Top 10 Amazing Facts about Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit 1988. Author Rob C. Croes, National Archives, The Hague, National Photo Archive. Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Ruud Gullit

Enough cannot be said about one of the greatest footballers of his time. Ruud Gullit has been privileged to feature in Pele’s top 100 footballers of all-time list. He played as an attacking midfielder for the famous Italian club A.C. Milan. He was also instrumental in taking Hungary to the semifinals of the World Cup football in 1992. While capable of playing at all positions, he has mainly played as a forward and an attacking midfielder.  He was easily identified on the pitch with his trademark dreadlocks, an intimidating and imposing physique, and physique at 6feet tall and extraordinary skills.

As a stylish and friendly soccer phenomenon, Ruud Gullit was fitted twice as World Football Player of the Year. Let us take a journey through the Top 10 Amazing Facts about Ruud Gulit who excited particularly the 1980s and 1990s generations.

1. Gullit Was Named The European Footballer of The Year and World Soccer Player of the Year

PSV against Feyenoord 1-1 Ruud Gullit in duel with PSV player Heintze, component no. Author Marcel Antonisse / Anefo. Wikimedia Commons

Gullit captained the Netherlands national team that was victorious at UEFA Euro 1988 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 FIFA World Cup and Euro 1992. Subsequently, the now 59 year old retired player and coach were named the European Footballer of the Year in 1987 and the World Soccer Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989. After horning his skills at home in the Netherlands, Gullit played for many other top European teams, remarkably, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, UC Sampdoria, and Chelsea FC.

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2. He Was Capable of Playing Anywhere On The Pitch

Football Pitch. Photo by Bence Balla-Schottner on Unsplash

It is said that goals were his thing. But they weren’t his only thing. As one of the rare talents to ever have graced the world football scene, Gullit was capable of playing anywhere on the pitch, Gullit effectively consolidated his athleticism and daunting physical stature with his agile poise and technical ability. His all-round game helped him establish himself as one of the greatest disciples of the game. It is said that goals were his thing. But they weren’t his only thing

3. He Showed His Interest And Skill In Football At An Early Age

Raised in the school of ‘Total Football’, the Dutchman showed his interest and skill in football at an early age and was selected for the Dutch Youth System while playing for AFC DWS. He improved his skills while at the DYS, and at 16, he was ready to make his debut for HFC Harlem. There is no more information available about

4. He Has Many Accolades To His Name

His distinguished career took him to some of the European top clubs such as AC Milan and Chelsea, and he played a key role in the Holland success at Euro 88. Ruud Gullit was awarded the Dutch Footballer of the Year award twice – once in 1984 and then again in 1986. He also received the Chelsea player of the Year award in 1996.

5. He is Now A Renowned Journalist

As a notable fact about Ruud Gullit, it is worth mentioning that, away from the coaching side of the game  he went into TV after retiring, getting to interview notable figures in sports as well as politics, such as Nelson Mandela.  He has worked as a pundit for many years and continues his work in the media across a number of global sports channels such as Sky Sports, beIN SPORTS and the BBC.

6. He Dedicated His Ballon d’Or in 1987 To Nelson Mandela

Golden ball trophy icon. Author PBrieux. Wikimedia Commons

He used to idolize the great Nelson Mandela. In fact when Gullit received the Ballon d’Or in 1987, he dedicated the award to Mandela. However, for him, this was not politics at all. Rather, ‘it was just a human decision.’

7. He Has Received Praises From  Great Icons Like Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela 1994. Author Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel. Wikimedia Commons

He simply had an unrivalled understanding of the sport. His education of the game allowed him to occupy any role on the pitch, and he could adapt seamlessly to his new surroundings. His reading of the game was second to none, and his ability to be in the right place at the right time was unparalleled.

According to many, Gullit was more than just a footballer; he was a symbol, and one that meant a great many things to different people, not just in his native Netherlands.

Nelson Mandela praised him as “a source of tremendous inspiration for young people, not only in Holland or Europe, but throughout the world.”

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8. He Was Also A Successful Coach

During the final two years of his playing career, Gullit assumed the role of player-manager. Thanks to his eye-catching style and demeanor.  In the summer of 1996 Gullit was appointed as a player-manager becoming the first Dutch manager in the Premier League. He went on to guide Chelsea to an FA Cup triumph in 1997, the club’s first major trophy in 26 years. In doing so he became the first manager from outside the British Isles and the first black manager to win a major British football trophy and a sixth place finish in the EPL. However, the following season he was sacked allegedly following a disagreement with the management. He went on to have a coaching stint at Newcastle United, Feyenoord, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Terek Grozny.

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9. Gullit Played An Important Part In The “Foreign Revolution”

He joined Chelsea in 1995; where he would go on to make more history in the Premier League. But England’s gain was Italy’s loss, as Serie A was forced to wave goodbye to one of the greatest they’d ever seen.

In moving to Chelsea, Gullit played an important part in the “foreign revolution” as numerous high profile international stars, such as Jürgen Klinsmann, Eric Cantona, and Dennis Bergkamp, joined Premiership clubs and helped to increase its worldwide profile.

10. His moment of glory was In 1988

The Dutch forward, midfielder, and defender’s moment of glory was In 1988 when he led the Netherlands to their first UEFA Euro title. This ended the streak of disappointing results for the Dutch, who had failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups. By then, Gullit was the team’s captain and the main driving force alongside Rijkaard and Van Basten.

In the final match, Gullit put the Netherlands in the lead with a header goal, with Van Basten scoring an exquisite volley to put the game away for good. Gullit led Milan to a European Cup title in 1988. Though a knee injury had sidelined him for much of the following year, he still managed to recover in time for the 1989 European Cup final, where he helped Milan win their second straight European Cup.