Erwin Koeman

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Lore & Background

As a midfielder, Koeman played in three spells at Groningen and two at PSV Eindhoven, as well as winning national and European trophies at Mechelen in Belgium. He earned 31 caps for the Netherlands between 1983 and 1994, being part of the team that won UEFA Euro 1988 and played at the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Koeman managed Feyenoord, RKC Waalwijk (twice) and Utrecht in the Eredivisie, as well as the national teams of Hungary and Oman. He also served as an assistant manager to his younger brother Ronald Koeman at Premier League clubs Southampton and Everton, and the Netherlands national team.

In Their Own Story

On 16 June 2014, Koeman was appointed as assistant to his brother Ronald at English Premier League club Southampton. The siblings moved to Everton two years later, and Ronald Koeman was dismissed in October 2017 with the team third from bottom, with most of his staff including Erwin leaving with him. On 3 August 2018, he became compatriot Phillip Cocu's assistant at Fenerbahçe. Cocu was dismissed at the end of October with the team in 15th, and Koeman became caretaker manager, debuting on 2 November with a 2–2 draw at Galatasaray in the Intercontinental Derby. He helped the team into the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League before the appointment of Ersun Yanal on 14 December.

Reader's Guide

Born in Zaanstad, North Holland, Koeman is the son of Dutch international footballer Martin Koeman, and older brother of Ronald, who also represented the Netherlands and became a manager. All three Koemans played for Groningen at some time during their careers. Erwin Koeman's son, Len, played for the Helmond Sport youth team, but did not have a senior career. A statue of the three Koemans was unveiled at Groningen's Euroborg stadium in 2021.

Did You Know?

• Koeman debuted for the Netherlands alongside his brother Ronald in a 3–0 friendly loss to Sweden in April 1983.
• He won the Belgian League in 1989 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1988 with Mechelen.
• Koeman resigned as Feyenoord manager in May 2007 due to motivational problems after a troublesome season.
• He was fired as Oman head coach in December 2019 after a group-stage exit at the Arabian Gulf Cup.