Kees Rijvers

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Princenhage, Netherlands

Position
Attacking Midfield

Status
Deceased

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Sport

Soccer

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Description

Cornelus Bernardus Rijvers (27 May 1926 – 4 March 2024) was a Dutch footballer who was active as a midfielder and later as coach for PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands national team.

Rijvers made his debut at NAC Breda and also played for AS Saint-Étienne, Stade Français and Feijenoord. He was a member of the Netherlands team at the 1948 Summer Olympic Games.

In 1950 Rijvers became one of the first Dutch players to turn professional with his transfer to AS Saint-Étienne. The KNVB suspended him from playing in the national team in response because at the time they didn't allow professional players to play in the national team and it wasn't until 1957 he would play in the national team again.

Following the death of Marcelino Campanal in May 2020, Rijvers became the final surviving player who received at least one vote during the inaugural edition (1956) of the Ballon d'Or.

As a manager, Rijvers took over FC Twente and coached the team for six years, with good results. After those successful seasons, he moved to PSV Eindhoven. He led the team to win the 1977–78 UEFA Cup. He also won with PSV three Eredivisie titles, in 1975, 1976 and 1978, and the double in 1976. After leaving PSV, he took over the national team and introduced young players like Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. The Netherlands failed to qualify for Euro 1984 having better goal difference against Spain until the last day of the qualification, but after Spain's 12–1 win over Malta, the Netherlands ended second in the group. After that Rijvers was sacked by the KNVB and replaced by Rinus Michels. Erik ten Hag has named Rijvers among the managers who have inspired his coaching career.

Rijvers was born in Breda on 27 May 1926. He died on 4 March 2024, at the age of 97.

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