Kees Rijvers Management

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Lore & Background

As a manager, Rijvers started at FC Twente and coached the team for six years, with good results. After those successful seasons, he moved to PSV Eindhoven in 1972. He led the team to win the 1977–78 UEFA Cup and he also won three Eredivisie titles, in 1975, 1976 and 1978, and the double in 1976 with PSV. After leaving PSV and a short stint at Beringen in Belgium, he took over the Dutch national team in February 1981 and introduced young players like Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, and Marco van Basten. Under Rijvers' management, the Netherlands national team failed to qualify for both 1982 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1984. Whilst having better goal difference than Spain until the last day of the qualification for UEFA Euro 1984, the Netherlands ended second in the group due to Spain's controversial 12-1 win against Malta. Rijvers still started the qualification for 1986 FIFA World Cup, but resigned in November 1984 after the Dutch team lost the first home match of the qualification against Hungary in October 1984.

In Their Own Story

The tunnel at San Siro was cold, smelling of wet concrete and nervous sweat. Rijvers stood apart from the players, hands clasped behind his back, eyes scanning the faces of men he had trained for years. He did not shout; there was no need. The weight of Rotterdam rested on their shoulders, but they looked to him for direction. As the roar of 80,000 fans filtered through the concrete walls, he nodded once toward the pitch. It was time to write history.

Reader's Guide

Rijvers' managerial career began at FC Twente, where he spent six years. He then moved to PSV Eindhoven in 1972, winning the UEFA Cup in 1977–78, three Eredivisie titles (1975, 1976, 1978), and the double in 1976. After a short stint at Beringen in Belgium, he managed the Netherlands national team from February 1981, introducing several young talents, but failed to qualify for the 1982 World Cup and Euro 1984, resigning in November 1984.

Did You Know?

• Rijvers led PSV to the 1977–78 UEFA Cup title.
• He introduced young players like Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, and Marco van Basten to the Dutch national team.
• Rijvers resigned as Netherlands manager in November 1984 after a home loss to Hungary in World Cup qualifying.