European football mourns Leo Beenhakker

Beenhakker’s coaching career spanned 44 years, beginning with the Dutch club SV Epe in 1965 and ending with the Polish national team in 2009, who he took to their first-ever UEFA EURO finals in 2008. He also held numerous other functions, such as technical adviser, technical director and director of football in the Netherlands and other countries between 2000 and 2011.

The Dutchman’s first spell as Ajax coach, between 1978 and 1981, brought the Eredivisie title in 1980, lifted again on his return in 1990. He also made his hometown club, Feyenoord, Dutch champions in 1999.

The Rotterdammer also coached clubs outside of the Netherlands – in Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye and Mexico. His greatest achievement was to guide Real Madrid to three consecutive Spanish titles from between 1987 and 1989. He returned for a second stint at the Bernabéu in 1992, earning himself the nickname Don Leo.

Beenhakker twice coached the Dutch national team, in 1986 and 1990. He was in charge for a total of 13 matches, and took the Oranje to the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where they lost to the eventual champions, West Germany, in a last-16 clash. He also had spells in charge of the Saudi Arabia, Trinidad & Tobago and Poland national teams.

There have been many tributes from throughout the football world. The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) said it "wishes all family, friends and other people involved with Leo Beenhakker much strength in bearing this great loss."

Ajax described Beenhakker as a "coaching icon and a truly unique figure," while Real Madrid referred to him as "the legendary coach who led Los Blancos between 1986 and 1989, and in 1992."

Current Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman described Beenhakker’s passing as "a great loss for Dutch football. Leo was a coach with an unparalleled passion and vision, who knew how to make an impact not only in matches, but also with people."