Latest news with #Reiziger
Scottish Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Dutch icon Michael Reiziger lifted Champions League at Ajax, played with Rivaldo and is now plotting England's downfall
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEFORE the Class of '92's crowning moment, it was Ajax's Academy of Total Football that stole the march and produced a team of homegrown stars that conquered Europe. Edwin van der Saar, twins Frank and Ronald de Boer, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert all burst on to the scene to start a stunning era for Dutch football. 6 Michael Reiziger is plotting England's downfall tonight Credit: Getty 6 The legend was part of the iconic Ajax side that won the Champions League in 1995 Credit: Getty 6 The former defender enjoyed a glittering seven years at Barcelona Credit: AP:Associated Press 6 Michael Reiziger had a brief stint in the Premier League with Middlesbrough Credit: PA:Press Association Michael Reiziger was another huge name and part of that group that lifted the 1995 Champions League trophy and reached the following year's final. He went on to play with legends such as Robert Baggio, George Weah and Paolo Maldini at AC Milan before an incredible seven-year stint at Barcelona. Alongside Brazilian magician Rivaldo, Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoitchkov and Pep Guardiola, Reiziger claimed two LaLiga crowns as they twice toppled the Galacticos from Real Madrid. Having won everything with both Ajax and Barca, he looked to achieve the same when he surprisingly decided to leave the Camp Nou for Steve McClaren's ambitious Middlesbrough. Though his brief foray in the Premier League did not last long, and after just six months he was on his way back home with PSV. As injuries began to take their toll, he signed off his playing career by adding another Eredivisie title to his collection before hanging up his boots in 2007. It was a playing career and CV that anybody would have been proud of, however, like the rest of that great and fiery Dutch side, their inability to deliver silverware for their nation still hurts. And it's that failure that is fuelling the flames deep inside of the now Holland Under-21 boss to hopefully kickstart another Dutch revolution - starting by winning the European Championship in Slovakia. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Reizeger, who suffered three tournament semi-final defeats with Holland, said: 'We missed that special cup. 'After three semi-finals, you hope that you play the final and live up to it [expectation]. We lost for our generation. England u21s clash with Germany SUSPENDED as stadium plunged into semi-darkness and players taken off pitch 'Now we have some good players and we're getting better with every game.' For Reiziger to achieve that, he must first topple the holders England in Bratislava tonight to seal a date with destiny in Saturday's final. He acknowledges that will not be an easy task - and he is certainly no stranger to opposite number Lee Carsley. The two head coaches have actually collided on the pitch during the Dutchman's brief time in the Premier League. That was back on January 16 in 2005 when Carsley helped Everton come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at The Riverside in a stormy match that was marred by a huge goalmouth scuffle that exploded after a late challenge from Duncan Ferguson on Boro keeper Mark Schawarzer. 6 Lee Carsley went head-to-head with the Dutchman on the pitch while at Everton Credit: PA:Press Association 6 The England boss leads his team out tonight against Holland in Bratislava Credit: Getty Reizeger claims he cannot remember the game, but Carsley, who was denied by the woodwork that day, can. He said: 'I don't remember it being a classic. We always had tough games against Middlesbrough. Michael was a top player. Look at his CV, Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, he's been there and done it. A Champions League player and a coach that I've got a lot of respect for. Michael Reiziger Here's everything the Dutch icon won during his incredible playing career: AJAX Eredivisie: 1994–95, 1995–96 KNVB Cup: 1992–93 Dutch Supercup: 1994, 1995 Champions League: 1994–95 Uefa Cup: 1991–92 Uefa Super Cup: 1995 Intercontinental Cup: 1995 BARCELONA La Liga: 1997–98, 1998–99 Copa del Rey: 1997–98 Uefa Super Cup: 1997 PSV Eredivisie: 2005–06, 2006–07 'He's doing a great job with the U21s, as he did with Ajax's B team. He's carried that on with the U21s. 'The style that they're playing is great to watch. I expect it to be a really exciting game, unlike that 1-1 draw. I don't remember hitting the bar now but I remember the melee.' No matter what happens tonight, Reizeger will always remain on the list of all-time greats. But another journey may just be beginning, only this time it is him leading the revolution from the dug-out.
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Dutch icon Michael Reiziger lifted Champions League at Ajax, played with Rivaldo and is now plotting England's downfall
BEFORE the Class of '92's crowning moment, it was Ajax's Academy of Total Football that stole the march and produced a team of homegrown stars that conquered Europe. Edwin van der Saar, twins Frank and Ronald de Boer, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert all burst on to the scene to start a stunning era for Advertisement 6 Michael Reiziger is plotting England's downfall tonight Credit: Getty 6 The legend was part of the iconic Ajax side that won the Champions League in 1995 Credit: Getty 6 The former defender enjoyed a glittering seven years at Barcelona Credit: AP:Associated Press 6 Michael Reiziger had a brief stint in the Premier League with Middlesbrough Credit: PA:Press Association He went on to play with legends such as Robert Baggio, George Weah and Paolo Maldini at AC Milan before an incredible seven-year stint at Alongside Brazilian magician Rivaldo, Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoitchkov and Pep Guardiola, Reiziger claimed two LaLiga crowns as they twice toppled the Galacticos from Real Madrid. Having won everything with both Advertisement READ MORE ENGLAND U21S Though his brief foray in the Premier League did not last long, and after just six months he was on his way back home with PSV. As injuries began to take their toll, he signed off his playing career by adding another Eredivisie title to his collection before hanging up his boots in 2007. It was a playing career and CV that anybody would have been proud of, however, like the rest of that great and fiery Dutch side, their inability to deliver silverware for their nation still hurts. And it's that failure that is fuelling the flames deep inside of the now Holland Under-21 boss to hopefully kickstart another Dutch revolution - starting by winning the European Championship in Slovakia. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Breaking BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Reizeger, who suffered three tournament semi-final defeats with Holland, said: 'We missed that special cup. 'After three semi-finals, you hope that you play the final and live up to it [expectation]. We lost for our generation. England u21s clash with Germany SUSPENDED as stadium plunged into semi-darkness and players taken off pitch 'Now we have some good players and we're getting better with every game.' Advertisement For Reiziger to achieve that, he must first topple the holders England in Bratislava tonight to seal a date with destiny in Saturday's final. He acknowledges that will not be an easy task - and he is certainly no stranger to opposite number Lee Carsley. The two head coaches have actually collided on the pitch during the Dutchman's brief time in the Premier League. That was back on January 16 in 2005 when Carsley helped Everton come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at The Riverside in a stormy match that was marred by a huge goalmouth scuffle that exploded after a late challenge from Duncan Ferguson on Boro keeper Mark Schawarzer. Advertisement 6 Lee Carsley went head-to-head with the Dutchman on the pitch while at Everton Credit: PA:Press Association 6 The England boss leads his team out tonight against Holland in Bratislava Credit: Getty Reizeger claims he cannot remember the game, but Carsley, who was denied by the woodwork that day, can. He said: 'I don't remember it being a classic. We always had tough games against Middlesbrough. Advertisement Michael was a top player. Look at his CV, Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, he's been there and done it. A Champions League player and a coach that I've got a lot of respect for. Michael Reiziger Here's everything the Dutch icon won during his incredible playing career: AJAX Eredivisie: 1994–95, 1995–96 KNVB Cup: 1992–93 Dutch Supercup: 1994, 1995 Champions League: 1994–95 Uefa Cup: 1991–92 Uefa Super Cup: 1995 Intercontinental Cup: 1995 BARCELONA La Liga: 1997–98, 1998–99 Copa del Rey: 1997–98 Uefa Super Cup: 1997 PSV Eredivisie: 2005–06, 2006–07 'He's doing a great job with the U21s, as he did with Ajax's B team. He's carried that on with the U21s. 'The style that they're playing is great to watch. I expect it to be a really exciting game, unlike that 1-1 draw. I don't remember hitting the bar now but I remember the melee.' No matter what happens tonight, Reizeger will always remain on the list of all-time greats. Advertisement But another journey may just be beginning, only this time it is him leading the revolution from the dug-out. England's Under-21 Euros squad in FULL ENGLAND are looking to retain their status as Under-21 European champions this summer in Slovakia. Here is Lee Carsley's full squad for the blockbuster tournament: Goalkeepers: James Beadle (Brighton and Hove Albion), Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Chelsea), Tommy Simkin (Stoke City) Defenders: Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse), Ronnie Edwards (Southampton), CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Brooke Norton Cuffy (Genoa), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool) Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tyler Morton (Liverpool), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth) Forwards: Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town), Sam Iling Jnr (Aston Villa), James McAtee (Manchester City), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), Jonathan Rowe (Marseille), Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dutch morning papers hold no mercy for Jong Oranje: ‘Nothing to look for in the knockout stages'
Dutch morning papers hold no mercy for Jong Oranje: 'Nothing to look for in the knockout stages' With sub-par performances in their first two games of the U21 European Championship, Jong Oranje are facing an inglorious exit. Following a 2-2 draw with Finland, Denmark beat the Dutch yesterday 2-1, and the morning papers have been particularly critical of both the team and national coach Michael Reiziger. Advertisement The Algemeen Dagblad noted a number of players from the Dutch Juniors falling to the ground in disappointment after the match. 'Against the Finns, the talents had already made a mess of it by missing countless chances. Against the Danes, Reiziger's modified formation went one better. Because of this, and by defending poorly again, an admittedly better performance ultimately yielded even less.' According to the AD, Reiziger's team missed 10 clear chances as they ultimately fell victim to a William Osula brace after Oliver Provstgaard's initial own goal gave the Dutch the lead. 'There were too many to mention. Noah Ohio took the cake by failing to make the final push twice. This means that Jong Oranje suffered its first defeat, and the group win is already out of reach. A win over Ukraine on Wednesday will probably be enough for second place, but if Reiziger's team continues to lack killer instinct for goals, the team that was aiming for European gold in advance will not even have anything to look for in the knockout phase.' Advertisement De Telegraaf continued critically, 'The Dutch juniors are again a big disappointment and must fear elimination from the European Championship.' According to the newspaper, it would be a disappointment, because much was expected of the Dutch promises beforehand. 'All speculation about the Dutch juniors as possible tournament winners can be put on ice after two group matches. The difference with the performances of their peers from Germany, Italy and Spain in the group stage is enormous.' Head coach Reiziger does not escape criticism. 'The role of Jong Oranje coach Michael Reiziger should be critically examined. Several choices made by the former Ajax player have not worked out well.' Advertisement Anass Salah-Eddine's starting position was called 'a new rabbit out of the hat', especially since very little playing time since his transfer to AS Roma. Reiziger's choices will be examined in any case. 'The first two group matches have revealed the flaws in Reiziger's selection policy', writes De Telegraaf, which judges that many choices were made out of loyalty. 'That the form of the moment and match rhythm are not to be underestimated factors in tournament football. These can also be seen in striker Noah Ohio. He had three big chances against the Danes, but missed three times', according to De Telegraaf. 'The failure to select proven goal scorer Mexx Meerdink, a striker who is in form, continues to haunt Reiziger, if the strikers who were selected continue to miss so many chances.' 'Missing chances is not the only shortcoming of the Dutch Juniors at this European Championship so far', the newspaper continues. 'Just like against Finland, there were also many sloppy plays against Denmark, mostly by the more seasoned players such as Jorrel Hato, Devyne Rensch and Ian Maatsen. In addition, the Dutch Juniors were very vulnerable defensively against Denmark.' As a result, it is now 'make or break' against Ukraine. GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield
