Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit (born September 1, 1962) is a Dutch football manager and former player. A versatile player, Gullit played as a midfielder but could also play as a forward or defender. During his club career, he played for HFC Haarlem, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Sampdoria, and Chelsea. With Milan, Gullit won the Serie A title three times, the European Cup twice, the European Super Cup twice, and the Intercontinental Cup twice. He also won the FA Cup and the Full Members' Cup with Chelsea.
Gullit made his international debut for the Netherlands in 1981, at the age of 18. He helped the team win the 1988 UEFA European Championship and was named the European Footballer of the Year in 1987. He also played in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where the Netherlands finished in third place. Gullit retired from international football in 1994, after having earned 66 caps and scored 17 goals.
After retiring as a player, Gullit began his managerial career. He has managed Chelsea, Newcastle United, Feyenoord, and LA Galaxy. He has also served as the assistant manager of the Netherlands national team.
Gullit is widely regarded as one of the greatest Dutch footballers of all time. He was inducted into the FIFA 100 list of the greatest living players in 2004. He is also a member of the AC Milan Hall of Fame.
Personal life
Gullit was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to a Surinamese father and a Dutch mother. He has two sisters and a brother. Gullit is married to Estelle Gullit, a Dutch television presenter. They have two children together, a son named Maxim and a daughter named Joëlle.
Career
Club career
Gullit began his career at HFC Haarlem, where he played from 1979 to 1982. He then moved to Feyenoord, where he spent two seasons. In 1985, he joined PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Eredivisie title three times.
In 1987, Gullit moved to AC Milan, where he spent five seasons. He was a key member of the team that won the Serie A title three times, the European Cup twice, the European Super Cup twice, and the Intercontinental Cup twice. Gullit was named the European Footballer of the Year in 1987.
In 1992, Gullit moved to Sampdoria, where he spent two seasons. In 1994, he joined Chelsea, where he won the FA Cup and the Full Members' Cup. Gullit retired from playing in 1998.
International career
Gullit made his international debut for the Netherlands in 1981. He was a member of the team that won the 1988 UEFA European Championship. He also played in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where the Netherlands finished in third place. Gullit retired from international football in 1994, after having earned 66 caps and scored 17 goals.
Managerial career
Gullit began his managerial career at Chelsea in 1996. He led the team to victory in the FA Cup and the Full Members' Cup. However, he was sacked in 1998, after a poor run of form.
In 1999, Gullit was appointed manager of Newcastle United. He led the team to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League in his first season. However, he was sacked in 2000, after a poor start to the following season.
In 2004, Gullit was appointed manager of Feyenoord. He led the team to victory in the KNVB Cup in his first season. However, he was sacked in 2005, after a poor start to the following season.
In 2007, Gullit was appointed manager of LA Galaxy. He led the team to victory in the MLS Cup in his first season. However, he was sacked in 2008, after a poor start to the following season.
In 2011, Gullit was appointed assistant manager of the Netherlands national team. He helped the team reach the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He resigned from his position in 2015.
Honours
Player
HFC Haarlem
- Eerste Divisie: 1980–81
Feyenoord
- Eredivisie: 1983–84
- KNVB Cup: 1983–84
PSV Eindhoven
- Eredivisie: 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88
- KNVB Cup: 1987–88
AC Milan
- Serie A: 1987–88, 1991–92, 1992–93
- European Cup: 1988–89, 1989–90
- European Super Cup: 1989, 1990
- Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990
Sampdoria
- Coppa Italia: 1993–94
Chelsea
- FA Cup: 1996–97
- Full Members' Cup: 1997–98
Netherlands
- UEFA European Championship: 1988
Individual
- European Footballer of the Year: 1987
- World Soccer Player of the Year: 1987
- Ballon d'Or: 1987
- FIFA 100: 2004
- AC Milan Hall of Fame
Manager
Chelsea
- FA Cup: 1996–97
- Full Members' Cup: 19
