Neeskens Johan is a former Dutch footballer who was born in Hemstead on September 15, 1951. For some time he was a field player, midfielder, and since 1987 he began his coaching career, which he only finished in 2012.
The beginning of sports activities
Neskens Johan was born in North Holland. And he began his career at a local club RKH. It was in 1968. Two years later, Neskens, who was 19 at that time, signed his first professional contract. And of course, the team that invited him to their ranks was Ajax. Rinus Michels, who was the club’s coach at that time, was very impressed with how Johan wielded the ball. He was a really great right-back. Because he immediately began to release as a player the basics.
And the young Dutchman won his first trophy in 1971. It was the Champions Cup. “Ajax” in the final beat FC “Panathinaikos”.
The next season, the young player changed his position - he became the central midfielder. And in 1974 he went to FC Barcelona after his former (and goes, became the current) teammate Johan Cruyff. By the way, the coach, Rinus Michels, also left earlier in “Barcelona”. And since the team already had a football player with the same name as Neeskens, he was given the nickname Johan Second (that is, the second).
Further career
In those days, “Barcelona” was not as successful a club as it is now. Because Neeskens won with this team only two trophies - the Spanish Cup in 1978, and then the UEFA Cup Winners Cup. In that final, Barcelona beat Fortuna.
In 1979, Johan Neeskens was invited to the American club "Cosmos" (New York). There the Dutchman spent five years. He played with athletes such as Franz Beckenbauer, Vladislav Bogichevich, Carlos Alberto. In 1980, he won the US title with the club. And he ended his career as a field player in FC Zug (Switzerland). In addition, he also played in “Groningen” (Netherlands), in FC “Baar” and “Levenbrau”, as well as in “Fort Lauderdale Sun” and “Minnesota Strikers” (the last two listed clubs are American). He completed the career of Neskens Johan in 1991.
By the way, from 1970 to 1981 he was a player in his national team. In total, he entered the field 49 times (official matches) and scored 17 goals.
Change of activity
Having finished his career as a field player, the former Dutch soccer player decided to become a coach. Although it is worth noting the attention of some interesting fact. As a field player in the Zug and Baar clubs, he was also considered a coach at the same time. So he began this activity back in 1987, if you think so.
At first he worked as an assistant to the head coach of the Dutch national team. And he remained in this position until 2000. Then he decided to leave and became a coach of FC Nijmegen. However, in 2004 he was fired due to poor team results in the championship. But despite this fact, on March 4 of that year, Neskens entered the list of 125 greatest of the living players. The list was announced by Pele himself.
In 2005, he became an assistant to the head coach of the Australian national team. Then she was under the leadership of Guus Hiddink. And in 2006, he returned to FC Barcelona. There he was to become a replacement for Henku ten Kate in the technical headquarters of the team. But in 2008, on May 8, after not the best two seasons, Joan Laporta (who is the president of the Catalan club), said that Rikard and Neeskens leave the club at the end of the 2007/2008 season. After that, Johan also coached the Turkish Galatasaray and the South African Mameldi Sandowns.
Quotes
Johan Neskens is a very interesting person. He has a lot of expressions with deep meaning regarding football. So, for example, he said that football has a very small future, like humanity. He said that this sport was like the sensation of a carefree child who plays on the street. And then a person grows up, he has money, fame, girls. And this is advertising. Football is designed to give indescribable emotions, but now the sport is turning into this very advertisement.
And he did not tire of repeating it. Once he said that he had gone with his wife to Switzerland. He was resting. And local teams called him to their place. However, he did not want professional football. For Johan, the romance of the game and the sensations this process gives are of great value - not fame, not money.
And of course, he assured that the modern generation does not know what real street football is. He is unfamiliar with the children's joy of the game. Now the young generation functions as an adult. It has been fighting for contracts since childhood. And it is visible.
Well, looking at modern sport, we can say that in something Johan was really right. He turned out to be a very far-sighted person.
Team success
And of course, one can’t help but talk about what this athlete has achieved. Firstly, he twice with his national team became the silver medalist of the World Cup. The first time in 1974, and the second in 1978. Also, once he and his team won bronze at the 1976 European Championships.
With “Ajax” Neeskens Johan won such an honorary title as the champion of the Netherlands. And two times. Once they took the second place, and one more - the third. Also, twice with “Ajax” he became the owner of the Netherlands Cup and European Cup (three times). Twice they won the UEFA Super Cup and once the Intercontinental Cup.
With “Barcelona”, he three times became the silver medalist of the championship of Spain. Once occupied the third place in “Example”. They also managed to win the Cup of the country, as well as the Cup of Cup Winners.
With FC New York Cosmos, Johan twice became the champion of NASL. In general, as you can see, he has a lot of team achievements.
Personal achievements
From personal awards - nomination for the “Golden Ball”. And nominated him four times! In 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1978. But they could not win. But on the other hand, it was this person who was recognized as the best foreign footballer of the year in Spain (this is when he defended the colors of the Catalan “Barcelona”). And finally, Neskens is listed on FIFA-100. And this is one of the most significant achievements for any professional specialist.
Now this athlete is 64 years old, and he is no longer engaged in football activities. He completed his coaching career back in 2012. As he himself said: “I played well and made a good career.” So all that the football player wanted, he achieved. And it is commendable.