The Dutch Trio

[Andi Istiabudi]

Siapa pun penggemar sepakbola di dunia pasti pernah mengetahui atau mendengar cerita tentang kehebatan trio Belanda yang membela AC Milan tahun 1980an hingga awal 1990an. Saat itu Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkard dan Ruud Gullit bisa dianggap sebagai maestro sepakbola dunia di masa itu dan memberikan kontribusi yang luar biasa bagi AC Milan, maupun timnas Belanda.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OL8zQKZFmH4/TDWK9Wx4s1I/AAAAAAAAASg/Vzkr4miXAKM/s1600/120915_huge.jpg

Frank Rijkaard, Marco Van Basten & Ruud Gullit

Ayo kita berbagi informasi, cerita, kenangan atau sekedar ngobrol seputar kehebatan trio Belanda yang legendaris tersebut disini.

[Andi Istiabudi]

Jujur, pertama kali saya mengikuti sepakbola saat masih kecil di akhir tahun 1980an, nama Van Basten dan Gullit sangat populer dan terkenal saat itu. Saya baru mengetahui Rijkard merupakan bagian dari trio Belanda saat dirinya bergabung kembali dengan Ajax Amsterdam pada pertengahan 1990an.

Sayang Van Basten harus pensiun muda karena cidera berkepanjangan sementara Gullit malah kurang sukses menjalani karir kepelatihannya pasca didepak dari Chelsea setelah sebelumnya sempat menjadi pemain merangkap manager. Rijkard sendiri usai pensiun menjalani karir sebagai pelatih dan terbilang berhasil saat menangani Barcelona.

[Andi Istiabudi]

Gullit Tukangi Klub Rusia
Achmad Firdaus - Okezone

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/7/10/1278753120740/Ruud-Gullit-006.jpg

MOSKOW - Setelah cukup lama tidak eksis di dunia sepak bola, legenda hidup Belanda Ruud Gullit akhirnya bakal kembali muncul di lapangan. Tentunya bukan sebagai pemain. Gullit kembali dengan status pelatih.

Adalah klub Rusia, Terek Grozny yang akan dibesut Gullit mulai musim ini. Mantan bintang AC Milan ini dikontrak selama 18 bulan dengan opsi perpanjangan kontrak di akhir masa jabatannya, demikian seperti diumumkan situs resmi klub sebagaimana dikutip Goal, Rabu (19/1/2011).

Gullit mengambil alih tampuk pimpinan klub dari pelatih terdahulu Anatoly Baidachny yang hanya berkuasa selama setahun. Baidachny didepak dari kursi pelatih karena dianggap tidak mampu mengangkat prestasi tim. Sepanjang musim lalu, Terek Grozny hanya mampu nangkring di peringkat 12 klasemen Russian Premier League (RPL).

Terek Grozny sendiri masih tergolong sebagai anak bawang di kancah (RPL). Klub juara Piala Rusia 2004 ini baru dua musim tampil di kasta tertinggi sepak bola Rusia.

Gullit sendiri memang sudah punya cukup pengalaman dalam bidang kepelatihan. Pria yang saat masih aktif bermain memiliki ciri khas rambut gimbal ini sempat membesut sejumlah klub seperti Chelsea (1996-1998), Newcastle United (1998-1999), Feyenoord (2004-2005) dan terakhir klub MLS, LA Galaxy pada 2007-2008 lalu. (acf)

Source : http://bola.okezone.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Gullit: Sekarang Dunia Tahu Apa Terek Grozny!
Fitra Iskandar - Okezone

GROZNY - Legenda De Oranje, Ruud Gullit berani mengambil risiko melatih klub di daerah konflik, Terek Grozny, Chechnya. Namun sekali lagi Gullit menegaskan kepeduliannya.

Eks striker AC Milan yang sempat memelihara rambut gimbal ini berharap dapat menggairahkan atmosfir olahraga di Grozny. Karena dia berkeyakinan olahraga bisa membantu orang-orang keluar dari masalah sehari-hari yang mereka tanggung.

“Saya tidak berada di sini untuk politik. Saya di sini untuk olahraga,” terang Ruud Gullit, disitat The World Game, Kamis (10/2/2011).

“Saya sudah berkeliling dunia. Saya sering melihat camp pengungsi sebagai tempat yang berbahaya.Tapi saya hanya tahu satu hal: football membawa kebahagiaan.”

Gullit yang baru menandatangani kontrak dua pekan lalu, merasa terkesan dengan pemain yang sudah ditemuinya.” Saya sudah mendapatkan kesempatan untuk mengenal mereka, dan mereka pemain yang bagus, bekerja cukup bagus dan berbagi tujuan yang sama,” kata Gullit.

“Saya kira ini tantangan yang menyenangkan, untuk merangkul orang terlibat dalam sepakbola. Jika saya bisa membuat orang bahagia, saya senang.Saya ingin mengembalikan sepakbola kepada masyarakat Grozny,” kata Gullit.

“Dunia olahraga sekarang tahu apa dan di mana Terek Grozny,” tutup Gullit. (fit)

Source : http://bola.okezone.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Van Basten: Barca Seperti Harlem Globetrotters

MILAN--MICOM Penampilan Barcelona musim ini terus menuai pujia dari legenda-legenda sepak bola. Setelah Johan Cruyff, giliran Marco van Basten yang memuji klub asal Catalan tersebut. Menurut legenda Belanda dan AC Milan tersebut permainan Barca saat ini ibarat Harlem Globetrotters nya sepak bola.

"Barca seperti Harlem Globetrotters," ujar Van Basten seperti dikutip tribalfootball, Jumat (16/2). "Anda langsung terpana sejak kali pertama menyaksikan mereka. sedang yang lainnya jadi telihat hambar," imbuhnya.

Harlem Globetrotters sendiri merupakan tim bola basket asal New York yang menggabungkan olah raga dan komedi. Pemain-pemain dari tim ini merupakan pemain pilihan yang sangat piawai dalam bermain basket. Semua skill dalam basket seperti drible, passing, shooting dan bahkan slam dunk bisa mereka kuasai dengan sangat hebat. Tak jarang kehebatan mereka tersebut mampu menciptakan salah satu hiburan olah raga yang paling terkenal di dunia.

"Mereka memainkan 70 persen dari waktu normal dengan menyerang. Mereka tim terbaik dari segala masa. Tak seorang pun bisa mencapai level mereka. Bukan pula Ajax di tahun '70an maupun AC Milan di '80an dan '90an," tutur mantan pemain Ajax dan Milan tersebut.

Namun meski memuji Barca, Van Basten juga mengatakan kalau skuat Pep Guardiola tersebut bukanlah tim yang tak terkalahkan. Menurut Van Basten, meski Barca terlihat superior, mereka akan kesulitan jika berhadapan dengan klub dibisi dua Inggris yang terkenal sangat agresif-agresif.

"Mereka akan kesulitan bia berhadapan dengan klub divisi dua Inggris, karena kondisi lapangan dan juga permainan yang agresif dan bisa menekan mereka," ujar Basten. "Tim apapun dapat dikalahkan, bahkan Barcelona," tandasnya.

Hingga pekan ke-23 Barca memang masih menjadi pemuncak klasemen sementara La Liga Spanyol dengan torehan 62 poin, unggul tujuh poin dari rival abadi mereka Real Madrid. Kesuksesan skuat Pep Guardiola ini juga diperkuat dengan catatan-catatan rekor baru mereka. Menorehkan 16 kemenangan beruntun, Barca berhasil melampaui catatan rekor milik legenda Madrid Alfredo di Stefano yang membawa Los Blancos memetik 15 kemenangan secara beruntun pada pada musim 1960-61. (Pj/OL-03)

Source : http://www.mediaindonesia.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Van Basten: Sepak Bola Inggris Makin Kuat

Bola.net - Legenda sepak bola Belanda, Marco Van Basten mengklaim jika klub-klub sepak bola Inggris saat ini jauh lebih superior dari negara-negara lain di Eropa, terutama dari sisi finansial.

Mantan arsitek tim Oranje itu menegaskan jika Liga Premier Inggris sekarang adalah liga yang terbaik di Eropa, semua berkat keberanian mereka membelanjakan dana besar.

"Jelas sekali siapa yang memiliki power dan siapa yang tidak," ucap Van Basten.

"Inggris saat ini sungguh merupakan negara yang kuat dalam sepak bola level klub. Ini adalah negara sepak bola di mana uang berada."

"Ada begitu banyak uang disuntikkan ke dalam permainan, namun Anda bisa melihat efeknya. Tottenham mengalahkan Inter 3-1 di London dan AC Milan 1-0 di Italia. Spurs terus membeli pemain besar dengan nilai besar pula."

"Gaya seperti itu memberikan kualitas di lapangan dan fans menyukainya. Investasi yang dilakukan Milan dan klub lain, macam Roma dan Juventus, sudah amat terbatas. Klub Inggris lebih banyak membelanjakan uang," tutup Van Basten. (foti/row)

Source : http://www.bola.net

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FRANK RIJKAARD CONFIRMS INTEREST IN SPORTING CP JOB

Rijkaard has said he wants Sporting job after being impressed with project...

Frank Rijkaard has given his availability for the coaching role at Sporting CP after being sagely advised by presidential candidate Dias Ferreira.

Speculation had been rife that Rijkaard would be in the frame for the top job in Lisbon, and the former Barcelona coach has announced he will take the job following talks with Ferreira.

"I am excited about the project of Dias Ferreira and Paulo Futre. Speaking with Paulo Futre, and the way he thinks of football, the way I understand football, I have realised we're on the same page," he told Lusa news agency.

"We want a very organised team, who play in an attractive way, with offensive football, but very organised.

"It is a big challenge, there is a lot of work to do, a lot of organisation, and I would like to help, to do well for the organisation, starting with the youth players.

"We agreed on the philosophy, on how we want to play and what we will need to reach that."

When pushed on changes he might look to make, Rijkaard was non-committal.

"It is not yet the time to talk about positions, players and names.

"First we will have to look at the results of the elections. Of course, in that, we expect to have a good result, and then we will discuss more about building the team."

The Portuguese side have been searching for a new coach since Paulo Cesar's departure.

Source : http://m.goal.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Gullit makes losing start to Russian campaign

MOSCOW - DUTCH football great Ruud Gullit's first match in charge of ambitious Russian Premier League outfit Terek Grozny ended in a 1-0 defeat at home to champions Zenit St Petersburg on Sunday.

The 48-year-old two-time world player of the year's hopes of a memorable win on his debut in the Grozny dugout were ruined by Serbian striker Danko Lazovic's 14th minute goal.

The hosts made more of a game of it in the second-half against Zenit, who finished 35 points ahead of them last season, but failed to even get a point thanks to a resolute defensive display by the visitors.

Elsewhere two-time champions Rubin Kazan clinched a 2-0 away win over Kuban at Krasnodar. Rubin midfielder Alan Kasayev gave his side a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute lobbing the ball into the net over the hosts goalkeeper Alexander Budakov and skipper Christian Noboa added another with a penalty two minutes from time. -- AFP

Source : http://www.straitstimes.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Dutch legend 'excited' about Chelsea move

Chelsea - Marco Van Basten linked with Blues mangers job.

The Italian manager has had a difficult season in the Barclays Premier League, with his side well off the pace in the title race with just six games to go.

And with his future uncertain at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are ready to bring a Dutch master to the club.

Van Basten hit fame in 1988 when at the European Championships, he struck a stunning volley to help Netherlands win the tournament against the Soviet Union.

He has since taken his county to the World Cup finals and the European Championships finals as manager, before taking over at Ajax in 2008.

Failure to reach the Champions League saw him sacked the following year, and he now seeks a way back into football management.

With Guus Hiddink expected to take up a director of football role at Chelsea after Ancelotti's departure, Van Basten could be first choice for the managers position.

Close friends have said that Van Basten is excited about the possibility of moving to Chelsea.

Also in the frame to take over from Ancelotti is Frank Rijkaard, another Dutchman, who won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006, a trophy craved by owner Roman Abramovich.

Source : http://www.givemefootball.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Foto lain Trio Belanda tahun 1990an (kumis Gullit sudah dicukur) :

http://footballcurva.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Milan-dutch-trio.jpg

[Andi Istiabudi]

Hiddink Rekomendasikan Frank Rijkaard Kepada Chelsea

Bola.net - Pelatih yang dikaitkan erat melatih Chelsea musim depan, Guus Hiddink merekomendasikan nama mantan pelatih Barcelona, Frank Rijkaard kepada Roman Abramovich untuk menduduki jabatan pelatih Chelsea.

Chelsea pernah menawarkan jabatan sebagai Direktur Olahraga kepada Hiidink dalam suatu kesempatan. Namun Hiddink kemudian menolaknya dengan alasan ingin berkomitmen dengan keputusannya menangani Timnas Turki.

Agen Hiddink sendiri yang menyangkal kliennya akan kembali melatih Chelsea dan menegaskan bahwa Hiddink akan tetap membesut Timnas Turki hingga kontraknya berakhir.

Kini Daily Mail melansir kabar bahwa pelatih yang pernah memberikan gelar FA di masa singkatnya melatih Chelsea 2009 lalu menominasikan Frank Rijkaard sebagai kandidat pelatih berikutnya. Hiddink dan Abramovich dikenal dekat sejak Hiddink menangani Timnas Rusia beberapa tahun lalu.

Jika kenyataan ini benar, dan Abramovich tergerak mendengarkan saran Hiddink maka hal ini bisa menjadi kenyataan pahit bagi pelatih Chelsea saat ini, Carlo Ancelotti. (day/mac)

Source : http://www.bola.net

[Andi Istiabudi]

Ruud Gullit sells Hollywood Hills home

The 1937 four-bedroom house includes a step-down living room and a den with a bar.

http://i54.tinypic.com/zr780.jpg

The home of former Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit opens to a brick veranda along the back of the house. (Marc Angeles / UnlimitedStyle.com)

By Lauren Beale, Los Angeles Times

Update: Former L.A. Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit has sold his Hollywood Hills house for $3,425,000, the Multiple Listing Service shows.

The 3,200-square-foot home, built in 1937, opens in back to a swimming pool and a spa. Living spaces include a step-down living room with a fireplace, a den with a bar, four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Gullit, 48, was an ESPN soccer analyst last year for the World Cup. The Dutchman was European footballer of the year in 1987 and led the Netherlands to an international trophy in the European Championship in 1988. Gullit was the Galaxy coach from 2007 to 2008, the year he bought the property for $4.25 million.

Rebekah Schwartz of Hilton & Hyland, Beverly Hills, was the listing agent, according to the MLS. Mauricio Umansky of the same office represented the buyer.

Source : http://www.latimes.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Narkoba ... oh narkoba ... Stay away from drugs, man !!!

Son of former Dutch international Gullit caught at drugdeal

The 20 year old son of former Dutch international Ruud Gullit has been caught in Italy while dealing drugs. He has been arrested and is currently in custody.
Gullit junior, a child from a previous marriage of the ex-footballer (and current coach of Terek Grozny) with Christina Pensa, was caught in the act while dealing marihuana in Lecco, as reported by Italian media. He was beeing followed by the Italian justice department for quite a while.

During a raid at the house policemen found 260 gram hashish and 80 grams of marihuana. Also gear ment for packaging the drugs was seized.

The boy has been apprehended and is in custody. He has got no further criminal past of any kind.

Source : http://www.totalfootballmadness.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Van Basten cocok sih kalau dipercaya menangani Chelsea. Pembawaannya kalem dan tidak mudah emosi ...

Van Basten in demand

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/5/6/1241613031983/Marco-van-Basten-001.jpg

Chelsea would face competition for Marco van Basten's services if they tried to appoint him as their next manager.

Van Basten is among the favourites to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, who appears resigned to losing his job at the end of the season.

Reports have claimed Guus Hiddink, rumoured to be Roman Abramovich's number one target, has recommended Van Basten to the Blues' billionaire owner due to his own reluctance to re-enter frontline club management.

Former Holland boss Van Basten has been out of work for more than two years after quitting Ajax but he has been linked recently with Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina. Unlike Turkey manager Hiddink and another leading candidate, Porto's Andre Villas-Boas, the 46-year-old would be available immediately and without the need for compensation.

It is understood Van Basten is currently mulling over more than one job offer, although he is aware of the speculation linking him with Chelsea.

Agent Perry van Overeem told Press Association Sport: "He's just waiting for the right job to come along and looking forward to getting back into the game again."

Source : http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

[fadilbedil]

Frank Rijkaard Takkan Tolak Aston Villa
Frank Rijkaard menjadi salah satu calon manajer Aston Villa.

Frank Rijkaard masuk bursa menjadi salah satu calon manajer Aston Villa, demikian Daily Star.

Klub asal kota Birmingham itu masih mencari sosok manajer yang pas setelah Gerard Houllier mundur karena masalah kesehatan. Pendekatan Villa terhadap manajer Wigan Athletic Roberto Martinez gagal membuahkan hasil sehingga mereka harus mencari kandidat pengganti.

Rijkaard, eks pelatih Galatasaray dan Barcelona, menyatakan takkan menolak jika ditawari posisi tersebut. Di bursa taruhan, saingan Rijkaard adalah Simon Grayson. Villa dikabarkan telah mendekati sejumlah manajer seperti Mark Hughes, Rafa Benitez, David Moyes, dan Owen Coyle.

http://www.goal.com/id-ID/news/1108/sepakbola-inggris/2011/06/12/2528634/frank-rijkaard-takkan-tolak-aston-villa

[Andi Istiabudi]

Wah masa pelatih sarat pengalaman seperti Frank Rijkaard melatih Aston Villa ? Agak kurang pas gimana gitu ...

[iamsetia]

setelah latih aston villa pindah ke united ya om Rijkaard :wowcaem:

[Andi Istiabudi]

setelah latih aston villa pindah ke united ya om Rijkaard :wowcaem:


Hmmm gak yakin deh Rijkaard bakal melatih United. Saya lebih yakin Guardiola atau Mourinho yang lebih berpeluang melatih United tapi gak tahu juga yach kalau nantinya malah melatih United, hehehe ...

Karir kepelatihan Rijkaard cukup sukses di Barcelona, sayang saat melatih timnas Belanda kurang beruntung.

[iamsetia]

Hmmm gak yakin deh Rijkaard bakal melatih United. Saya lebih yakin Guardiola atau Mourinho yang lebih berpeluang melatih United tapi gak tahu juga yach kalau nantinya malah melatih United, hehehe ...

Karir kepelatihan Rijkaard cukup sukses di Barcelona, sayang saat melatih timnas Belanda kurang beruntung.

penginnya sih om :peace: Rijkaard membawa gaya permainan total footballnya ke united.. + pemain negara kincir anginnya sekalian. krn kita udah gak punya lagi pemain belanda disquad.. saya yakin united bakalan suksesitangan Rijkaard ketimbang dilatih oleh guardiola dan mourinho..:-? entah deh om.. >:D<

[Andi Istiabudi]

iamsetia :
Selama ini sih sepertinya belum pernah ada wacana Frank Rijkaard melatih United. Mereka yang namanya sering disebut-sebut bakal menggantikan Sir Alex Ferguson adalah Jose Mourindo, Pep Guardiola, David Moyes dan Ole Solksjaer. Coba dibuat thread "Frank Rijkaard for United" aja, hehehe ...

[iamsetia]

Coba dibuat thread "Frank Rijkaard for United" aja, hehehe ...


kurang bahan om.. heheh gag brani. ;;)

[Andi Istiabudi]

Jiahh Gullit gagal lagi deh dalam karir kepelatihannya ....

Ruud Gullit Dipecat Terek Grozny

Bola.net - Legenda sepak bola asal Belanda Ruud Gullit dipecat dari posisinya sebagai pelatih klub Rusia Terek Grozny setelah kalah 0-1 dari rival mereka di Liga Rusia, FK Amkar Perm, Selasa (14/6) waktu setempat.

Terek yang hanya sekali menang dalam enam laga terakhirnya dan berada satu tingkat di atas zona degradasi, kalah di Zvezda Stadium berkat gol bunuh diri pada menit akhir dari bek Sergey Omelyanchuk.

Presiden klub yang juga pemimpin Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov sebelum pertandingan memang telah memberi ultimatum pada Gullit bahwa mantan pelatih Chelsea itu hanya punya satu pertandingan untuk menyelamatkan karirnya di Terek.

Menurut Kadyrov, selama ini Gullit "lebih banyak memikirkan bar dan diskotek" daripada sepak bola sehingga tak mampu mengangkat prestasi Terek.

"Gullit bukan lagi pelatih Terek," kata Kadyrov pada Interfax, "Dia tak mampu membuktikan dirinya sebagai pelatih berkualitas. Di bawah kepemimpinannya, tim bermain di bawah harapan dan sangat buruk musim ini,"

Gullit sendiri mengakui ia sudah tahu akan dipecat, bahkan andai ia mampu membawa Terek mengalahkan Perm. "Saya tak berpikir hasil ini akan berpengaruh, entah itu menang atau kalah,"

Pelatih berusia 48 tahun yang pernah dua kali menjadi Pemain Terbaik Dunia saat masih aktif bermain itu bergabung dengan Terek pada bulan Januari. Ia hanya melakoni 12 pertandingan bersama Terek dengan hasil tiga kemenangan. (afp/zul)

Source : http://www.bola.net

[Andi Istiabudi]

Gullit: Pemecatan Saya Ibarat Lelucon

Bola.net - Sudah hampir sepekan Ruud Gullit dipecat klub Rusia, Terek Grozny, namun hingga kini ia masih merasa terkejut akan hal itu - momen yang dianggapnya ibarat sebuah lelucon.

Legenda Belanda itu dilengserkan dari posisinya setelah hanya lima bulan memimpin klub, menyusul kekalahan Terek 1-0 dari Amkar Perm - hasil yang membuat mereka berada di posisi ketiga dari bawah dengan hanya mengemas tiga kemenangan dari 13 laga.

Presiden Terek, Ramzan Kadyrov sudah memperingatkan Gullit jika kekalahan akan membuat posisinya dicopot, setelah ia juga mengeluh bahwa mantan manajer Chelsea itu lebih perhatian pada 'bar dan disko'.

Dan Gullit yang mengklaim mengetahui pemecatannya dari media Belanda, merasa situasi itu ibarat sebuah pentas lawak.

"Ini semua sebuah kisah yang gila," ungkap pelatih berusia 48 tahun itu pada AD Sportwereld.

"Saya tak tahu jika saya sudah dipecat, tapi saya sudah katakan selamat tinggal. Saya sungguh harus tertawa. Saya tahu jika itu bukan negara biasa dan bukan liga sepak bola biasa, tapi semua ini terlalu aneh untuk dikatakan."

"Pertama, sang presiden mengancam saya, kemudian kami kalah oleh gol bunuh diri di menit akhir dan saya mengetahui dari Belanda jika saya dipecat. Apa yang bisa saya lakukan selain melihat lelucon dalam semua ini?"

"Saya tahu jika saya akan diusir bahkan jika kami menang," imbuhnya.

Namun demikian, Gullit mengaku tak menyesal menerima pekerjaan itu.

"Saya tak menyesal. Setidaknya kehadiran saya menempatkan Terek Grozny di peta - tak seorang pun pernah mendengar tentang klub tersebut," sindirnya. (afp/row)

Source : http://www.bola.net

[Andi Istiabudi]

Wah sepertinya makin banyak mantan bintang dunia yang berkecimpung dalam sepakbola kawasan Arab ...

Rijkaard likely to coach Saudi soccer team
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) is expected to officially announce the appointment of former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard of the Netherlands to train the Saudi national team.

Unconfirmed reports say that SAFF has recently reached a final agreement with the 48-year-old coach to manage the Saudi team for three years. However, Saudi Gazette’s efforts to reach Mohammed Al-Shihri, the recently appointed director of media planning and public relations department at SAFF, did not get the response.

Among the top Asian teams, Saudi Arabia has been without a coach since it crashed out of the Asian Cup in January. It signed a deal with Brazilian Ricardo Gomes but canceled it after he violated the terms of the contract, particularly that which is related to his arrival to the Kingdom. As a temporary solution, SAFF tasked Gomes’s compatriot Ruggiero Morris Lorenzo, who was coaching the Saudi youth team, to manage the Saudi national team until it finds a suitable manager. Rijkaard, whose last coaching assignment was at the Turkish club Galatasaray, is expected to a sign the contract in a European capital Thursday.

Rijkaard was fired by Barcelona in 2008 after five years with the club, despite leading the team to two Spanish titles and a 2006 Champions League triumph.

He began his coaching career when he was appointed manager of the Netherlands national football team in 1998. During the 2001–02 season, he became manager of Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie, the oldest professional team in the country. Under Rijkaard’s leadership, the club was relegated to the first division for the first time in its history, and he was consequently fired. After leaving Sparta Rotterdam, he was appointed manager of Barcelona for the 2003–04 season.

He became the first Barcelona coach to have won twice at Real Madrid’s stadium Santiago Bernabeu and Rijkaard was among the five nominated coaches for UEFA’s Team of the Year 2005. On 8 March 2006 he was also honored by UEFA for his contributions to the European Cup Competition throughout his career as player and manager.

Rijkaard also achieved success on the European stage winning the 2005–06 Champions League, with a 2-1 win against Arsenal in the final. On 8 May 2008, the day after Barcelona’s dismal 4-1 defeat to archrival Real Madrid, Rijkaard was succeeded by Josep Guardiola. On 5 June 2009, Rijkaard signed a two-year contract to manage the Turkish giants Galatasaray, following the resignation of Bulent Korkmaz two days earlier.

Source : http://www.saudigazette.com.sa

[Andi Istiabudi]

Manyisa's out of this world: Ruud Gullit
Ramatsiyi Moholoa

TWO-TIME World Player of the Year and Dutch soccer legend Ruud Gullit has fallen in love with Orlando Pirates utility player Oupa "Ace" Manyisa.

Speaking at the end of the inaugural Carling Black Label Cup at Soccer City on Saturday, Gullit said he was highly impressed by the immense talent of Manyisa.

"That player wearing jersey number 20 for Orlando Pirates (Manyisa), sorry I don't remember his name, is something out of this world. He was comfortable on the ball, he knows what to do when he is in possession," said Gullit, who is also ambassador of the new competition featuring Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.

Gullit described the event as a unique and amazing initiative that gives supporters a chance to have a say in the selection of the team.

"This is a great and historic tournament, it is all about doing something for the fans by Carling Black Label and the two football clubs," he said. "It is good that charity is also benefiting as part of the money won by (two) lucky fans goes to charity organisations of their choice."

Gullit is happy that South African amateur soccer coaches are also benefitting from the new tournament since Safa uses it as a vehicle to develop them.

"It is good that the tournament includes the aspect of developing South African coaches."

Safa technical director Serame Letsoaka is in charge of the project to develop coaches.

Commenting on the rise of Bafana Bafana after the 2010 World Cup, Gullit said he was happy to see the South African senior soccer team doing well and topping their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group.

"Bafana Bafana are on the verge of qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals, it's great for development of South African football.

"I love South Africa and wish Bafana Bafana all the best."

Manyisa, who was recruited and given the nickname "Ace" by Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala, said: "It's a great honour to hear that Ruud is highly impressed."

Source : http://www.sowetanlive.co.za

[Andi Istiabudi]

Van Basten Sebut Elia Rekrutan Terbaik Juve

Bola.net - Marco Van Basten memberi selamat kepada Juventus karena berhasil mendapatkan talenta muda berbakat dari Belanda, Eljero Elia.

Mantan winger Hamburg SV tersebut dibeli dengan harga sebesar 9 juta Euro di musim panas ini dan legenda AC Milan tersebut menyebut bahwa Juve telah melakukan transaksi yang cukup cerdas.

"Dia adalah pemain yang sangat cepat," ujar Van Basten.

"Dia memiliki dribbling yang sangat bagus dan dia memiliki kemampuan yang cukup baik dalam situasi one on one."

"Dia sering melewati lawan-lawannya."

Elia memang merupakan pemain yang memang sangat diinginkan oleh pelatih Juve, Antonio Conte dalam skema 4-4-2 yang diusungnya.

"Dia adalah pemain yang dapat memberikan perbedaan dalam klub yang dibelanya," tambah mantan peraih Golden Ball tersebut.

"Namun, dia harus dibiarkan bebas berkreasi agar dapat menunjukkan kemampuan terbaiknya," tandas Van Basten. (foti/end)

Source : http://www.bola.net

[Andi Istiabudi]

Wah Van Basten bakal melatih lagi nih sepertinya ...

Agent: Van Basten will consider offer

Former Netherlands coach Marco Van Basten has been speculated to take over Bundesliga side Hamburg after Michael Oenning was dismissed.

http://www.espnstar.com/servlet/file/677528_33_preview.jpg?ITEM_ENT_ID=677528&ITEM_VERSION=1&COLLSPEC_ENT_ID=10&FILE_SERVICE_CONF_ID=33

Rodolfo Cardoso has been appointed interim manager meanwhile, but the club's board have been searching for an experienced manager to turn the club's dismal start to the season around.

Van Basten has been mentioned in connection to the job vacancy and his agent, Perry Overeem, has declared that the legendary striker is willing to consider the offer.

He told Die Welt: "We will look at every serious offer. Hamburg should contact us, we will definitely listen to what they have to say."

Van Basten led the Dutch football team to a quarter-final finish in the Euro 2008 before moving on to coach Ajax Amsterdam. He left management in 2009 and is currently a pundit with Sports1 and has indicated an interest in returning to management since.

Source : http://www.espnstar.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Salah satu pemain idola saya saat kecil, hehe ...

Van Basten Dalam Proses 'Comeback' ke Ajax

Bola.net - Legenda Belanda, Marco van Basten dikabarkan tengah kian dekat untuk kembali ke klub lamanya, Ajax dengan menjabat sebagai Direktur Teknik.

Mantan pemain Ajax di musim 1982-1987 ini mengakui ia juga tertarik untuk kembali ke Amsterdam setelah Johan Cruyff mengungkapkan kalau dirinya ingin van Basten datang dan mengisi posisi itu.

Pemain yang bersinar kala membela AC Milan ini kini tengah dalam proses pembicaraan dengan dewan eksekutif Ajax, di mana Cruyff tercatat sebagai anggota dari dewan tersebut. Pihak klub sendiri ingin eks striker mereka itu menjabat Direktur Teknik yang kini tengah diduduki Danny Blind. Namun, menurut kabar yang beredar di Belanda, van Basten lebih menginginkan sebagai CEO, sebuah posisi yang sama dengan Karl-Heinz Rummenigge di Bayern Munich, atau Adriano Galliani di AC Milan.

"Saya bisa meneruskan hidup dan bekerja di Amsterdam, yang mana itu merupakan sebuah keuntungan," kata van Basten pada AD Sportweireld.

"Tapi saya tidak terburu-buru dan untungnya masih ada Johan Cruyff di sana," tegasnya. (scn/mxm)

Source : http://www.bola.net

[Andi Istiabudi]

Tanya-jawab dengan Gullit nih seputar sepakbola :D

Gullit names Liverpool legends

EXCLUSIVE: Ruud Gullit has picked his favourite players from the Premier League era, naming two Englishmen who embodied sexy football.

Who was your footballing hero as a boy?

Johan Cruyff. It was the same for any kid growing up in Holland at that time.

Who was the most talented player you ever played with?

Marco van Basten.

Outside of football, who is the person you most admire and why?

Nelson Mandela. I don't think I need to tell you why!

What player that has graced the Premier League in the past 20 years stands out for you and why?

That's a really tough question because there have been so many great players. I'll name some English players. I like Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp. Before the Premier League. I loved Glenn Hoddle. We admired him when people in England didn't. He was a different type of footballer. Kevin Keegan and Paul Gascoigne also.

And who is your favourite player at the moment?

Lionel Messi stands on his own above everybody at the moment. There is nobody who comes close to him. Looking back, he is compared to Maradona, but Maradona was a different player, a leader. Messi is just unbelievable, so skilful. He is so young and has so much time to go.

Ruud Gullit was speaking to Yahoo!'s 'The Dugout' through its partnership with the League Managers Association

Source : http://asia.eurosport.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Wah batal donk Van Basten balik ke Ajax, sayang banget ...

Marco van Basten: I will not return to Ajax as director of football
By Subhankar Mondal

The former AC Milan striker was locked in talks with the club’s board over an executive role at the Amsterdam ArenA, but no agreement has been reached between the two parties

http://u.goal.com/145300/145384hp2.jpg

Dutch legend Marco van Basten has announced that he will not return to his former club Ajax in an executive role following the breakdown in negotiations.

The 46-year-old had been engaged in talks with the Amsterdam-based club’s advisory board that includes Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff, and had initially appeared optimistic of reaching an agreement over a football director’s role.

However, Van Basten has now revealed that discussions between the two parties have ended without any productive conclusion being attained.

"I have spoken with Ajax and that in itself was interesting,” he told Sport1. "But there were lots of ifs and buts and ultimately they were not easily resolved, so we said forget it."

Van Basten played for the Dutch giants between 1982 and 1987 and was the first team coach in 2008-09.

Source : http://www.goal.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Nasehat seorang legenda Belanda terhadap juniornya nih ...

Van Basten: RvP must never leave the Gunners - Exclusive
By Bill Mills

Robin van Persie must never leave Arsenal.

No other *European club will suit him as much and he will not enjoy his football as much if he leaves the Emirates.

That is the advice Dutch legend Marco van Basten is giving the *Arsenal striker.

Van Basten, the former *Holland coach, has a good relationship with Van Persie and, Arsene Wenger apart, knows him better than *anyone in football.

Van Basten, who in his playing days quit Ajax to achieve glory with AC Milan, said: “Robin must not leave Arsenal. You can’t compare my situation at Ajax. The big difference is that Robin is *already at a big club.

“Robin has been in London for six years. He can’t help it that *Arsenal have won *nothing in that time.

“So much has changed in those six years in the Premier League.

“Chelsea have become a big club and have massive *financial resources.

“Manchester City have *become a big force and are richer than any other club.

“Manchester United and *Liverpool have American owners. The amount of money which is flowing to these clubs for transfers is unbelievable. Arsenal operate differently. I admire that.

“And I still think Arsenal are the most beautiful club in *England. At Man City and Chelsea, they will never have that class and style.

“Arsenal have the most *amazing stadium, they have a style of play, they have a *beautiful shirt – in every way I consider Arsenal as the *ultimate football club.

“It is the club where Robin belongs.’’

Van Basten went on: “Do I sound like an *idealist? Maybe I do, but all those things *Arsenal have to offer can play a part in the decision to stay there. The foundations are there.

“It is up to Robin to create *winning ways so Arsenal will be the very best of those big clubs in the top six in England.

“I know Robin can’t do it all on his own.

“But he will have to put pressure on the people in charge, on the board, on the owner, on everyone who is involved in the highest *echelons of the club, that they keep doing the right things for Arsenal, so the team can *compete at the highest level.

“Last year Arsenal still had a really good team and could have gone a long way to *winning the *Premier League title. Now they have lost two pillars from their team in *Fabregas and Nasri.’’

But does Van Persie have the *personality to demand those things from Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke (below) and the board?

Van Basten said: “He has a fantastic personality, he is a leader, a good professional. His behaviour as a pro is *immaculate. He has the authority to get *involved in selection and advise the manager.

“Robin now has to make sure the club makes the right *decisions, so Arsenal will be run properly.”

Van Persie has 18 months remaining on his contract and will be *searching for *indications of what his *future could hold with Arsenal.

Van Basten explained: “It is very plain and clear.

“He can say to *Arsenal: ‘I can leave or I can stay. Just tell me: Do you want to go for bigger things with me? Yes? Then you will have to invest. If you don’t want to, that’s fine, but then I am going’.

“Arsenal are a really big club.

“With a few more *top- quality players around him, Robin will improve his chances when it comes to winning things and being successful.’’

Source : http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk

[irfi_1]

om frank rijkaard sudah akur blm ya sama om rudi voller?
:)>-

[Andi Istiabudi]

Sebagai mantan pemain dan pelatih Chelsea, wajar Gullit kecewa :D

Gullit: Chelsea Mengecewakan di Liga Champions

Bola.net - Mantan pelatih Chelsea, Ruud Gullit menyebut bahwa dia sangat tidak terkesan dengan sepak terjang the Blues di Liga Champions musim ini.

Chelsea yang hanya mampu meraih dua kemenangan, seri dua kali dan juga satu kali hasil kalah kini harus berjuang ekstra keras di pertandingan terakhir ketika menghadapi Valencia agar dapat lolos ke babak selanjutnya.

Gullit, yang juga pernah menjadi pemain di Stamford Bridge ini merasa bahwa Chelsea seharusnya bisa melakukan yang lebih baik lagi, karena mereka memiliki skuad yang kuat dan juga berpengalaman.

"Mereka belum menunjukkan kelasnya di pentas Eropa. Saya sungguh terkejut," ujar Gullit pada Sunday Mirror.

"Hampir semua pemain mereka berpengalaman di level Liga Champions. Mereka seharusnya mampu menampilkan yang jauh lebih baik dari saat ini."

Selain menyoroti hasil buruk Chelsea, pelatih berusia 49 tahun tersebut juga menyoroti regenerasi pemain di skuad asuhan Andre Villas-Boas tersebut.

"Di Chelsea, mereka sibuk mengganti keseluruhan tim yang biasa dipakai untuk sukses. Mereka punya pekerjaan besar."

"Karena Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, John Terry, dan Frank Lampard sudah memenangi banyak trofi, tak mudah untuk mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada mereka," jelasnya.

"Seperti yang dikatakan oleh Fernando Torres, tim ini terlalu tua. Memang tidak pantas dia membicarakan rekan-rekan setimnya, tapi apa yang dia bilang benar," tegas Gullit. (fty/end)

Source : http://www.bola.net

[Andi Istiabudi]

Sang legenda Belanda tampaknya tidak rela jika mantan klubnya salah melepas pemain ...

Van Basten: Sebuah Kesalahan Jika Milan Jual Pato

Bola.net - Legenda dari AC Milan, Marco van Basten, meminta mantan klubnya itu untuk membuang jauh-jauh keinginan mereka untuk melego Alexandre Pato keluar dari San Siro.

Masa depan bocah asal Brasil itu sempat menjadi pertanyaan setelah ia melakukan argumentasi panas dengan pelatih saat ini Max Allegri, keduanya sempat sama-sama sedikit tegang Minggu kemarin.

Pato akhirnya dihubungkan dengan gosip kepindahan ke PSG, guna bereuni dengan dua orang yang pernah begitu dekat dengannya Leonardo serta Carlo Ancelotti.

Namun kini, Van Basten mantan bintang Rossoneri asal Belanda ikut nimbrung sumbang komentar, dirinya meminta Milan tidak tergesa-gesa dalam ambil keputusan menyangkut Pato.

"Pato masih muda, dia tipikal pemain kuat yang akan bisa mencetak banyak gol," ucap sang mantan striker Iblis Merah tersebut, "Akan menjadi sebuah kesalahan besar jika dia dijual,"

"Saya pikir hanya karena masalah finansial yang pelik sebagai alasan klubnya boleh menjualnya, selain hal itu alasan apa pun saya lihat tidak akan bisa diterima untuk melepasnya,"

Sejauh musim ini berjalan Pato masih mengalami gangguan kebugaran, Dia baru mencetak 1 gol dari 8 laga di Serie A, sementara di Liga Champions 2 gol dari 3 laga yang ia ikuti. (foti/lex)

[Andi Istiabudi]

Wah rupanya Gullit pesimis dengan penunjukan Mark Hughes sebagai pelatih QPR ..

Appointing Mark Hughes at QPR is a quick fix, not the long-term solution
Simon Johnson

Ruud Gullit today warned Queens Park Rangers that appointing his former Chelsea team-mate is not guaranteed to halt their slide down the Premier League.

New boss Mark Hughes met the Rangers players yesterday and takes charge for the first time on Sunday when QPR travel to resurgent Newcastle.

But Gullit counselled caution today when asked his verdict on Hughes, a player who joined Chelsea on the same day as him 1995 and who then went on to play under the Dutchman when he was made manager at Stamford Bridge.

He told Standard Sport: "When you change managers in the middle of a season, in the first matches there is always a change. Naturally there is a bit of a response from the players and there is a new energy. But all of a sudden it tends not to happen any more. The League Managers' Association has done a report which shows this.

"It is a quick fix, not a long-term solution, most of the time. That is what the figures say and they don't lie. You always hope that things go better but it doesn't necessarily happen. Most of the time it doesn't go better over the long-term than it was in the first place. It is a gamble, changing manager always is. The people in the boardroom don't know how it is going to work out. They just hope it will go well."

With the club just one point above the relegation zone, owner Tony Fernandes argues he had no choice but to remove Warnock. And having seen Sunderland win five of their seven games since they sacked Steve Bruce and appointed Martin O'Neill last month, Fernandes will be hoping for a similar effect at Loftus Road.

Gullit rates his former team-mate highly and has been impressed by his work with Wales, Blackburn, Manchester City and Fulham. But with Rangers having gone eight League games without a win, Gullit knows Hughes's managerial talents face a tough examination. He said: "Hughes has done well as a coach, looks reliable and is a great guy. He is the kind of manager that can turn results around in this situation, I hope he can.

"But the question is whether the quality of players are good enough. Even with Hughes there instead of Warnock, it's still going to be a hard task.

"I don't know the ins and outs of QPR and the reason why they have sacked Warnock. The club have said some things but no one knows what has happened internally.

"As a manager, the only certainty is that you will be sacked. The owners decide what to do with the club because it is all up to them but sometimes they could show more patience.

"Staying in the Premier League has become the main prize for a lot of clubs. Maybe QPR looked at what has happened at Sunderland since O'Neill has come in and that is what made them think about doing it. Clubs don't want to leave it too late if they're thinking of making the change. They'd rather do it now when they have four months left to do something."

One club who have stood by their man is Blackburn. Gullit admires the way Rovers have ignored supporters' protests against Steve Kean and believes the bottom-of-the-table club could benefit in the long run.

"The fans are obviously desperate to get him out but the board has a lot of trust in him," said the Dutchman. "He had a great result at Manchester United over Christmas, which they needed, and sometimes things like this can help change things around.

"Maybe with a little more patience like this things can change for a manager and his team but it all depends on the relationship between the manager and the players, the board also."

Warnock's relationship was clearly not as strong as he thought at Loftus Road. Hughes will hope for better fortune.

* Ruud Gullit is one of the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy who volunteer their time to act as global ambassadors for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Laureus have a mission to use sport as a means to combat some of the world's toughest social challenges and the Dutch legend's work on their behalf took him to Johannesburg earlier this year.

Among the projects supported by Laureus, who have raised £40million to improve the lives of more than 1.5million young people, is the Track Academy at Willesden Sports Centre, North London, which helps children fulfil their potential. It was set up by former British triple jump star Connie Henry, who who won a bronze at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

She said: "Children growing up in Brent are under pressure to join gangs, run drugs and become involved in crime. Track Academy provides an alternative to this and I am delighted Laureus are supporting us."

This year's prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards will take place in London on February 6 and will be broadcast on Sky 1 three days later.

Source : http://www.thisislondon.co.uk

[Andi Istiabudi]

Wah Van Basten ternyata berminat berkarir di Premier League. Mantab !!! :)

MARCO VAN BASTEN EYES PREMIER JOB
By David Woods

MARCO VAN BASTEN has issued a ‘come and get me’ alert by revealing he wants a job in the Premier League.

Former Holland and Ajax coach van Basten has been out of the game for two years but is now keen to start working again.

“I will make no secret of the fact that one of my ambitions is to work one day in the Premier League,” he told Champions magazine.

“Maybe that day will come soon. Who knows?”

Van Basten, 47, played for Ajax and Milan as well as the Dutch national team and is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest strikers to grace the game.

Source : http://www.dailystar.co.uk

[Andi Istiabudi]

Ada-ada saja nih komentar sang legenda Belanda ini.
Btw, rambut Gullit sudah tidak segimbal dulu yach ? Hehehe ... :D

Gullit : Rambut Conte Bisa Rontok Urus Juventus
Ary Wibowo | Tjatur Wiharyo

ROMA, KOMPAS.com - Pemain legendaris Belanda, Ruud Gullit, mengakui bahwa kiprah Juventus di Serie-A musim ini sangat baik. Ia menilai, peningkatan performa "La Vecchia Signora" tersebut sangat dipengaruhi pelatih Antonio Conte.

Gullit mengakui, perebutan gelar juara Serie-A musim ini memang cukup berat bagi Juventus. Mantan pemain AC Milan itu juga berkelakar dengan mengatakan, rambut Conte bisa rontok untuk kedua kalinya demi menjadikan Juventus juara. Conte sebelumnya memang dikabarkan telah mentransplantasi rambutnya sejak usianya menginjak 30.

"Jadi, sekarang Conte harus memerhatikan rambutnya itu. Stres yang diakibatkan beratnya perebutan juara musim ini, bisa mengakibatkan rambutnya hilang lagi. Apalagi perebutan itu akan bisa lebih sulit musim depan," kelakar Gullit seperti dilansir Football Italia.

Conte bergabung bersama Juventus, menggantikan Luigi Del Neri akhir musim lalu. Selama masa kepelatihannya, Juventus belum pernah terkalahkan musim ini. Del Piero dan kawan-kawan pun sukses menduduki puncak klasemen, unggul satu angka dari pesaing terberatnya, AC Milan di posisi kedua.

"Saya rasa Juventus lebih baik untuk memenangkan Scudetto musim ini, meskipun Milan juga merupakan tim yang bagus," kata Gullit menanggapi peluang juara Juventus.

[Andi Istiabudi]

Wenger dulu kan rival Gullit waktu dirinya melatih Chelsea dan Newcastle :D

Gullit: Arsenal Tak Bisa Tiru Barca

Bola.net - Mantan pemain legendaris AC Milan, Ruud Gullit, mengkritik hasil yang diraih Arsenal pada leg pertama babak 16 besar Liga Champions.

Arsenal kalah telak empat gol tanpa balas dari tuan rumah AC Milan pekan lalu di San Siro dan harus menang dengan selisih lima gol pada leg kedua di Emirates bila ingin lolos ke perempat final.

Menurut Gullit, tim-tim Italia, termasuk Milan, musim ini tampil lebih agresif dan mampu menunjukkan kualitas mereka di kompetisi Eropa.

"[Klub asal] Italia lebih agresif dan bermain lebih cepat, mereka kini berada satu langkah di depan," kata Gullit seperti dilansir Tribal Football.

"Filosofi sepak bola [Arsene] Wenger sama seperti filosofi FC Barcelona, dengan pemain yang tak terlalu besar, berteknik dan kemampuan tinggi,"

"Tapi Barcelona berdiri sendiri dan permainan mereka tak bisa ditiru, karena filosofi tersebut ada pada darah mereka," tegas Gullit. (tri/zul)

[Andi Istiabudi]

Artikel Kompas tentang sosok Gullit :)

Gullit, Euro 1988, dan Whitney Houston
Hery Prasetyo

http://assets.kompas.com/data/photo/2012/04/02/0445574620X310.jpg

SEBELUM final Piala Eropa (Euro) 1988 di Jerman pada 25 Juni, ternyata Belanda tidak dalam situasi serius dan tegang. Kapten tim, Ruud Gullit, bahkan mengorganisasi rekan-rekannya untuk berpesta, juga menonton konser Whitney Houston. Namun, ternyata Belanda akhirnya juara.

Tak heran, Gullit merasa ini peristiwa istimewa sepanjang hidup dan karier sepak bolanya. Apalagi, saat itu ia menjadi harapan besar Belanda. Ia memiliki beban terbesar. Selain menjadi kapten dan motor tim, Gullit baru saja menerima Ballon d'Or 1987 dan 1988.

Namun, Gullit mampu menanggung semua beban dan membawa Belanda ke final melawan Uni Soviet (sekarang Rusia), meski ia masih dililit rasa kelelahan sehabis mengikuti kompetisi bersama klubnya, AC Milan. Sebelumnya, Gullit dkk menundukkan tuan rumah Jerman Barat 2-1 di semifinal.

Rusia bukan lawan mudah. Di babak penyisihan Grup B, Belanda sudah kalah 0-1 dari mereka.

Namun, Gullit tampil taktis di partai penentuan itu, dan sudah kembali menemukan permainan terbaiknya. Dia tetap menjadi motor yang menentukan dalam total football racikan Pelatih Rinus Michels.

Setelah alot, Gullit pula yang memecah kebuntuan. Pada menit ke-32, dia membobol gawang Uni Soviet. Permainan Belanda pun semakin memesona. Marco van Basten menambah gol di menit ke-54. Kemudian kiper Belanda, Hans van Breukelen, menggagalkan tendangan penalti Igor Belanov. Akhirnya, Belanda pun menang 2-0, sekaligus menjuarai Piala Eropa untuk pertama kalinya.

Ini kemenangan besar, mengingat Belanda selalu memiliki tim bagus tapi tak pernah juara di turnamen besar, baik Piala Eropa maupun Piala Dunia. Maka, Belanda pun merasakan kegembiraan luar biasa.

"Ini seperti dalam film. Kami meraih trofi, kemudian menjadi 'gila'. Seolah semua terjadi secara tiba-tiba," kata Gullit kepada uefa.com, mengenang keberhasilan timnya di Piala Eropa 1988.

Terlalu banyak kegembiraan yang ia alami, juga semua rekannya dan rakyat Belanda. Bahkan, saking banyaknya hal indah waktu itu, Gullit mengaku seperti terkena amnesia. Banyak hal yang dia lupakan.

"Benarkah ini terjadi (juara Piala Eropa)? Banyak hal yang tak bisa saya ingat," aku Gullit yang kini berumur 49 tahun.

"Lucunya, permainan terbaik kami terjadi saat melawan Uni Soviet di penyisihan grup dan kami kalah 0-1. Mereka mencetak gol lewat serangan balik. Sangat sulit menerimanya. Sebab, kami merasa bermain lebih baik, tapi tak bisa mencetak gol. Sejak saat itu, kami terpacu untuk terus menang," tuturnya.

Sebagai bintang utama, Gullit merasa mendapat tekanan berat, terutama setelah kalah dari Uni Soviet. "Tekanan kepada saya semakin berat, karena saya bermain bagus di musim kompetisi tahun itu. Setiap orang mengharapkan saya menunjukkan permainan terbaik seperti di klub. Tapi, saya merasa kelelahan. Saya tak bisa menunjukkan permainan terbaik di awal turnamen," akunya.

Beruntung, Marco van Basten yang juga bintang utama Belanda, tak dililit kelelahan. Gullit mengatakan, "Untungnya begitu. Van Basten justru sedang dalam bentuk permainan terbaik. Maka, yang bisa saya lakukan adalah sesering mungkin mengirim bola kepadanya. Saat melawan Inggris, saya memberi dia dua umpan dan langsung dikonversi Van Basten menjadi gol."

Tentang kemenangan atas tuan rumah Jerman di semifinal, Gullit juga merasakan itu sangat membahagiakan dan membanggakan. "Menang lawan Jerman di negeri mereka merupakan prestasi yang sulit dipercaya. Kami kemudian merasa tak terkalahkan. Setelah melihat semua foto dan berita di surat kabar, ada perasaan aneh. Kami tak menyadari sehebat itu. Tapi, setelah itu, kami baru menyadari dan melakukan pekerjaan dengan baik," ujarnya.

Apa yang dilakukan para pemain Belanda setelah menang lawan Jerman di smeifinal?

"Saya mengorganisasi semua pemain, istri pemain, wartawan, suporter, dan siapa saja untuk berpesta di diskotik. Dan, perlu di ingat, sehari sebelum final, kami menonton konser Whitney Houston. Bisakah Anda membayangkannya? Maka, pada hari final kami mengatakan, 'Lihat, kita sudah puas dengan pesta. Kita juga sudah menonton Whitney Houston. Sekarang, kita di sini (final) untuk meraih trofi'," ungkapnya.

Lalu, partai final pun dimulai pada 25 Juni 1988. "Saat itu aku sudah kembali pada permainan terbaik. Meski banyak pesta dan menonton Whitney Houston, setelah itu aku tidur sangat lama. Pelatih Rinus Michels tahu hal itu. Maka, sebelum final dia mengatakan, 'Kamu boleh mengambil tendangan bebas karena sudah merasa baik lagi.' Itu sangat membantu dan kemudian saya mencetak gol, tak lama setelah melakukan tendangan bebas yang baik tapi digagalkan kiper Soviet, Rinat Desaev. Soviet juga dalam bentuk permainan terbaik. Maka, partai final sangat ketat. Lalu, Van Basten juga mencetak gol," tuturnya.

"Kami kemudian kembali ke Belanda dengan membawa trofi kebesaran. Saya punya ide agar pesawat berputar-putar di atas Kota Eindhoven dulu untuk menyambut rakyat yang bahagia dan pesta bersama," tambah Gullit.

Kenangan indah yang penuh kisah. Bahkan, Gullit merasakan terlalu banyak kebahagiaan yang ia dapat setelah juara itu, hingga ia sampai lupa beberapa bagian kisahnya. Namun, kisah utamanya tetap akan terpatri di memorinya, menjadi monumen termegah dalam hidupnya. Pesta sebelum partai final dan menyaksikan konser Whitney Houston menjadi bagian dari episode kesuksesan besar kariernya, juga sepak bola Belanda.

Data Gullit
Nama: Ruud Dil/Gullit
Tempat Tanggal Lahir: Amsterdam, Belanda, 1 September 1962
Tinggi: 1,86 meter
Posisi: Gelandang serang, striker, pemain sayap
Karier: HFC Haarlem (1979–1982), Feyenoord (1982–1985), PSV Eindhoven (1985–1987), AC Milan (1987–1993), Sampdoria (1993–1994), AC Milan (1994–1995), Sampdoria (1994–1995/dipinjam), Chelsea (1995–1998)
Karier pelatih: Chelsea (1996–1998), Newcastle United (1998–1999), Feyenoord (2004–2005), Los Angeles Galaxy (2007–2008), Terek Grozny (2011)

Gelar Sebagai Pemain
Juara Eerste Divisie 1981 (Haarlem)
Juara Eredivisie 1984, Piala KNVB 1984 (Feyenoord)
Juara Eredivisie 1986, 1987 (PSV Eindhoven
Juara Serie-A 1988, 1992, 1993 (AC Milan)
Juara Piala Super Italia 1988, 1992, 1994 (AC Milan)
Juara Liga Champions 1988-89, 1989-90 (AC Milan)
Juara Piala Super Eropa 1989, 1990 (AC Milan)
Juara Piala Interkontinental 1989, 1990 (AC Milan)
Juara Coppa Italia 1994 (Sampdoria)
Juara Piala FA 1997 (Cheslsea)
Netherland
Juara Piala Eropa 1988 (Belanda)

Sebagai Pelatih
Juara Piala FA 1997 (Chelsea)

Gelar Individu
Pemain Terbaik Belanda 1981, 1984, 1986
Top skorer Piala Belanda 1984 (9 gol)
Peraih Sepatu Emas Liga Belanda 1986 (24 gol)
Olahragawan Terbaik Belanda 1987
Ballon d'Or 1987
Pemain Terbaik Dunia versi World Soccer Magazine 1987, 1989
Pemain Tebaik Chelsea 1996