Ronald Koeman, the return of an FC Barcelona legend
Ronaldo Koeman returns home. The Dutchman, an FC Barcelona legend, is set to coach the team for the next two seasons. More than 30 years after his arrival as a player, Koeman arrives once again as coach at the club that he helped him win their very first European Cup back in 1992. Koeman, the hero of Wembley, is back.
Born in Zaandam in the Netherlands on 21 March 1963, 57 year-old Koeman becomes the fifth Dutchman to coach FC Barcelona after Rinus Michels, Johan Cruyff, Louis Van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard.
Culer from 1989 to 1995
The Dutchman came to Barça in 1989 after spells in Holland at FC Groningen, Ajax and PSV in which he claimed four Dutch league titles, two Dutch Cups and a European Cup. Furthermore, in 1988 he was part of the Netherlands team that was victorious in the European Championships. When he came to Barça he became the second most expensive signing in the Club’s history behind Diego Maradona.
In his six seasons as a Barça player Koeman made 264 official appearances, scoring 88 goals, many of them from his trade mark free kicks on his way to becoming the highest scoring defender in the Club’s history. Koeman claimed 10 trophies in his time as a blaugrana: four La Liga titles, a European Cup, a Copa del Rey, a European Super Cup and three Spanish Super Cups.
The hero of Wembley
Apart from his goals and trophies, Koeman is most remembered by Barça fans for the Wembley final in 1992. The Dutchman was the scorer of the only goal of the game, his extra time winner giving the blaugranes a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria handed the Club their first ever victory in the European Cup and secured his place in FC Barcelona history.
Koeman was one of the leaders of the ‘Dream Team’ under coach Johan Cruyff and after his six seasons with the blaugranes he finished his career back in his native Holland playing for Feyenoord. After retirement in 1998 he returned to Barça as a member of the coaching staff before leaving for Vitesse in 1999 to begin his coaching career.