Gullit, Ruud

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Dutch international footballer who was captain when the Netherlands captured the European Championship in 1988. After playing in the Netherlands with Haarlem, Feyenoord, and PSV Eindhoven, he transferred to AC Milan in 1987. In the first of two successive European Cup wins with the club, Gullit scored two goals in a 4–0 win over Steaua Bucharest. In 1995 he transferred from Sampdoria to Chelsea, where he was appointed player-manager in May 1996. Gullit became the first foreign manager to win the English FA Cup when Chelsea won the competition in 1997. He was sacked as player-coach of Chelsea in 1998 and was replaced by the club's international striker Gianluca Vialli. Also in 1998, he was appointed manager of Newcastle United in succession to Kenny Dalglish. He took Newcastle to the FA Cup final against Manchester United but was unable to repeat his 1997 success with Chelsea. In August 1999, just three weeks into the 1999–2000 season, Gullit resigned as Newcastle United manager after the team had gained only one point in their first five matches.

Career highlights

International appearances (1981–94)
66 (17 goals)

Dutch League Championship
1984, 1986, 1987

Italian League Championship
1988, 1992, 1993

Dutch Cup
1984

Italian Cup
1994

English FA Cup
1997

European Championship
1988

European Cup
1989, 1990

European Super Cup
1989, 1990

Awards
European Footballer of the Year
1987

Black and red recall the tunics worn by soldiers during the Napoleonic wars. Gold was added to create a flag similar to the French tricolour, a symbol of revolution. Effective date: 23 May 1949. >>