. Known for his speed, excellent physical condition, and football intelligence, Krol perfectly fit the system of total football invented by the innovative coach Michels.

Early Career and International Success

Krol began his career in the club system at a young age and quickly became one of the key players during Ajax's peak. He made his debut for the national team at the age of 20 and played a crucial role in the Dutch team's success in the 1974 World Cup. Although he scored an own goal during the tournament, Krol's defensive skills and ability to contribute to attacks made him an important player for the team.

Continued Success and International Disappointments

After the World Cup, many of Krol's teammates received offers from top European clubs, but he decided to stay in Amsterdam and became the captain and leader of the team. He later reunited with his teammates from Barcelona in the Dutch national team and reached the finals of the European Championship in 1976, as well as the World Cup in 1978. In the absence of Cruyff, Krol played a vital role in defense, showcasing his versatility and exceptional game reading skills.

Later Career and Coaching

In 1980, Krol decided to leave his homeland and moved to Canada, where he had a successful season with the Vancouver Whitecaps, winning the championship. He then returned to Europe and played for Napoli in Italy before moving to Cannes in France, where he ended his playing career in 1987. After retiring, Krol transitioned into coaching and had stints with KV Mechelen in Belgium, Sevette Geneva in Switzerland, and the Egyptian national team. He later moved to Al Wahad in the United Arab Emirates.

Later Life and Achievements

In 2000, Krol served as an assistant to Louis van Gaal for the Dutch national team, but their failure to qualify for the 2002 World Cup led to their resignation. Van Gaal went on to coach Barcelona, while Krol returned to Ajax as Ronald Koeman's assistant. Throughout his career, Krol achieved numerous accomplishments, including winning multiple domestic titles with Ajax, three UEFA Champions League titles, and the Intercontinental Cup in 1972.

Personal and National Achievements

Krol was named the best defender in the 1974 World Cup and won silver in the same tournament. He also won bronze in the 1976 European Championship and silver in the 1978 World Cup as the captain of the Dutch national team. In terms of club achievements, Krol won seven Dutch league titles, four Dutch Cups, and multiple European titles with Ajax. He was also a champion in Canada with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 1980.