Leo Beenhakker passed away on Thursday at the age of 82. Beenhakker celebrated numerous successes and received numerous awards during his long coaching career.
Beenhakker, who never played in higher leagues as an active footballer, started his coaching career in 1968 at the age of 26 when he took over the second division club SC Veendam. This made him the youngest head coach in Dutch professional football.
During his long career, he coached a number of clubs in the Netherlands and in foreign leagues. In his home country, Beenhakker was one of the very few coaches to win the championship with both Ajax Amsterdam (1980, 1990) and Feyenoord Rotterdam (1999). However, he spent his best days as a club coach at Real Madrid, leading the team to three consecutive championships from 1987 to 1989. In the Spanish capital, he was therefore called “Don Leo”.
The royal family also released a statement that evening. “Real Madrid would like to express its condolences and sympathy to his family, his clubs and all his relatives,” said the record winner of the Champions League.
Legendary round of 16 against Germany – tribute in Poland
As the Netherlands’ head coach, he was not so lucky. In 1986, the Elftal failed to qualify for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico under his direction, and after the decisive defeats in the play-offs against neighbors Belgium (1-1, 1-2), he was removed from his position. He returned as national team coach in 1990, but the Netherlands were knocked out in the legendary round of 16 by Germany (1-2) at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
He had more success abroad. In 2006, he led Trinidad & Tobago to a World Cup for the first time, but they were knocked out in the group stage in Germany. Two years later, Poland qualified for the first time for a European Championship under his direction. For this, he was awarded one of Poland’s highest honors.
Beenhakker was not only known as an outstanding coach, but also for his subtle sense of humor and outspoken opinions. He repeatedly intervened in political, social and cultural issues and took a clear stand.
