Introduction

It seems hard to say something about Ruud Gullit which would not have been said already: this football legend is well known even to people who do not follow football. Indeed, Ruud Gullit is an extraordinary character combining outstanding power, technique, leadership and personal traits. He emerged in the 1970s amid Amsterdam clubs and then managed to win the European Cup, win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award and develop the style of football of the late 1980s, being known all over the globe.

Early rise in Amsterdam

Born on 1 September 1962 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ruud Gullit became one of those personalities who gained popularity on the football ground not only because of the achievements but also because of his playing style. He joined HFC Haarlem in 1979 and right there it could be seen that he is one of those players who can perform excellently in a number of different situations, not specializing in one certain area. His athletic appearance together with a calm style and a feeling of confidence makes him stand out among others.

After moving on to Feyenoord, famous for its historical significance for Dutch football, Gullit became known not just at HFC Haarlem but all over the country. At that club he develops his playing qualities and grows up to a full-blown star, combining excellent physical qualities and tactical vision together with technique and calmness when it comes to performing with the ball at his feet.

Then, having left Feyenoord, Gullit joins the famous PSV Eindhoven team, confirming that he was already the best Dutch footballer, thus deserving an opportunity to join European giants.

Thus, his playing career started in HFC Haarlem in 1979 and continued in:

  • HFC Haarlem – 1979
  • Feyenoord, where he became one of the most popular figures in Dutch football
  • PSV Eindhoven, becoming the best player of his country
  • AC Milan, joining this team in 1987, Gullit reaches the very top of his career and becomes a key member of an exceptional Milan squad

Milan and the Dutch golden era

Joining AC Milan in 1987, Gullit manages to change not only his career but also the face of European football. At AC Milan, he became part of the team which was called to revolutionize football, and this team could not do it alone without the efforts of Gullit. AC Milan under Arrigo Sacchi, playing a game built on high intensity and tactical discipline as well as great technique from players, required someone like Gullit. And indeed, Gullit became one of the most significant elements in AC Milan's style.

This footballer, who was capable of contributing in build-ups, carrying the ball through midfield, attacking using attacking positions and possessing the physical edge to the game without losing elegance, could become the perfect player for such style. All this, along with the Ballon d'Or he received in 1987, makes his presence in this team very justified.

And besides being one of the greatest players at the club at AC Milan, this Dutchman helped his team to be remembered for their amazing playing style as well as for their European dominance.

In 1988, Ruud Gullit became the captain of the Dutch national team, helping to lead it to the European Championship victory, one of the Netherlands' most celebrated international achievements. This victory made Gullit one of the symbols of the Dutch golden era in football, not only for his skills but also for leadership.

And the final step of his club career is Chelsea, which he joined in 1995.

For those last years of Ruud Gullit's playing career, he became that experienced footballer who influences the team by his football intelligence regardless of whether he plays or not.

Player-manager and legacy

Perhaps the most unusual episode of the career of Ruud Gullit occurred when he joined Chelsea as a player-manager in 1996, showing once again that it is easy to trust him because of the leadership skills and intelligence he possesses. And as a consequence, in 1997 Chelsea won the Football Association Cup and Ruud Gullit got one more successful accomplishment of his managerial career.

Later Gullit became manager in Newcastle United and then came back to his former Feyenoord club. Having transferred to management, Ruud Gullit tries to bring not only experience but also unique vision of the game. Not all of his management jobs can be characterized as highly successful, though they show his football intelligence and the high requirements of his standards of football.

Thus, Ruud Gullit brings not only great experience and successful achievements, but also football playing style, which became very popular in the next decades: tall players possessing physical power, excellent technical skills and ability to operate in various positions.

Conclusion

Ruud Gullit became the symbol of the whole era and thus his career deserves separate attention. Starting in HFC Haarlem and rising to the top of the game, Gullit becomes the player and person who is worth respecting.