Michael Reiziger

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Reiziger started his career with Ajax, making his first-team debut at age 17. He served loan spells with Volendam and Groningen; with Groningen in 1993–94 he scored a career-best six goals while also playing as a midfielder. He helped Ajax win the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League. In 1996 he signed for A.C. Milan, but after a season marred by injury he departed for Barcelona, where he spent seven years, making more than 200 appearances and helping the club to back-to-back La Liga titles. In 2004 he moved to Middlesbrough on a Bosman transfer, scoring once in the league against Aston Villa in December 2004. After another injury-plagued campaign he left and returned to the Netherlands to see out his career at PSV Eindhoven, winning the Eredivisie in his second year. He represented the Netherlands for a full decade, competing at three European Championships and the 1998 World Cup, finishing fourth. He made his international debut on 12 October 1994 against Norway, and retired after Euro 2004, totaling 72 appearances. After retiring, he coached Sparta Rotterdam at youth level and later acted as assistant to Gert Kruys and Alex Pastoor. On 20 June 2017 he returned to Ajax as manager of the reserves, leading them to the Eerste Divisie title in his first season. He was assistant coach of Ajax's first team from 2019 until 2023. Since 2023 he is the manager of the Netherlands under-21 team.

In Their Own Story

In December 2004, during his time at Middlesbrough, Reiziger scored his sole league goal for the club against Aston Villa. This came after a Bosman transfer in 2004, following a stint at Barcelona where he helped win back-to-back La Liga titles. His career was occasionally marred by physical problems, particularly during his season at A.C. Milan and later campaigns at Middlesbrough. Despite these injuries, he maintained a high level of performance, representing the Netherlands for a full decade. He competed in three European Championships (1996, 2000, 2004) and the 1998 World Cup, where the team finished fourth. His international career totaled 72 appearances before he retired from national duty after Euro 2004.

Reader's Guide

Reiziger is a former right back known for his time at Ajax and Barcelona. He won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1994–95 and La Liga titles with Barcelona in 1997–98 and 1998–99. He also won the Eredivisie with PSV in 2005–06 and 2006–07. As a manager, he won the Eerste Divisie with Jong Ajax in 2017–18.

Did You Know?

• Reiziger scored a career-best six goals while on loan at Groningen in 1993–94, often playing as a midfielder.
• He signed for A.C. Milan in 1996, but after a season marred by injury he moved to Barcelona.
• His only league goal for Middlesbrough came against Aston Villa in December 2004.
• Reiziger's son Gabriël (born 2005) also came through the Ajax youth system and plays for PEC Zwolle as of 2026.