Latest news with #Gullit
The South African
06-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs pre-season plans REVEALED!
Kaizer Chiefs are staring at a potentially very busy 2025/26 season after qualifying for continental football. Chiefs had a mixed season where they won their first trophy in 10 years, but missed out on a top eight finish. Missing out on a top eight finish means that Chiefs will be spared extra games in the form the MTN8. But they're expected to travel the continent and have those extra fixtures through the CAF Confederation Cup. That potentially rigorous schedule will need the best preparations from the team who have announced their pre-season plans. According to a post on the club's social media platforms, Chiefs will be back in Europe for their pre-season. The club revealed that they are set to head to the Netherlands for their season's preparations. 'South Africa Netherlands We (Chiefs) are travelling to the Netherlands for our pre-season tour, and Vodacom is giving you the opportunity to join us in the land of Van Dijk, Gullit, and Cruyff.'wrote the club social media. Chiefs are set to start their pre-season in the Netherlands from the third of July. They will be spending a fortnight in Europe as they end their trip on the 19th. Last time out, they were in Turkey for a similar period. Although it was their first pre-season under Nasreddine Nabi, the Tunisian joined the team with their program under way. This time around, he will be with them from the start in the Netherlands, and hope to have new signings. Chiefs have been linked with multiple players, including Feisal Salum and Jean Charles Ahoua. It remains to be seen which of the linked players will eventually join and if it will be on time. Last season, it was only Bongani Sam who had signed and joined their Turkish trip. Chiefs fans, are you excited about the pre-season destination for the club? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Roy Keane leaves fellow Sky Sports pundits full-on belly laughing – ‘You got me'
Roy Keane had fellow pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher howling with laughter thanks to a funny recollection involving Ruud Gullit. The iconic Dutch star, best known for his time with European giants like AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, and Chelsea, recently joined the Stick to Football podcast. During the episode, Keane recounted a comical exchange with Gullit during the 2022 World Cup. "All the TV companies stay in the same hotel, and I bumped into Ruud at breakfast," the former Ireland skipper explained. "I obviously didn't know him. "I remember being dead polite, and he spoke to me about injuries. He asked me what was the worst injury I had. I thought strange question, but he seemed really interested. So I told him, 'Oh, my cruciate - and I had a hip operation, that set me back a bit.' "Then I said, 'What about you?', and he went, 'I used to always get side strains,'" recalled Keane, pointing to the side of his ribcage. "I went, 'Side strains?', and he went, 'Yeah, you know when you're lifting trophies.'" That punchline set the room off. "You got me," Keane said, while Gullit grinned and nodded. Recognised as one of the most gifted players in the game, Gullit - now 62 - earned accolades for his exceptional versatility and success across Europe. He took home the Ballon d'Or in 1987 after a headline-making transfer from PSV to AC Milan, then a record-breaking €7million (£6m). At Milan, he dominated for seven years, winning multiple league titles and Champions League trophies, forming a devastating partnership with compatriots Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard - a trio whose combined brilliance helped the Netherlands secure the European Championship in 1988. In 1995, Gullit joined Chelsea, helping shift the club's profile internationally and paving the way for the likes of Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli, and Marcel Desailly to follow in his footsteps. A year later, he became player-manager and led the team to the 1997 FA Cup, ending the Blues' 26-year trophy drought. In Chelsea circles, Gullit is one of the most iconic and celebrated figures of the pre-Roman Abramovich era, revered for both his on-field elegance and for catapulting the club out of midtable mediocrity. So it was unexpected when owner Todd Boehly didn't recognise him during a recent meeting. "I think football clubs these days are run for business rather than from the heart," Gullit said. "I met Todd Boehly, it was a meeting for all the clubs organised by [PSG chairman] Nasser [Al-Khelaifi]. "So I thought I'd introduce myself [to Boehly]. He asked me, 'What do you do?' I said, 'I played football, also for Chelsea.' "He said, 'What did you do then for Chelsea? When were you there?' He didn't know! This is what it is. They don't know what the club is all about."
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Roy Keane leaves Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher in hysterics over ‘strange' question
When Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit reunited with Roy Keane on the Stick To Football podcast, the Manchester United icon was reminded of a hilarious story from one of their past meetings Roy Keane had podcast co-hosts Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher laughing as he recounted a side-splitting tale about Ruud Gullit. The Dutch football legend - known for his illustrious career with AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord, and Chelsea - appeared on the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast. During the show, Keane didn't hesitate to relive a memorable encounter between the two at the 2022 World Cup. "All the TV companies stay in the same hotel, and I bumped into Ruud at breakfast," the Irishman explained. "I obviously didn't know him. "I remember being dead polite, and he spoke to me about injuries. He asked me what was the worst injury I had. I thought strange question, but he seemed really interested. So I told him, 'Oh, my cruciate - and I had a hip operation, that set me back a bit.' "Then I said, 'What about you?', and he went, 'I used to always get side strains,'" recalled Keane, pointing to the side of his ribcage. "I went, 'Side strains?', and he went, 'Yeah, you know when you're lifting trophies.'" The studio erupted in laughter. "You got me," Keane conceded, while Gullit chuckled knowingly. Now 62, Gullit is celebrated as one of the all-time greats in Dutch and continental football. Famed for his adaptability, he excelled in numerous roles on the pitch and left a lasting mark wherever he played. He earned the Ballon d'Or in 1987, the same year he made a record-setting £6million switch from PSV to AC Milan. There, he enjoyed a trophy-laden run with three Serie A wins and two European Cups, forming a legendary trio with Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard - a partnership that also propelled the Netherlands to Euro 1988 glory. Gullit later joined Chelsea in 1995, paving the way for a wave of international stars like Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli, and Marcel Desailly. Taking over as player-manager in 1996, he led the club to FA Cup glory in 1997 - the Blues' first major trophy in over a quarter of a century. Among Chelsea supporters, Gullit is still seen as a transformative figure from the pre- Roman Abramovich years, lauded for his finesse and vision both as a player and manager. That's why it came as a surprise when club owner Todd Boehly failed to recognise him. "I think football clubs these days are run for business rather than from the heart," Gullit said. "I met Todd Boehly, it was a meeting for all the clubs organised by [ PSG chairman] Nasser [Al-Khelaifi]. "So I thought I'd introduce myself [to Boehly]. He asked me, 'What do you do?' I said, 'I played football, also for Chelsea.' "He said, 'What did you do then for Chelsea? When were you there?' He didn't know! This is what it is. They don't know what the club is all about."
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Premier League manager begged to end contract after realising 'this isn't for me'
Ruud Gullit has recalled being "begged" to stay at Newcastle United despite his falling-out with Alan Shearer. The Dutch icon made the controversial decision to bench club legend Shearer for a game against local rivals Sunderland early in the 1999/00 season, a move that caused uproar among fans. Fellow forward Duncan Ferguson was also left out of the starting line-up. Newcastle were defeated 2-1 despite Kieran Dyer's early goal, with Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips turning the game around in the second half. This match marked Gullit's final act as Magpies manager as he stepped down soon after, clearing the path for Sir Bobby Robson's arrival. Gullit knew his days on Tyneside were numbered when Sunderland took the lead. He told Stick to Football:"We were 1-0 up against Sunderland and it was raining like hell. "And then in one moment, they had a pass up front and the ball went in the pond, everybody went past it, and then they chipped it out over the goalkeeper. Then you feel, 'OK, this is maybe not for me'." Despite a torrid start to that season, the board pleaded for him to stay. He explained: "I went to the board, and I said, 'Look, I don't think this is for me' – and they begged me to stay. Freddy Shepherd [chairman] and I became friends because of that. "I said to him, 'Look, I don't need the money. I just want to end the contract, I'm very thankful for what I could do, but this is not for me. This is not the way to do it'. "I knew that I could not change the environment in that moment. I was right, because later, they were relegated. I knew exactly what was going on, but I didn't have the power to change that. "Alan Shearer, in that moment, he was not doing the things that we needed him to do to play, and he understood that as well. Alan is a great striker – I needed him to do a little bit different to make it work. "He was not informed well of the tenacity that I had, from the beginning – maybe that was my fault because I had to talk with him more and tell him what I really needed." However, Gullit remains fond of the club and was delighted to see them win the Carabao Cup recently. He added: "The biggest problem [with Newcastle] is, not everybody wants to go there," he said. "The biggest success they had was when Kevin Keegan was there. That was the best team they had – didn't win it [the league], but now they've won a trophy, I'm so happy for them."
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ruud Gullit reveals awkward meeting with Todd Boehly - who had no idea who he is - and blasts Chelsea owners for having 'NO IDEA what the club is all about'
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly did not know who Ruud Gullit was when they first met, according to the Dutch footballing legend. Gullit, the 1987 Ballon d'Or winner, ended his illustrious playing career with the Blues before going on to manage the side, first as a player-coach, for two seasons. He holds the distinction as being the first foreign manager to win the FA Cup when he led the Blues to just their second crown in 1997. But in spite of his indelible mark on the history of the European game, nevermind the annals of Stamford Bridge, Blues owner Boehly had no idea who he was when they first met. The American businessman led a consortium that purchased the west London outfit in 2022 following Roman Abramovich 's departure but, according to Gullit, he did not familiarise himself with its rich history. 'I met the Chelsea owner, Todd Boehly, Introduced myself, "hi I am Ruud Gullit",' said the Dutchman on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet. 'Todd said: 'What do you do?' Well I played football, also played and coached for Chelsea. 'Todd said: 'Oh yeah, when did you play for Chelsea, what did you do for Chelsea?' He didn't know.' The Dutchman was making a broader point on the current state of English football and, in his view, the dominance of business-focused minds at the top of clubs. 'Can I blame him? No I don't think so,' he added. 'But this is what it is a little bit because they don't know what the club is all about. '[Manchester United's] DNA is gone, you have a certain DNA and that has gone a little bit. [Arsenal] had a good DNA with Arsene Wenger, it went a little bit but now you have a new one under Mikel Arteta. 'The good thing, what I like for instance about Liverpool is that Jurgen Klopp gave them a DNA and then they got another coach who did exactly the same. Slight differences but almost the same. That's what you need to do.' In addition to his successful spell at Stamford Bridge, Gullit also took charge of Newcastle in the Premier League. However, that spell was poor and is best remembered for his bust-up with talisman Alan Shearer. Gullit's greatest contribution to the game came during his playing days when, alongside compatriots Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, he formed AC Milan's 'Flying Dutchman'. Under legendary coach Arirgo Sacchi, Milan won two Champions Leagues and three Italian Cups.
