| As a player,
Rinus Michels didn't have much a story to tell even
though he played on the famous Ajax all his career.
He made his name after his playing days, as coach and
technicial director. When he took over at Ajax back
in 1965, he turned a team from just missed relegation
to eventually European champion in 1971. From there,
he also led the Oranje to reach the World Cup Final
in Germany 1974. Even though they lost 2-1 to the host,
but they are always regard as the best team in the tournament.
He enjoyed club success with Ajax and Barcelons, but
his finest moment came exactly fourteen years later,
also in Germany where Euro '88 was hosted. The Oranje
won their first major hounor, and revenged the 1974
defeat by beating the host (West) Germany in the semi-final.
Michels is a man of vision. His brand of soccer has
established in history that forever change the Netherlands,
and he is always regard as the "Father of Total
Football." Michels coached the Oranje 54 games,
with 30 wins and 14 draws record. He will be missed,
and alwasy be remembered among Oranje fans and supporters. |