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Leo Beenhakker, the former Real Madrid, Ajax and Netherlands manager, has died at the age of 82.
The Dutchman’s first stint as Ajax manager between 1978 and 1981 brought him the Eredivisie title, which he won again on his return to the Amsterdam club later in his career in 1990.
Beenhakker went on to guide Real Madrid to three consecutive Spanish titles from 1986-87 to 1988-89 and returned for a second stint at the Bernabéu in 1992, earning himself the nickname “Don Leo” during his time in Spain.
“Real Madrid, its president and board of directors are deeply saddened by the death of Leo Beenhakker, the legendary Real Madrid coach who led Los Blancos between 1986 and 1989, and in 1992,” the Spanish giants said in a statement. “Real Madrid would like to express their condolences and affection to his family, clubs, and loved ones.”
Ajax described Beenhakker as a “coaching icon and a truly unique figure” at the club. A statement from the Amsterdam side added: “Ajax extends heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Leo Beenhakker.”
Beenhakker also twice managed the Dutch national team, in 1986 and 1990. The Rotterdam-born coach guided the Oranje to the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where they lost to the eventual champions, West Germany, in a bad-tempered last-16 clash.
The much-travelled Dutch coach also had spells in charge of Swiss club Grasshoppers, Mexican side Club América, Istanbulspor in Turkey and Spain’s Real Zaragoza, as well as a stint in charge of Saudi Arabia. His lengthy coaching career began in 1965 at SV Epe following an amateur playing career as a winger, and took in more than 30 roles.
Beenhakker guided his hometown club, Feyenoord, to the Eredivisie title in 1999 and 2000. He then took Trinidad and Tobago to a first World Cup appearance in 2006, where they drew with Sweden and ran England close before losing 2-0 and exiting in the group stage with a defeat to Paraguay.
The final international managerial job for Beenhakker came with Poland, which saw the team qualify for their first-ever European Championship in 2008. He then worked as a technical director for Ujpest in Hungary, director of football with Trinidad and Tobago, and as a director and advisor for Sparta Rotterdam until 2018.
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