Stevo - does Ruud Gullit get himself into the papers much these days? What's he doing? What was the Dutch take on his leaving the Toon?

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2000

Answers

Ruud kept a low profile for most of last season. His ignominious departure from the gallowgate produced no small amount of schadenfraude in the Dutch media where Ruud is frequently portrayed as aloof and arrogant. His sudden refusal to play during USA'94 has not been forgiven or forgotten here. His biggest splash was marrying into the Cruyff family having tied the knot with the 'lovely' Estelle.

Recently, though, Ruud has begon to make noises about wanting another crack at management. He admitted his exit from SJP had left him emotionally and physically drained (I think we can all relate to that Ruud). He penned a column for magazine that suggested the batteries were recharged he was open to offers. So far they've been conspicous by there absence. I suspect he's in a catch-22 situation. Too big a name for most clubs, but too dodgy a CV for the bigger sides. Significantly when Feyenoord, the club Ruud claims most affinity with, were scouting around for a replacement for Leo Beenhakker I don't recall hearing his name once.

It could have all been so very different. Following Rijkaard's suprise resignation it was revealed that post France'98 a number of coaches had been approached ahead of him for the Dutch national job: Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Wim Jansen and...... Ruud Gullit.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2000

thanks for that Steve. I hope he learnt some humility after leaving us...

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2000

Thanks, Stevo. Very interesting. I honestly hope he gets some coaching job as even Big Al says he is a brilliant technical coach.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2000