Oranje 1988 still going strong…

Marco van Basten was the star player in Rinus Michels squad in 1988. The AC Milan striker would lead the way to the title. And now, it’s again Marco van Basten who is supposed to bring gold to the lowlands, this time as their coach.

San Marco was the figure head of the team, but Oranje had more leaders. Ruud Gullit was Mr Charisma while Ronald Koeman and Frank Rijkaard were the directors and organizers of the squad.

The center backs were the extension of coach Michels. They read the game, distributed passes, organized the build up and the pace and if necessary, they’d break down the opponents’ offense with a vengeance.

Frank Rijkaard would quickly become team manager for Oranje and later won two titles and the Champions League with Barcelona. Ronald Koeman assisted Guus Hiddink in 1998 and would later become head coach at Vitesse, Ajax, Benfica, PSV and Valencia.

Ruud Gullit and Hans van Breukelen completed the ax of the successful Dutch team. Gullit was captain and leader of the pack, but also a bit flamboyant. Gulliman wanted Chelsea to play sexy football and became coach of Beckham’s LA Galaxy by means of Newcastle United and Feyenoord. Hans van Breukelen has done iit all. The former teacher worked in several capacities at FC Utrecht and is currently analist on tv when Oranje plays. The eloquent talker is also a sought after motivational speaker for companies.

Van Aerle and Van Tiggelen were the foot soldiers of the team. Berry van Aerle won six titles with PSV, one European Cup and a EC title with Oranje, which makes him one of Holland’s most successful players ever! The humble player never left his home province as a player and worked as a mailman after his career. Today, he is supporters coordinator at his beloved PSV.

Adrie van Tiggelen, the Nail as he was called, works as youth coach at Sparta Rotterdam, the club where he started his career. He coached the first team twice in an interim role with success but prefers a role in the background.

All internationals from that glorious team are still actively involved in football. Arnold Muhren, the man with the deep pass on Van Basten in the finals, is youth coach at Ajax. Erwin Koeman is team manager of Hungary, while Jan Wouters worked as head coach at Ajax, assistant coach at Glasgow Rangers and now as assistant at PSV Eindhoven.

Gerald Vanenburg seeks acknowledgment as coach of Helmond Spor and Eindhoven, while John Bosman is the strikers’ coach at AZ Alkmaar. Wim Kieft is one of Holland’s most popular tv football analists and John van ‘t Schip still serves Marco van Basten. This time, not with decisive crosses, but with assistence in management of Oranje.

Wilbert Suvrijn only played 5 minutes at the EC. He collects antiques in France and is players’ manager. Aron Winter is youth coach at Ajax, Sjaak Troost was Feyenoord’s commercial manager for many years, while Wim Koevermans is coach at the KNVB. Henri Kruzen is assistant coach at Heracles (and might move to Feyenoord as assistant). Goalie Joop Hiele worked as keeper trainer for PSV but will move to Feyenoord as head keepers academy this summer.