Dutch star Neeskens, former Socceroos coach, dies at 73

[Pelican Press 0]

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Dutch star Neeskens, former Socceroos coach, ***** at 73

Former Netherlands midfielder Johan Neeskens, considered one of the best midfielders of his generation, has ***** at the age of 73.

Neeskens, who worked as a coach with the Socceroos in 2005-2006, fell ill while working with in Algeria. The cause of ****** has not been revealed.

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), on whose WorldCoaches project he was in ******* on behalf of, confirmed his ****** on Monday.

“The world not only says goodbye to a gifted sportsman but above all, to a compassionate, driven and wonderful person,” the KNVB said.

Neeskens was part of the Dutch sides that lost the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals and in 2004 was named one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers by FIFA. He won 49 caps for his country.

A former box-to-box midfielder who was renowned for his stamina, grit and skill, Neeskens spent the majority of his playing career at Ajax Amsterdam, where he won the ********* Cup three seasons in a row between 1971-73, and at Barcelona, at both clubs alongside compatriot Johan Cruyff.

After retirement he was an assistant coach for the Dutch national team at the 1998 World Cup as they finished fourth, and later worked under Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona.

In between he worked under Guus Hiddink alongside Graham Arnold during Australia’s 2006 World Cup campaign.

He also had a spell as head coach at South ******** club Mamelodi Sundowns, which was his final role in professional football and ended in 2012.

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