The thread for Ruud Gullit

24/12/1993 - Interview with Gullit

https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBPERS01:003124021:mpeg21:a00381

It is said here Gullit doesn't drink and doesn't smoke. He confirms here the usual things; about him thinking he played fine for Milan but was nonetheless put on the bench in the next game.

"When I say that I feel at home here in Italy, that does not mean disqualifying the Netherlands or Suriname. I feel Dutch, but of course I do have my Surinamese background. A journalist once wanted to create a contrast by asking Kwakoe what they thought about Gullit not feeling Surinamese.

The Surinamese themselves do understand. Many know what it is like to have two backgrounds. I have more of a Dutch mentality, but I have also inherited enough Surinamese traits: openness, involvement with others, Surinamese care more about life. They don't have to be rich, as long as it's fun." Ruud Gullit grew up as Ruud Dil in Amsterdam West, in the Mercatorbuurt. On the Balboaplein, father George Gullit, an economics teacher, often sat on a crate, breathlessly watching the football talent from the neighborhood. His son wasn't even the best at the time... Ruud sees his father's role as formative for his later football career: "Even if you played like a star, he still had comments. In a positive way, mind you, but it wasn't easy to get it right. And always by bike or by tram to the football field, never cola and chips from your father afterwards. That kind of thing shapes you. You were encouraged to make your own choices. You want to play football, then you have to do something for it. He has hardened me in a way.” Father George Gullit has returned to Suriname. “He is a bit disappointed in the Netherlands. As a teacher he was allowed to take early retirement at the time, but he did not want to be seen as a so-called unemployed Surinamese in the Netherlands. He studied, he is very proud. What am I supposed to do in the Netherlands now, he said. The weather is shit, playing cards in the café and drinking is not everything. Then he went to Suriname. But he can’t keep his mouth shut there either. He simply cannot stand injustice. I told him to be careful, he knows what happened to Ampie Kamperveen and the others. But yes, he sees things that he cannot stomach.”

The role of his mother has always been somewhat underexposed. "She is very proud, but she would never think of coming to watch a match. She is much too nervous then. She also does not want to be recognized as the mother of the famous footballer under any circumstances. She is much too down-to-earth for that. My mother actually raised me. Saying the formal form of 'you', speaking in two words, standing up for older people, that is ingrained in me." Around the age of eight, Ruud had to be seriously called to order by his mother. "If I even had the feeling that someone was looking at me because of the color of my skin, I would give him a smack. That is not acceptable, she said, you really have to rise above that. Since then I have not fought anymore." — Ten years ago you said that you had never noticed much discrimination. In a program by Paul Witteman two years later you suddenly mentioned personal experiences with discrimination, such as an arrest because you happened to be in the vicinity of a theft.
"That was actually just a small example. Other than that I have never experienced a lot in Amsterdam. At that time I also did some work for the Anne Frank Foundation. That way you get more involved in the fight against racism. I don't always open my mouth about it, but people keep asking me about it. Of course they can — the problem is on everyone's mind. Allessandra Mussolini? Well, that suffered a defeat. But yes, there is a crisis in Europe and the bloodsuckers are cleverly latching on to it." "Nobody is born a racist, but some are made into one. People are easier to influence in times of unemployment, a scapegoat is sought again. But it is too simplistic to say that it is a contrast between black and white. It is also between white and white; just look at Yugoslavia. That is also fascism that is happening there, they shoot each other because of their religion. And there is also sexism, discrimination of women by men."
[...]
— For a footballer of your calibre and in your current form, wouldn't it be logical if you were there during the World Cup? Gullit reacts cautiously: "I don't want to think about it now. I need all my attention for Sampdoria. I live from week to week. I have to be happy with what I have now, my work ethic, my power, my drive. Football is not forever, so as long as I can still play football, I have to enjoy it. And the World Cup? That's not an issue and problem for me now. That's a concern for later."

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The interviewer bumps onto Frank Arnesen, who was then working for the Danish television. "He is fit, he is eager. Ruud is now as strong as he was in 1987, when I played with him at PSV. He is not over the hill. Like he plays now he can play along on top level for some more years."

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In Italy, league leaders AC Milan were unable to get past 0-0 against bottom team Lecce on a wet pitch in their own stadium

In Italy, leaders AC Milan could not get past 0-0 in their own stadium on a soaking wet pitch against bottom team Lecce, who had only earned their fifth point. Sampdoria profited from the mistake and are on two points after the flattering 4-1 against Napoli. Ruud Gullit was one of the main players. He scored his eleventh league goal, Sampdoria's second yesterday. Only Andrea Silenzi of Torino has been more productive this season, with twelve goals.

Gullit had a chance that was hard to miss. In turn, he let Mancini score in the final phase. It was the captain's second goal of the game and sixth of the season. Mancini has scored a hundred goals in Serie A. Both Sampdoria (Platt) and Napoli (Fonseca) missed a penalty. The Swede Brolin also missed from eleven meters for Parma. The European Cup 2 holder surprisingly lost at home to Udinese (1-0) because of this. Inter also suffered another defeat, against debutant Reggiana. Bergkamp missed a number of chances. Inter is now in seventh place, after eighteen rounds seven points behind Milan.

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Romario sees red after a good left hook
By our sports editor ROTTERDAM, 17 JAN [...]
In Italy, AC Milan extended their lead over nearest rival Sampdoria by one point. The league leaders did not get further than 0-0 at Genoa. It was already the eighth goalless draw for the club that had been scoring enough goals in previous years [6 goalless draws in the league, one in CL, one in cup]. Lentini made his comeback after the break for the national champions. The international was seriously injured in a car accident last year. Sampdoria lost 2-1 at Piacenza. Lombardo reduced the deficit with a penalty, after captain Mancini was fouled in the area. Just before the end, Gullit was brought down again in the penalty area. Gullit did not get a penalty on this occasion. Wim Jonk made his comeback at Inter-Foggia after an absence of four weeks. Both Jonk and Bergkamp scored. The most beautiful goal came from the foot of Uruguayan Ruben Sosa, who shot a free kick from a distance into the top corner. Inter defeated Foggia 3-1. Juventus failed to take advantage of Milan's draw. In Turin, the draw against AS Roma remained 0-0. Juve now shares second place with Sampdoria.

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15/01/1994

From one of our reporters GENOA — The board of Sampdoria wants to tie Ruud Gullit to itself for a longer period. The football club from Genoa will present the attacker with an extension of his current one-year contract in the coming month. Gullit, who has become Sampdoria's most important player this season, reacted moderately positive to the declaration of intent: "I don't want to decide yet, I have learned to live from day to day."

 

Milan owes its strength to defense

ROTTERDAM, 24 JAN. In the Italian football league, AC Milan is quietly preparing for its third consecutive national title. The club, owned by Berlusconi, won 2-0 against Piacenza yesterday in San Siro thanks to late goals from Massaro and Papin. Milan again played a lackluster game. After the match, Berlusconi expressed his impatience with Marco van Basten's recovery process. "We miss him every game. He is 50 percent of our attack. You cannot replace or compensate for him. I hope he comes back soon. There is no other way."

AC Milan barely scores a goal per game on average. The strength of the previously so offensively playing club lies more than ever in the slyness of the defense. The club conceded only eight goals. The criticized goalkeeper Rossi is frequently assisted by the old libero Baresi, still one of the best ausputzers in the world.

Milan's lead is now four points. Yesterday, the competition lost another point. Numbers two and three, Sampdoria and Juventus, played a direct duel with a 1-1 draw. It was an exciting duel in Genoa, where Lombardo gave the home team the lead with a dubious penalty. After the break, Ravenelli scored against. The man with the gray hair shot a beautiful free kick into the top corner. In the first half, the world footballer Roberto Baggio shot a free kick against the post. Ruud Gullit played a strong game. He was involved in several chances for Sampdoria and twice asked in vain for a penalty.

Parma is in joint second place. Ajax's next opponent in the European Cup 2 tournament won convincingly at home against Lazio Roma: 3-0. Internazionale is recovering from a weak period. The club of Bergkamp and Jonk won 4-1 at Cremonese. Wim Jonk scored twice and has now scored six goals for his new club.

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Gullit: one more season before retirement

From our correspondent GENOA - According to the Roman sports daily Corriere dellc Sport, Ruud Gullit will end his active career after next season. The former international wants to focus on promoting football. "The Sampdoria striker has announced his decision in a small circle. Gullit wants to achieve two more good performances with Sampdoria and experience a world championship. After that, Gullit hopes to be able to work for UEFA - in the form of ambassador", according to Corriere dello Sport. Gullit, who also wants to dedicate himself to Surinamese football, has since october 1993 been a member of the FIFA working group Task Force 2000. The working group, consisting of footballers, former footballers and trainers, focuses on the development of football several times a year.


Sampdoria advances thanks to Gullit

Milan, 28 Jan. Sampdoria reached the semi-finals of the Italian football cup tournament yesterday at the expense of Inter Milan. Ruud Gullit scored the equalizer with a header one minute before the end: 1-1. In the semi-final, Sampdoria will meet Parma, Ajax's opponent in the quarter-finals for the European Cup for cup winners. Sampdoria won the first match 1-0. At Inter, Jonk and Bergkamp played an inconspicuous role. (ANP)


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29/01/1994 - Nieuwsblad van het Noorden

Gullit charms Rinus Israel

ROTTERDAM - In anticipation of a conversation between Ruud Gullit and national coach Dick Advocaat, Rinus Israel examined the former captain of the Dutch national team in the Italian cup match Inter-Sampdoria (1-1) on Thursday evening. Gullit, who scored the goal with a header in the last minute that brought Sampdoria into the semi-finals, made a good impression on the Amsterdammer, especially in the second half. "Gullit is not the Gullit he was before his knee injuries," said Israel, "but he played better than in his last matches for the Dutch national team. He seems fitter and faster to me." Israel also noted that Gullit does not have to do too much defensive work at Sampdoria. "He has a liberated role." Advocaat will also take a look at Gullit soon and then a conversation will also take place, in which Gullit must express his willingness to play for Dick Advocaat and the Dutch national team again.

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29/01/1994 - Algemeen Dagblad

Israel sees Gullit

From our correspondent MILAN — Assistant national coach Rinus Israël watched Ruud Gullit at work in the cup match against Inter in Milan on Wednesday evening. The Sampdoria player scored the winning goal. No talks were held between Gullit and Israël. Gullit has hinted in the Italian press that his mind is currently fully on Sampdoria. "I rule out a return to the Dutch national team in the short term," said the 31-year-old attacker. Gullit could sign a new contract with Sampdoria, although rumour has it that Milan is doing everything it can to get the former star back.

31/01/1994 - Algemeen Dagblad

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Berlusconi dreams of Gullit

From our correspondent MILAN — Silvio Berlusconi, the chairman of Milan, hopes to embrace Ruud Gullit again next season as the prodigal son. The newly minted politician spoke of a 'fantastic fairy tale' at the Milanello training centre on Saturday. "A return to Milan would be a good thing for both him and us," said Berlusconi. "The basis of our separation is Ruud's decision to gain new experiences," Berlusconi explained further. "Gullit did not leave because he had problems with his motivation at Milan. In addition, we did not send him away. Despite his departure, we have a good relationship. We spoke to each other around Christmas. He is having his best season at Sampdoria in all the years that he has been playing in Italy." Ruud Gullit, who can expect an offer from Sampdoria for next season soon, does not rule out a possible return to Milan. "I think a lot about my future, but I need all my energy for Sampdoria at the moment. I don't want to make a decision until the last minute. The world of football is a strange world. Six months ago, I was written off by everyone. Now everyone thinks I'm the single best player in Serie A." Milan is not expected to have problems due to too many foreigners. The club wants to implement a different policy and the Dane Brian Laudrup is the first victim. The reigning national champion, who won 0-1 against Atalanta yesterday thanks to a goal by Daniele Massaro and is four points ahead of Sampdoria and Juventus, will no longer use the services of the attacker next season. Laudrup is on loan from Fiorentina.



At Sampdoria, who won 0-3 at Lecce, Ruud Gullit was given a rest. He did come on later. The goals came from Vierchowod, Lombardo and an own goal by Lecce captain Ceremicola. Parma, opponent of Ajax in the EC in March, outclassed Genoa, where John van ’t Schip was in the starting line-up. Zola, Brolin, Asprilla and again Zola were the culprits for Genoa. Inter Milan, who extended the press boycott until the end of February, did not get further than 3-3 against Cagliari. No Dutch goals this time. Cagliari took a 0-2 lead through Oliviera and Pusceddu. It was equalized by Sosa (2x). Five minutes before the end Cagliari took the lead again through Valdes. Fontolan saved the point for Inter at the last minute.

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(some more of the second half of january 1994 will follow)

 

But that Robben-esque goal you found against Madrid in 1988 was also nice.

 

18/01/1994 (Limburgs Dagblad) - John Bosman thrown out of Oranje - Advocaat mildly positive about Gullit return

The run-up to the World Cup has already started well for the Dutch national team: with a commotion. Typically Holland. After the chaotic first day, Dick Advocaat revealed in Tunis that John Bosman had been removed from the selection last Thursday evening. It was punishment for the loose lips of Anderlecht coach Jan Boskamp, of which the top scorer of the Brussels club was the victim. "Too bad for Bosman", the national coach thought, "but he will have to fight that out with his coach."
[...]
Advocaat also showed that he was moderately positive about Gullit's return to the Dutch national team.
"Gullit in his current form is still an asset to the team," said Advocaat. "A lot has happened recently, however. A lot will therefore have to be said. Only then will a return be on the agenda." Advocaat will enter into discussions with Gullit in the relatively short term. "I had already made that agreement with him at the time when it seemed certain that Cruijff would be the national coach in America. I will keep to that agreement. We will see what it brings."
The national coach mentioned that the list of 25 players that he has provisionally reserved for the World Cup also includes Gullit and the injured Van Basten. He did not provide any certainty about this. Advocaat is allowed to take 22 players with him to the world title fight, including three goalkeepers.

Experiments
The selection for the second international match against Tunisia showed that Advocaat is averse to experiments. "Why should I? I have a fairly young group with many possibilities. Trying something out for the sake of trying it out is pointless. Phillip Cocu? A nice player, who we have followed. But in his case we are talking about Bergkamp's position. Then the order seems clear to me and everyone else."

That does not mean that the national coach who will have to make the never-appointed Cruijff forget already has the ideal line-up in mind. The system is fixed, however. It consists of three defenders, three midfielders and four attackers. "I am fairly certain of seven or eight places. I still have doubts about a few things."
Advocaat does not want to say exactly where the bottlenecks are. Although the man from The Hague makes no secret of the fact that he does not yet know who will be the right defender. Feyenoord players De Wolf and Van Gobbel recently played in that position, but the national coach is not really enthusiastic.
Advocaat does not want to say anything about other uncertainties. It is obvious that it concerns the left side of the team. The expectation is that Numan, who has been doing well at PSV recently, will get a chance tomorrow evening. It was already clear that Blinker will once again try to stand out at left forward after Roy dropped out due to injury.
Advocaat does not want to say which seven or eight players are more or less certain of their case in the squad. But it probably concerns the following names: De Goey, Ronald Koeman, Frank de Boer, Rijkaard, Wouters, Overmars, Bergkamp and very probably also Ronald de Boer. Although the latter may be somewhat dependent on a possible return of the prodigal son Gullit.

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29/01/1994 - Interview with Van Basten in 'De Telegraaf'
[...]
"Do I still trust the medical world? What can I say to that? The doctors are the specialists, so you hold on to them. I'm not very good at medical matters. It's the same as filling out your tax forms. Someone seems to be doing well, you hand over the matter, but you never know if that person is really doing it that well." In February, Van Basten consults Dr. Martens. "In the meantime, you take into account the fact that it could be over. But for the time being, I'm not going to accept that. It's tiring sometimes to hit your head against the wall again, but I'm very stubborn and don't give up easily. Of course, there are limits. For the time being, I'm going for top football."

With three golden boots, a string of titles and European cups, the 29-year-old striker still doesn't want to give up. "I still feel young as a footballer and I'm still ambitious. It's also a nice life, the fun with those guys. I don't want to miss that yet. It also hurts sometimes when I go to watch football. I'm not such a passive football fan. You won't see me on the sidelines very often, but when you see those guys play, it hurts when you're sitting in the stands injured. You feel for yourself that you're so close. Those are not nice moments."
[...]
The World Cup football in America next summer. "Will I make it? For me it would be a huge stroke of luck. That's a realistic answer."
[...]
Van Basten now a month later: "With Johan Cruyff you have the icing on the cake. That has now been taken away from us and I think that is a shame. I have now put it behind me. The book is closed. We have to move on with reality."
What does that reality look like for the Dutch national team according to Van Basten? "Oranje does not use all possibilities. Given the qualities of the players, the return is not high. Something we have had to deal with for four or five years. Not nice to say, but you have to translate this positively. We have to work on improving."

"2-2 against Tunisia is not good. But in these types of matches, the result should not come first. The game needs to be improved by, for example, testing automatisms and playing the offside trap. Too little attention is paid to that and that is why you see no progress. Those practice matches are extremely suitable for that. You have to dare to test things out in them. I don't know precisely if Advocaat does so."

According to Van Basten, people have been attacking personalities in the Netherlands for years. He himself, Gullit and Ronald Koeman have experienced it first-hand. "But that is not what it is all about. Everything has to be geared towards creating a team and good and bad are not the most important things."

"Sitting on the couch in front of the television, Oranje doesn't convince me. It's not relaxed. Only a few countries convince at the moment, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't strive for something better yourself. We have to get that improvement out of it. The right man for that would be Johan Cruyff. At Ajax with Aad de Mos we played stiffly, we had no say in Europe and we only competed for the championship. With Johan Cruyff, the game became more fluid. Winter and Bosman broke through just like that, someone like Ronald Spelbos suddenly appeared to be able to give the long pass and was repeatedly chosen as 'Man of the Match.' No one else can do something like that except Johan Cruyff. I have experienced no other coach like this."

According to Van Basten, there is little wrong with the qualities present in the Oranje players. "So the profit must be sought in the collective, the teamwork. Frank de Boer is a good example. I see him play with Ajax against MVV and it comes easily to him. His technical and constructive qualities come to the fore. How is it possible that he gets into trouble with Oranje? Not because of his qualities. The agreements are different there. At Ajax, it is direct play, while he cannot play in Oranje and therefore has to run with the ball." Van Basten emphasizes that he gives his opinion because he wants everyone to commit to improving the Oranje's game. It hurts him that everything is running so sluggishly. "Dennis Bergkamp, for example, is a freed attacker. But that is not possible. In his position, you can expect much more from him in midfield. Then he does not close all the free spaces. The two-in-one that I formed with John Bosman at Ajax is very different from now with Bergkamp. It's about the right moment to come up or stay up. At Ajax and in his good period with Oranje it didn't stand out with all those good footballers. At Inter that's not the case and you see how much trouble he has to take care of himself, even though he's more than a very good footballer."

"Because of Bergkamp's role, things also go wrong in the axis. Defensively, we often give away far too much space there. When in possession of the ball, you often have to be up front with one or two passes from the defense, because the opponent has not yet organized itself. Like Frank Rijkaard used to do. But with Jan Wouters in that position, it becomes difficult because he stands with his back to it too much. I have noticed that and think that we have to work hard on improving that with Oranje."

"These are in fact essential mistakes, which you have to talk about a lot and especially train for. You have to improve the details and you have to work hard on that."

Marco van Basten realizes that it is easy for him to talk when he is in front of the television. It does not mean that he has to close his eyes to reality. "Now the power does not radiate and you could only get far with a lucky shot. I always compare it to the seventies. In 1978, Oranje reached the final by chance; in 1974 it was with beautiful football and you knew they were going to reach the final. I was thirteen years old and you just knew it. That's how much charisma came from the game and the team at that time. We all have to try to work towards that again."

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I saw around that time (in the newspapers) Bergkamp had a good Serie A game where he had 2 direct assists (0:25, 0:45), in a 4-1 win. Against Cremonese that finished 10th in the table (I'd rather look at the AC Milan games, Juventus game of that time though).



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Database of Advocaat reveals conservative course

In his database in Zeist, national coach Dick Advocaat has already entered the World Cup selection to a large extent. The coach put 25 names on paper for the World Cup. The final group may consist of 22 internationals. 'We will eliminate three of those 25', Advocaat outlined the simplicity of his selection procedure in Tunis. The no-nonsense coach from The Hague does not intend to leave his internationals in doubt for long. He also avoids the approach of putting his regulars under pressure with a review of new talents. 'We already have a fairly new group, with a young attack in particular. I see no reason for major experiments.

Seven or eight positions in the team are fixed for Advocaat. 'I am quite certain of that.' He still has doubts about three places, but he keeps them more or less to himself. The coach only wanted to express himself about one doubtful case in Tunis.
That is the right-back position. "We are bursting with midfielders, some good ones as Edgar Davids will have it tough, but true defenders are few and far between," the national coach complained on the eve of the friendly against Tunisia.

In the renovated El Menzah stadium, Blind, the intended reserve libero for the World Cup, can try again in the position he had to leave after the failure in Oslo against Norway. After Blind came Van Aerle, Silooy, De Koek, Rijkaard, De Wolf, Van Gobbel. Even Winter was pushed into that position as a substitute.

Winter may play in that position again tonight after the break. Although Advocaat did not want to name him, the Laziale could be the only alternative defender in the current selection alongside Rijkaard in the heart of the defense. In his Ajax days, he once played PSV opponent Romario out of the match. Advocaat will not have forgotten that. He also has a preference for defenders who can play in the combination.

A third alternative, Marciano Vink, cannot be tried for the time being. The all-rounder does not play for his club, Genoa. He is redundant there. And that criterion weighs heavily with Advocaat, who used more than thirty players in the World Cup preliminary rounds. He has weighed almost all candidates for the Dutch national team in the last year and a half.

The chance of a surprise, by inviting a debutant, may be considered small. Advocaat was prepared to name one on Monday: Philip Cocu of runner-up Vitesse. The productive midfielder would, as you could gather from the words of the national coach, be on the list of 25.

But he does not really have much chance of being selected definitively. Advocaat: 'We have followed him for five matches, a boy with a lot of talent, but he is not as consistent. He has to compete with Bergkamp. I see no reason to experiment too much in that position. If it is not good with Dennis, then I have an alternative in my own group. Ronald de Boer can play there.'

To displace players now, six months before the World Cup, really big things have to happen. Advocaat is using the series of practice matches - one every month - to mainly strengthen his own group, to carry out experiments in his own circle.

He is mainly looking for the strongest team. At the World Cup in the exhausting climate of Florida, Advocaat also wants to play every match with his best formation. Saving strength against Saudi Arabia or possibly against Morocco is a scenario that Advocaat does not see any benefit in.
However, his team will have to play more measuredly. Advocaat played in America for three years, went there again last summer as an interested coach and realizes more than anyone that a team that starts to play pressure kills itself.
'You are exhausted after forty minutes in that heat. We will see how far we can go, but we will not deny our concept. We want to play far from our own goal. But at 35 degrees and 96 percent humidity we have to choose our moments better. Germany - England of the US Cup remains my example. England wanted to show something, the Germans kicked the ball wide and square in one half and struck after the break. We won't do it like that, it's not in our nature. Against the big boys we will do it differently.'
Given the climate, the latest rejuvenation of his selection suits Advocaat well. He will certainly foresee that older players will get into trouble and that a return of a 31-year-old like Ruud Gullit is therefore not the first goal to pursue.
In Tunis, the coach was diplomatic. 'All good players return', he said meaningfully when asked about Johnny Bosman. And specifically about Gullit: 'Knowing that I would no longer be the national coach, I agreed to visit him and talk things over. I will keep that agreement. Something will come up there. What? Let me talk to Gullit first. I haven't seen him play myself, but if he scores so many goals, he will be an added value.'
Gullit and Van Basten may be in Advocaat's still secret Top 25 for America. But the coach did not confirm that. The trainer would like to park his third goalkeeper with his three dropouts. Until recently, he had expected that the system of the last European Championship would be used in the US. One goalkeeper could be posted at home on call.
The training formats would benefit from such a decision by FIFA. If you can divide a group of 22 into two teams, that supports the smooth running of the preparation. In that context, Advocaat would also have liked to take a few extra players with him to Tunis. 'The English always do it too, but it is so difficult to send Dutch footballers into the stands.'

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Advocaat makes Bosman pay for Boskamp's indiscretions

The new World Cup coach, Dick Advocaat, is not to be messed with, a la Johan Cruijff. The national coach wrapped that message yesterday in the announcement that he has removed Johnny Bosman from his selection. The media had given the impression last week that Anderlecht coach Boskamp had gotten his way and had his striker suspended for one practice match of the Dutch national team.

That conclusion was incorrect, Advocaat argued on the eve of the practice match against Tunisia. After which he took all the time in room 121 of Hilton Tunis to outline the Bosman affair. The coach's explanation came down to the fact that Bosman had been punished for his coach's indiscretions. And that he wanted to set an example with the provisional 'suspension' of the reserve striker.

Advocaat: 'I received a call from Boskamp on Thursday evening, a quarter past six. He asked me to leave Bosman at home because they had to play against Seraing two days later. I don't give up a selection for that. If an international has to play a competition match the same day, I don't make a fuss about a Oranje practice match like that.

'I promised Boskamp that I would spare Bosman. De Boer and Bergkamp are first choice and Johnny could stay on the bench. An hour later I get a call from a journalist, with the whole story. Then I called Boskamp and Bosman and removed Johnny from the selection. You don't go around bragging about something like that. Otherwise I would have to deal with a precedent. And I would get every coach on the phone asking if I could spare a player and leave him out of the squad. It's also not in the interest of Bosman's colleagues and friends at Oranje.'

'I wanted to make it clear that cancellations cannot be made at any time. The group must know that I won't let anyone walk all over me. Otherwise these practice matches are pointless. I have to deal with the interests of the Dutch national team. I haven't made any agreements with any trainers, not even with Van Gaal. But of course it is always possible in a busy period that you let someone play half a match. Or try someone else.'

Johnnie Bosman was unpleasantly surprised by Advocaat's action. Incidentally, the national coach only called up Vitesse player Hans Gillhaus as a replacement a day later. That was to give Bosman another chance to defend his Oranje interest at Anderlecht.
The striker had not understood it that way, he said from Brussels. 'I was not at all aware that I could still secure my selection. I got the strong impression that the decision had already been made.'
Advocaat could have claimed Bosman with the regulations in hand. In that case, he would have punished the club for its less loyal attitude. Now Bosman has been sanctioned for an event in which he had no part. Advocaat, coldly: 'He should go to his trainer for that.'
The national coach indicated that Bosman will not return to his selection at the next opportunity. 'But if he scores a lot and plays well, he will return like all good players.'

The flexing of Advocaat's muscles seems to have been copied from his role model Rinus Michels, who tackled Ronald Koeman twice in 1990 and 1992. Advocaat himself had also made a move at the beginning of his own term of office. After criticism from Gullit about the tactics in a practice match against Italy, Advocaat his first game, he stripped the star player of the captain's armband in September '92.

 

Just see now there is a brief video for this

 

Also nice to see in the archives is how Napoli and Olympique Marseille had been associated with bribery and corruption long before 1993 and 1994.

1989-1990:
"More recently, the accusation of the Swiss former top referee Georges Sandoz. In early February, the man who has refereed more than thirty international matches in the past four years, pointed out the habit of clubs in Marseille, Florence and Naples to make the refereeing trio as favorable as possible."

https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBNRC01:000029604:mpeg21:a0136
https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010857558:mpeg21:p049

"The disciplinary committee of the European Football Union (UEFA) will open an investigation into alleged bribery practices of several top European clubs. The committee was put on the trail of the corruption by an interview with the former FIFA referee Georges Sandoz published on Friday in the Swiss newspaper 'Sport'. Sandoz states that he had been confronted with bribery attempts several times during his active career as an international referee."
[...]
According to Sandoz, referees and linesmen are almost always treated to a free evening of shopping outside of opening hours by Italian clubs Fiorentina and Napoli and French champions Olympique Marseille. In Greece and Spain, the club hosts are also more than generous, according to Sandoz."
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/1990/01/29/omkopin-6922373-a406327

Without mentioning specific clubs, this Swiss also pointed to the Spaniards and the Greeks (december 1989).

https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBNRC01:000029604:mpeg21:a0136

He indeed officiated Napoli (during their successful 1988-89 campaign) and Olympique Marseille.

In terms of the Spaniards, he once did a Spain vs Malta match (not the 1983 one, no) and some club matches but never one of the three Spanish giants.

How did UEFA react? Of course they did nothing. They only ended the career of this whistleblower.

His last three matches at the international stage involved Napoli (3rd last), Spain national team and Marseille (the last).

Thus about four years before Olympique Marseille was punished, in 1993, there was already a whistleblower... who saw his career ended as a result. Switzerland is of course, in the main and relatively speaking, a properly run country.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When in 1992 a whole scandal broke loose in Italy. The 'Clean Hands' operation, it also ended Napoli as a top level club.

Inter Milan coach sacked, Napoli board resigns

ROME, FEBRUARY 8. After a series of poor results, Inter Milan yesterday sacked coach Osvaldo Bagnoli, who is accused of making insufficient use of the qualities of Denis Bergkamp.

In a meeting with Inter president Pellegrini, Bagnoli refused to resign himself. Pellegrini then decided to fire him. Bagnoli was the seventh coach Inter had in the ten years that Pellegrini was president.
Inter has been eliminated from the Italian Cup race (by Sampdoria, a goal by Ruud Gullit) and after Sunday's defeat at home to Lazio is nine points behind leaders and arch-rivals AC Milan. The team is still in the race for the UEFA Cup, but has disappointed on many points. After a series of sensational signings, including Bergkamp and Jonk, Inter was seen as one of the main candidates for the national title at the start of the season.
Apart from the disappointing performance, with a tactic in which Bergkamp often failed to shine, the 58-year-old Bagnoli is also accused of poor contact with the players. His supporters have said that Pellegrini did not listen to the wishes of the coach, who had made Inter Milan's only serious rival last year, in his buying and selling policy. Bagnoli will be succeeded for the time being by Giampiero Marini, a former Inter player who was in charge of the club's youth department. Among the favourites for next season are Trappatoni (ex-Inter, now Juventus) and Luscescu (the Romanian coach of Brescia).
Former Napoli coach Ottavio Bianchi was appointed managing director of his former club yesterday. Napoli is virtually bankrupt, with a debt burden of around one hundred million guilders. To save the club, around eighteen million guilders are needed quickly. Bianchi has free rein to implement a restructuring plan, because the entire board of the club has resigned. The position of Corrado Ferlaino, the owner of the club (94 percent) and the person primarily responsible for the financial problems, is still unclear. The Italian Football Association and the municipality of Naples are closely involved in the rescue plan for the club. Incidentally, Napoli is not the only club in Serie A with major financial problems. Torino is also teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, with a debt exceeding one hundred million guilders.

--------------------------------------------------

This Ferlaino was in 1993 also one of the very first to be arrested, together with the AS Roma owner (26/05/1993). All fallout of the Clean Hands operation. This Napoli owner simply was one of the very obvious ones.

https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=KBNRC01:000031185:mpeg21:a0109
https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/27/sports/IHT-italian-clubs-reel-from-graft-probes.html
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/1993/05/26/eigenaar-napoli-gearresteerd-7184058-a499710

--------------------------------------------------

That 'transfer dude' Fabrizio Romano is of course also from Naples... As Zlatan Ibrahimovic would say, you can takes Fabrizio out of Naples but Naples not out of Fabrizio.

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/com...have_to_be_wary_of_fabrizio_romano/?rdt=37026

https://frenchfootballweekly.com/2024/03/02/fabrizio-romano-the-serious-accusation/

https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/more-scandinavian-teams-accuse-fabrizio-romano-of-buying-pr/
https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fa...r-scandal-in-denmark-20240301-WST-492459.html

"Here we go!" - hopefully in due time towards jail and bankruptcy.

--------------------------------------------------------

Also from that perspective interesting to see how well Gullit played for a 'lesser' team! (with foreigners who had been a catching colds in the stands for Juventus previously, David Platt).

 

One positive review in a 'quality' newspaper for this (by a then 34-year old female writer or so)


Gullit in Egypt seemed like a crazy plan, but it turned out pleasantly – thanks to Gullit himself

In an interview two years ago, Ruud Gullit mentioned that he had been crazy about ancient Egypt since he was a child, but had never seen a pyramid in real life. Now, in Ruud Gullit and the Mysteries of Ancient Egypt, we see how the football legend descends into a tomb within a basket. How he crawls on his knees through claustrophobic corridors on his way to a secret pyramid chamber. And how, a hundred years after its discovery, he comes face to face with Tutankhamun.
[...]

[...]
Thanks to his huge star status (his shirts are still sold in the souks of Cairo), Gullit is granted access to everything in Egypt. 'All he has to do to get the keys is ask for them', says De Bruin. What also helps: influential friends. The Egyptian former Ajax striker Mido (nickname: 'the King of Cairo') is happy to help him out and arranges a police escort to the Egyptian museum.
[...]
Many scenes are told as adventures in a comic book. Mido and Gullit after closing time with flashlights in a dark museum. They look at the museum treasures, including the famous golden death mask, with wide eyes. Gullit turns out to know an awful lot.
[...]
Gullit, deliberately a little naïve, goes in search of answers to questions that have occupied scientists for a long time. But if there are answers, Gullit, stubborn as he is, has a hard time accepting them. For example, he finds it indigestible that books and films always show white and rarely black pharaohs. While he sees a black man in many a pharaoh ('That's my nose!'). The scientist cannot determine that. 'Is he from China?', Gullit asks about a bust. 'No, of course not', says the Egyptologist. 'Well then!'
The fact that you go so far with what initially seems like a crazy plan (Gullit in Egypt? With playboy Mido?) is because of Gullit himself. He is genuinely interested, always cheerful and never blasé. When he says that he is grateful, it does not sound like the umpteenth celebrity dutifully sighing how special it is that he is allowed to do something, or to be somewhere. Gullit's words are filled with heartwarming sincerity.
He also seems to be fascinated by other lost civilizations. The Mayans, the Incas, the Aztecs. You can already picture the whole series: Ruud Gullit and the mystery of… Bring it on.

----------------------------------------

His mum worked for decades at the national museum. When it re-opened in 2013 (it was closed for 10 years!!!) Gullit featured in an introduction video.



Can you imagine the Louvre or Prado closes for 10 years? @Wiliam Felipe Gracek Here they say: it is not the end of the world, be patient, then you will all have a shiny new toy.

 

Don't know whether it was seen as "amazing" here but it received a positive evaluation, yes. Game is already covered here.

Yes, transfermarkt is not always complete or accurate with assists.

Okay, don't worry!

Next one will be this, early February 1994.

This one especially received very positive marks. It was just before he'd meet Advocaat in person. Coincidence?



https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2419755618132953&vanity=sampdoria

And this was aired just after, I think

 

Well, look at the skill here for example. At 1:05. It is not dribbling past four players, no, but it is very skilled.







This thread is about Gullit of course, but I think they're of the same level, yes. Rijkaard was one of the very best players at euro 1988 and euro 1992; probably the 2nd best player of Serie A (after Van Basten) when Milan went unbeaten in 1991-92. Then those last two seasons with Ajax and 'outplaying' Milan in all three games.

Anyway, I'll continue with Gullit tomorrow, and then starting with the Udinese game where he received very favorable reviews (just before he met Advocaat, with as result a return to the squad).

 

07/02/1994 - Tifosi atrocities arouse Gullit's anger

https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010866643:mpeg21:a0198

An incident where a 22-years old Sicilian jumps out of the train, obviously dies, in order to escape an assault by five supporters from Messina. Gullit says to 'La Republicca' that too few (Italian?) footballers really care about these returning deadly incidents. Gullit indicates that this makes him really angry.

-----------------------------------


(from 4:17 onward)

In Italy, Sampdoria's big win was eye-catching. In Genoa, Udinese was defeated with an 'un-Italian' scoreline of 6-2. Gullit had a hand in the first three goals, but did not score himself. Sampdoria moved up to second place after Juventus lost a point: 0-0 at Regginana. Leader AC Milan recovered from the home defeat in the Super Cup against Parma. Milan won 2-0 at AS Roma. City rivals Lazio won 2-1 against Inter in San Siro. The club of Bergkamp and Jonk took the lead with a magnificent goal by Ruben Sosa. Signori and Di Matteo, after a blunder by Inter goalkeeper Zenga, ensured the surprising Roman victory in the final phase. Lazio midfielder Thomas Doll leaves for Eintracht Frankfurt. The former East German, who moved to Italy from Hamburger SV in 1991, was surplus to requirements in Rome due to the surplus of foreigners. John van 't Schip scored a brilliant goal for Genoa in the away match against Napoli. The former Ajax player lobbed the ball from far over goalkeeper Galli, right into the top corner. Marciano Vink was on the bench for Genoa. The match ended in 1-1.

Other media:

In the Italian league, AC Milan avoided a difficult obstacle. The defending champion won the away match against AS Roma 2-0. Massaro and a rare goal by Maldini provided the production. The lead of the Milanese over Juventus grew to five points because the Turin club could not get past 0-0 at Reggiana. Sampdoria, with a four-point deficit, came in second place alone. They pulled out a big win against Udinese: 6-2. Although Ruud Gullit did not score, he made an important contribution. In Platt's first goal, he headed the ball onto the Englishman's foot. In the twentieth minute, Gullit was taken down, after which Jugovic was able to score from the penalty spot. The subsequent goal by Jugovic was also preceded by an action by Gullit. Parma, Ajax's opponent in the quarter-finals of the European Cup tournament for cup winners, survived the heavy fight in the stadium of Torino: 1-2. Defender Apolloni did after 27 minutes what Zola, Asprilla and Crippa had failed to do up to that point: score. Early in the second half, a combination between Asprilla, Crippa and Zola resulted in Turin midfielder Fortunato pushing the ball behind his own goalkeeper. Francescoli immediately booked success for the home team, but in the final phase, Parma's defence held firm. Inter Milan lost 2-1 at home to Lazio, who played without Gascoigne. The club of Bergkamp and Jonk seemed to be in the pink for a long time. After Ruben Sosa's goal in the 26th minute, it took until the final minutes before the Roman opponent could do something back. Standout Boksic was held by Inter defender Battistini. Signori's successful penalty was followed in the final minute by a sharp shot from Di Matteo, which goalkeeper Zenga had no chance against. Van 't Schip was the only Dutchman to score in the Italian league this time. He gave Genoa the lead against Napoli just before half-time. Di Canio equalised the score from a penalty. Bottom-placed Lecce finally got another point, at the expense of Piacenza.

------------------------------

Led by an inspired Ruud Gullit, Sampdoria humiliated Udinese 6-2 yesterday. The 31-year-old Dutchman had a hand in the first three goals, but did not score himself. Dennis Bergkamp and Wim Jonk were less successful. Their club Inter lost touch with the top after a 1-2 defeat against Lazio Roma.
The victory moved Sampdoria up to second place behind AC Milan. The league leaders made no mistake at AS Roma, 0-2. Massaro in the 11th and Maldini in the 77th minute scored the goals in front of 60,000 spectators in the Olympic stadium.
Gullit enabled Englishman Platt to make it 1-0 in the seventh minute of the match against low-ranking Udinese. Vladimir Jugovic then profited twice from preparatory work by the blossoming Dutchman. After Mancini's 4-0 in the 50th minute, the visitors responded with Pizzi and Desideri. Amoruso and Mancini extended the difference to four goals again.
Inter Milan seemed to be heading for a victory against Lazio for a long time. The lead, thanks to a goal by Sosa in the 25th minute, held until four minutes before the end. Signori and Di Matteo, who took advantage of a blunder by Inter goalkeeper Zenga, ensured a surprising Roman victory in the final phase. According to Aron Winter, that was justified: "We dictated the entire second half and took by far the most risk by playing with three strikers up front. That was a good tactic because Inter their defense gets into trouble when the team comes under pressure."

 

I thought Gullit was often a bad pundit, but it is always possible to be consistently more terrible (the 'great tackler' Paul Scholes):

I started the petition and I am outraged by the Man United transfer
https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ws/started-matthijs-de-ligt-petition-29721477

(good point by him about playing CL football since you're eighteen and what advantage that has; it is exactly this where we are cast aside by the marketeers - because four automatic entries for Italy, at odds with past Italian performances, has to come from somewhere)

----------------------------------------------------------------

08/02/1994 - Return of Gullit is a matter of pride

ZEIST (analysis by Matty Verkamman) - On 23 March 1982, the Dutch national team played a friendly match against Scotland in Glasgow. Because the KNVB had promised the Scots the return of Johan Cruijff, the match with 71,000 spectators was a box office success. Exactly twelve years later, on 23 March 1994, the Scottish Football Association hopes for the return of another Dutch star: Ruud Gullit. National coach Dick Advocaat holds the key. Can the Little General bring himself to ask Gullit again? Does he want to make room in the selection for the man he previously stripped of the captain's armband and who deeply offended him, the national coach, with his behaviour at Wembley?
[...]
Twelve years later, the run-up to the Netherlands-Scotland match is essentially about communication and regional problems again. Ruud Gullit was quite willing to be invited by Advocaat again in the final phase of the qualifying tournament. However, Advocaat thought that Gullit should first be big enough to pick up the phone and call him. That was too much to ask of this proud footballer. Gullit in turn thought it was crazy that Advocaat finally brandished a fax sent to Genoa. Gullit thought that was a particularly impersonal way of communicating. After the World Cup qualification in Poznan was a fact, Gullit did show his good will and his sympathetic side by congratulating Advocaat by telephone.
It is certain that Dick Advocaat greatly appreciated this gesture from the star player who had cheered up at Sampdoria, to such a degree he is now arguably the outstanding player of the league. Without the couple red cards [three red cards in three different games by march 1994 - PvH] and suspensions for Sampdoria they might well have led the table. However, this does not mean that all problems are now solved. It is not that far yet. Advocaat is prepared to have a good conversation in Italy. When exactly that will happen, is not known. Yesterday it was reported from the KNVB complex in Zeist that the national coach has a full agenda in the coming period. He has to go to Morocco, the US and Malta. But maybe he will combine one of those trips with a visit to Gullit.

It is a fact that the technical management of the Dutch national team has once again an extremely favourable report on the current form of Ruud Gullit. Assistant national coach Rinus Israël saw Gullit impress last week in Milan against Inter. He did this in what was then the most difficult position in the team, advanced in the forward line. And if Advocaat has the choice between the sometimes rarely scoring Ronald de Boer and a Gullit in form, well, then it is not difficult anymore. How much Advocaat is interested in Gullit again, can be seen from Israël's trip. In the city where Israel was the first Dutchman to receive a European Cup almost a quarter of a century earlier, he had booked into the Hotel Grand Brun. Sampdoria had previously stayed in that accommodation for matches against AC Milan and Inter. Israël hoped to meet Gullit there for an initial conversation, but that did not happen. On the previous occasion, Sampdoria had followed the stay in Grand Brun with a defeat against Inter. Out of superstition, Gullit and his team had moved to another hotel.

In the Italian football world of pride and inflated egos, Gullit is currently actually about to overcome those two aspects. That needs some empathy. When everyone still thought that Johan Cruijff would be the coach in America, Gullit spoke ugly words about Advocaat and his approach at Oranje. By opting for an open rebellion that Advocaat-Israel did not understand at all after his substitution with Peter van Vossen at Wembley, something broke in the coaches. That was understandable, because Gullit played a particularly mediocre match against the weak English left back Martin Keown. When Gullit, certainly the ideal ambassador for Dutch football to the people abroad, also said that he only wanted to return to the Dutch national team under Cruijff, Advocaat could rightly feel insulted. But Dick Advocaat also realizes very well that he will reduce the pressure on the boiler as soon as he embraces national hero Gullit again. If Gullit is also smart enough to whisper a few words of regret, no one will have any problems with the comeback of the most sympathetic and endearing captain the Dutch national team ever had.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

(cannot find a video unfortunately)

Loss Parma in Italian Cup

Genoa, febr. 9 - Parma lost the first match in the semi-final of the Italian Cup yesterday. Sampdoria was too strong for Ajax's upcoming opponent in the European Cup in Genoa, 2-1. Parma was the better team for a long time. Aprilla gave the team the lead. After the restart Sampdoria became stronger. Lombardo equalized in the 54th minute. A minute and a half later Platt made it 2-1. Without Gullit, who left the field ten minutes before the end with a minor injury, Sampdoria held on to the lead in the final phase. The return match is in two weeks. (ANP)

Ankle injury for Gullit

sports editor AMSTERDAM Sampdoria has taken a cautious step towards the final of the Italian Cup tournament. Ruud Gullit's club won the first leg of the quarter-finals, on home soil, 2-1 against Parma. The return leg is next week in Parma, Gullit did not see the end of the match. He injured his ankle and had to leave the field minutes before the end

------------------------------

14/02/1994 - Italian football
[...]
The difference between AC Milan and the pursuers Juventus and Parma therefore remains five points. Sampdoria is again one point behind the two pursuers of the leader. After the victory in the first of two cup matches against Parma - on Wednesday it was 2-1 in Genoa - the team without Gullit now went down with the same figures. "An undeserved defeat", said Gullit, who watched from the sidelines with a muscle and ankle injury. "But for us this loss is not dramatic. We never claimed to be able to compete for the championship. We are mainly concerned with qualifying for European football." Parma's winning goal came in injury time. Zola was the scorer. Thanks to a goal from Jugovic, Samp had still been ahead at half-time. The equalizer was scored by Minotti.

------------------------------------------------------------

14/02/1994 - Gullit: never right-winger again

From one of our reporters GENOA - Ruud Gullit has opened the door to the Dutch national team again. The Sampdoria striker, who resigned from the Dutch national team after last year's qualifying match against England, also wants to go to the World Cup in the United States under Dick Advocaat under certain conditions. "But not as a right winger," he stated yesterday in the TV Sport program. "If Advocaat comes to Genoa to talk about the right winger position, he would be better off staying in the Netherlands," said Gullit, who has already scored eleven goals for Sampdoria. "That position is a thing of the past as far as I'm concerned. Now that I play in a free role at Sampdoria, I don't want to go back to the position of right winger." "I will never play in that position again in my life, not with the Dutch national team, not with Sampdoria, not anywhere. Never again as a right winger. I would like to go to the United States but there is more in life than a World Cup. If Advocaat selects me, I will go, but not in the old situation. Not as a right winger,” he repeated for clarity.

Gullit previously held that position in the Dutch national team “in the interest of the team. That interest is not there now. Playing in thirty-five degrees and eighty percent humidity without a right back behind you as support, I am not going to do that. It makes everyone look silly. The US Cup of last summer between the big countries [USA, Germany, England, Brazil - pause here for a second I'd say...] should give you enough information.” “I used to play right winger in the Dutch national team for the collective. There was no one for that position, so I played there. I sacrificed myself for the team. I have always done that.”

“For example, at the European Championship in Germany (1988) I went through a less good period, but I did serve the collective. I constantly supported our best player, Marco van Basten. In that way you help the collective. I think that should always happen. The team should play in the service of the best man. At the moment that is Dennis Bergkamp for the Netherlands. The focus should be on him.” Gullit aspires to a free role in the centre of the attack in the Dutch national team. "An interaction with Bergkamp in the centre of the attack is a possibility. Bergkamp is, as it stands now, one of the best players in the world in my opinion," the Sampdoria midfielder mused. Although Dick Advocaat did not want to comment on Gullit's comments yet, he has previously hinted that he wants to use him as a striker when he returns. That could be as an advanced striker, but also in Bergkamp's place behind the central attacker.

--------------------------------------------------

19/02/1994 - In my eyes you remain for always fantastic
[Column by Ben de Graaf - in the 1970s he was notorious for his acid and sceptical opinions; in the 1974WC the players of Oranje threw him in the swimming pool and did again in 1978]

If it were up to Nelson Mandela, Ruud Gullit would immediately be promoted to captain of the Dutch national team again. And this summer he would be allowed to do whatever he wanted on the fields in America. Jumping, heading, dragging, scoring and cheering. The footballing "example for black youth" - if Mandela says so it is not racism - was in the Netherlands for a few days to liven up a television campaign that was supposed to help the ANC with money and votes in the upcoming elections in South Africa. Gullit surprised Mandela with the Golden Ball that he had earned in 1987 as player of the year, and with a shirt of his current club Sampdoria. The jersey of AC Milan would undoubtedly have been less appropriate. Gullit's previous club is the successful symbol of the populist right with financier Berlusconi as the smooth-talking, politically power-hungry figurehead. Gullit gets along just as well with Berlusconi, who has still escaped all the corruption scandals - his slightly less clever brother is awaiting trial - as he does with Mandela. The leader of the political party 'Forza Italia' regrets having let the Dutchman leave for Sampdoria. 'His charisma remains unique', Berlusconi says. 'He gives a team self-confidence, it radiates on others even if he doesn't play.' Dick Advocaat completely agrees. But the national coach no longer sees the flamboyant player as a leader of the Dutch national team, certainly not during a tough tournament like the one for the world title. In addition, Gullit withdrew from the decisive matches in the qualifying tournament and only wants to consider a return to the Dutch national team if he is promised a freed role. In any case, he never wants to languish on the right winger again. At the beginning of January, Advocaat was supposed to have gone to Genoa to smoke the peace pipe and discuss a possible contribution of Gullit to the World Cup. However, it did not happen.
[...]

--------------------------------



Again leading role for Gullit

ROME, 22 FEB. In a week in which he met Nelson Mandela and cleared up all the old wounds with Dick Advocaat, Ruud Gullit scored twice yesterday with Sampdoria against Atalanta (3-1). His team thus drew level with Juventus. The Dutchman scored his twelfth and thirteenth goals of the season in the first half, in the 29th and 34th minutes respectively. Lombardo made it 3-0 shortly after half-time. In the final phase, Atalanta, in danger of relegation, did something to recover. Inter, with Bergkamp with a slight knee injury in the team, played disappointingly again. In San Siro, the score against Napoli remained 0-0. The troubled home team was happy with that. The difference with the Neapolitans, who are a threat in the battle for qualification for international football, remained one point in Inter's favour. Genoa managed to stay on their feet at Reggiana with some difficulty. The 1-1 provided an important point in the battle against relegation. The Dutch players Vink and Van 't Schip played well. Vink, who was a regular for the second time in a row, even received a compliment from coach Scoglio. The former Ajax player, a long-time spectator in the stands in Genoa, is feeling positive again because of this. He is even thinking about the Dutch national team again. "I feel like I have played well the last two weeks. National coach Advocaat said that I have a chance of being selected for the World Cup if I play every week. I have recently regained hope." For the time being, Vink has also decided against an interim departure. Trainer Scoglio has opted for the foreign trio Van 't 'Schip, Vink and Skuhravy for the time being. Petrescu and Detari are in the stands. The future will be problematic if Genoa is relegated. Only two foreigners are allowed to play in Serie B. At AC Milan — Lazio, Massaro was the match winner. He scored in the 45th minute for the national champions, after the ball had bounced back from the crossbar following an effort by Eranio.

22/02/1994 - Gullit again a tastemaker

ROME — Ruud Gullit showed Sampdoria the way to triumph with two goals last night Atalanta (3-1). With thirteen goals, he occupies joint second place on the top scorers list. Baggio is the leader with fourteen. And should there still be any doubt about a third consecutive Italian title for Milan? Every week the gap with the competition grows wider, the gap is six points since yesterday and that with ten rounds to go. The champion does not even have to work hard for it. When the 1-0 falls, the bolt goes on the door at the back and it is then a matter of playing out the game and time-wasting the game. That tactic yields beautiful results. Milan is indestructible. Of course, Van Basten's return is awaited. You hear that after every match. Perhaps then the production will again take on the form that befits a champion. Because it remains paltry: twenty-four goals in twenty-four encounters. What on earth is left of a type like Jean-Pierre Papin? Or Raducioiu, Brian Laudrup and Savicevic? Yesterday afternoon, in the capital city stadium Olimpico (71,000), it was 1-0 at Lazio Roma. Between the posts, the tall Rossi has not been passed for 863 minutes now. The record is held by Zoff, who in 1973 stopped everything for 903 minutes in a row at Juventus. On the stroke of half-time, Massaro paid close attention when an effort from Eranio came back off the crossbar. In the dressing room, coach Capello was able to tell his men that the pursuers Juventus had been held to a 1-1 draw by Torino in the derby in Delle Alpi (43,000) and that Parma had even been defeated 3-2 by Foggia. Incidentally, that last confrontation was full of excitement. Ajax's upcoming opponent in the EC-2 was already 2-0 up after seventeen minutes thanks to Zola and Asprilla. But Foggia, Brian Roy's club, did not feel at all exhausted. The Russian Kolyvanov dismissed the match with two goals, and Cappellini also had success once (3-2). Inter struggled again, this time in Meazza (27,000) against Napoli: 0-0 and red for Fontolan. The fifth red card of the season. Inter are twelve points behind Milan.

 

Interesting take and perspective by 'chief sports' Jaap de Groot (26/02/1994) of De Telegraaf (who would later become a ghostwriter for Cruijff - and according to some sceptics - one of his hitmen, as implied by the to-English-translated Auke Kok book for example).


Farewell in style

NEW VORK, Saturday The gesture was telling. With a thumbs up, World Cup organizer Alan Rothenberg responded in New York to the news that Ruud Gullit is available again for the Dutch national team and will therefore also be present during the '94 World Cup. An event that, as far as the Americans are concerned, should be overflowing with appealing stars. Because it is precisely that aspect, so crucial for the United States, that has caused problems in recent months. One by one they dropped out or were kept out of the picture. England, to a lesser extent France and neighbors Canada are out. Then the stars. Pelé during the draw in Las Vegas was out, and Diego Maradona was out for the exhibition match between Germany and Argentina (played in Miami). Add to that the absence of Johan Cruyff and the doubts surrounding Marco van Basten and it will be clear that the return of Ruud Gullit has been received with cheers by Alan Rothenberg and his team. The same Alan Rothenberg who immediately after the press conference where the KNVB announced the break with Johan Cruyff in Las Vegas exclaimed in annoyance: "Why do the Dutch always shoot themselves in their own feet?" And added: "Does this also mean that I (...) have now also lost Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit?"

After that, Alan Rothenberg would continue to inquire and phone the KNVB about the state of affairs regarding a possible return of Ruud Gullit to the Dutch national team. With the incomprehension of the American, who does not understand the so-called principled behavior and stubbornness of the Dutch. Dick Advocaat deserves the honor of finally bringing light into the darkness. Precisely in a period in which the KNVB was constantly a target of criticism and ridicule. Moreover, the reconciliation between Ruud Gullit and the national coach did not come at the expense of anyone's authority and that in itself is a major achievement. In fact, the way in which the news was announced only elicited positive reactions. Both inside and outside the Netherlands. An important moral triumph for Dick Advocaat, but especially for Ruud Gullit. Exactly eight months ago, written off by everyone and everything, now enjoying the most beautiful revenge imaginable. Because Ruud Gullit responded to the sceptics with his performances on the field. Offended in his pride by the management of AC Milan and a large part of the Dutch football profession, he went on a quest for rehabilitation at Sampdoria. With a passion that amazed the enthusiast every week.
[...]

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What also played in the background: back then the national team was sponsored by the Italian clothing firm Lotto. Ruud Gullit himself was one of the biggest faces, if not the biggest, for this Italian company. The Italians placed some lobbying and pressure behind the scenes. Before this there was a time when Oranje was sponsored by Adidas, and just as with Cruijff, this resulted in occasional conflicts.



This is of course logical: if you pay Gullit good money, and you also pay the KNVB, then you will make a phonecall to ask why those two are separated.

Ronald Koeman would later claim - when Gullit dropped out again (for the last time) - there had been "outside elements" at work to make Gullit drop out, but that is for a later time.

 

Or a few months earlier, december 1993:

Alan Rothenberg, head of the World Cup organization, said: "A World Cup is made by the stars. Without stars, the event loses its shine. After Pele, Johan Cruyff is currently the most famous foreign footballer in America. His absence is therefore very disappointing, especially if it would also mean that celebrities such as Ruud Gullit and perhaps Marco van Basten will stay away."

It is stated in a few papers that this mr Rothenberg made some phonecalls (lobbying? pressure?) to the KNVB, to let Gullit return.

 

Gullit in 2004:


Berlusconi in 1992 (and that it is economic destruction to let Milan go out in the 1st round):

 

That was a Rijkaard tunnel vs Marseille, 1991.

30 years later:

Naughty @VirgilvDijk pic.twitter.com/kCl1K3Ripi

— The Anfield Talk (@TheAnfieldTalk) October 11, 2021

Nicely done, @VirgilvDijk 😯🥜

Made even better by the celebratory dance 🤣 pic.twitter.com/RZWnYxA2ai

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 30, 2021

Know your classics

Do you know a nutmeg by Gullit @Wiliam Felipe Gracek ? @PDG1978 ? Can't remember it now, but it's harder for the ones who aren't among your favorites I guess.