Johan Neeskens(1951-2024)
Johan Neeskens is a Dutch football player and coach. Neeskens was gifted at sports as a child, including gymnastics and baseball. He represented the Netherlands at a youth European Championship in the latter sport.
Johan began his career at the local club Racing Club Heemstede in 1968. In 1970, 19-year-old Neeskens signed a contract with AFC Ajax, and then-coach Rinus Michels was impressed by the young right-back's performance. Immediately becoming a member of the main team, Neeskens won the 1971 Champions Cup, defeating Panathinaikos F.C. in the final. In the 1971/72 season, Neeskens played as a central midfielder, supporting Johan Cruijff. In 1974, Neeskens went to FC Barcelona, where striker Johan Cruyff and Ajax head coach Rinus Michels had previously moved. Since only Johan had already played for Barca, the fans immediately dubbed Neskens 'Johan the Second'. With Barcelona, Johan only won the 1978 Copa del Rey and won the UEFA Cup WInners' Cup final. In 1979, Johan accepted an offer from the American club New York Cosmos. Neskens spent 5 years in Cosmos, having played with such players as Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto, Vladislav Bogicevic and others. In 1980, Johan became US champion. At the end of 1991, Johan ended his football career.
Worked for the Netherlands National Football Team as an assistant coach during the qualifying tournament for the 1998 World Cup and at the World Cup itself. After Guus Hiddink's departure from the national team, Neeskens did the same job, but this time under Frank Rijkaard as head coach, until 2000. In December 2005, Neeskens was appointed assistant coach of the Australia National Football Team, led by Guus Hiddink. After a successful performance at the 2006 World Cup, Johan returned to Barcelona, with whom he had previously signed a three-year contract.
Johan began his career at the local club Racing Club Heemstede in 1968. In 1970, 19-year-old Neeskens signed a contract with AFC Ajax, and then-coach Rinus Michels was impressed by the young right-back's performance. Immediately becoming a member of the main team, Neeskens won the 1971 Champions Cup, defeating Panathinaikos F.C. in the final. In the 1971/72 season, Neeskens played as a central midfielder, supporting Johan Cruijff. In 1974, Neeskens went to FC Barcelona, where striker Johan Cruyff and Ajax head coach Rinus Michels had previously moved. Since only Johan had already played for Barca, the fans immediately dubbed Neskens 'Johan the Second'. With Barcelona, Johan only won the 1978 Copa del Rey and won the UEFA Cup WInners' Cup final. In 1979, Johan accepted an offer from the American club New York Cosmos. Neskens spent 5 years in Cosmos, having played with such players as Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto, Vladislav Bogicevic and others. In 1980, Johan became US champion. At the end of 1991, Johan ended his football career.
Worked for the Netherlands National Football Team as an assistant coach during the qualifying tournament for the 1998 World Cup and at the World Cup itself. After Guus Hiddink's departure from the national team, Neeskens did the same job, but this time under Frank Rijkaard as head coach, until 2000. In December 2005, Neeskens was appointed assistant coach of the Australia National Football Team, led by Guus Hiddink. After a successful performance at the 2006 World Cup, Johan returned to Barcelona, with whom he had previously signed a three-year contract.
