Dutch football has lost one of its tutelary figures in the person of Leo Beenhakker. Aged 82, the technician died this Thursday, reports the Batavian press, unanimous in his tributes paid to a coach who will have officiated 50 years from 1965 to 2015.
During his journey, Leo Beenhakker was champion of the Netherlands three times-twice with Ajax, 1980 and in 1990; And once with Le Feyenoord, in 1999. The interested party being the only one to have won the national title at the head of the two rival clubs of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
It was at the controls of Real Madrid that the interested party made a name for an international scale, by winning three titles of Spanish champion consecutively from 1987 to 1989 – all embellished in the meantime of a King's cup and two supercups in Spain.
The tribute of Real Madrid
“” Real Madrid CF, its president and board of directors deeply regret the death of Leo Beenhakker, the historic coach of Real Madrid who managed our team between 1986 and 1989, and in 1992we can read this Thursday evening in a tribute press release from the White House. Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and affection for its family, clubs and all their loved ones. »»
Nicknamed “Don Leo” on the other side of the Pyrenees, Leo Beenhakker will also have been coach in his rich career. Passed on the benches of the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, he will have marked the history of two nations in particular: Poland which he led to his first euro in 2008 and Trinité-et-Tobago which he knew how to qualify for the 2006 World Cup-a great first (and only participation to date) too.
