Frank Rijkaard

File:Ajax selectie seizoen 1981 1982 nr. 140a E. Ophof speler, nr. 15a F. Rijka, Bestanddeelnr 253-8568.jpg

Rijkaard was born in Amsterdam. His father Herman (1935–2010){{Cite news |url=http://www.at5.nl/artikelen/49342/vader-van-frank-rijkaard-overleden |title=Vader van Frank Rijkaard overleden |date=2 October 2010 |newspaper=at5.nl |language=nl-NL|access-date=19 November 2016|archive-date=20 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120011156/http://www.at5.nl/artikelen/49342/vader-van-frank-rijkaard-overleden|url-status=live}} was a Surinamese footballer who arrived in the Netherlands along with the father of Ruud Gullit and his mother Neel is Dutch; the two boys grew up playing football together in the city.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jun/25/euro2000.sport5 |title=Rijkaard finally gets frank |author=Simon Kuper |date=25 June 2000 |work=The Guardian|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107085829/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jun/25/euro2000.sport5|url-status=live}} Rijkaard was just 17 when Ajax coach Leo Beenhakker gave him his senior squad debut on 23 August 1980. He made an immediate impact, scoring the third goal in a 4–2 away victory over Go Ahead Eagles, the first league match in the 1980–81 season. He would play another 23 games for Ajax in his first season, netting four goals. In 1981–82, he won his first league championship with Ajax and went on to successfully defend the title the following season.

Rijkaard stayed at Ajax for seven-and-a-half seasons. During this period, he won the Dutch league championship three times (1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85) and the Dutch Cup three times (1982–83, 1985–86, 1986–87). In the 1986–87 season, he won the Cup Winners' Cup with Ajax over Lokomotiv Leipzig, winning 1–0. In September 1987, what would have been Rijkaard's third season (1987–88) under Dutchman Johan Cruyff as head coach, Rijkaard stormed off the training field and vowed never to play under him again. He was subsequently signed by Sporting CP, but he signed too late to be eligible to play in any competition. He was immediately loaned out to Real Zaragoza, but upon completing his first season at Zaragoza was signed by AC Milan.

Rijkaard played for five seasons at Milan. Playing alongside fellow country-men Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, Rijkaard won the European Cup twice (in 1989 against Steaua București and 1990, against Benfica) and the domestic Serie A championship twice. In the 1990 European Cup Final, he scored the only goal to win the cup for Milan.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/24/great-european-cup-teams-milan |title=The great European Cup teams: Milan 1989-90 |work=The Guardian |last1=Bandini |first1=Nicky |date=24 May 2013 |access-date=3 November 2019 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102140047/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/may/24/great-european-cup-teams-milan |url-status=live}}

After five seasons in Italy, Rijkaard returned to Ajax in 1993. With Louis van Gaal at the helm, Rijkaard and Danny Blind formed the experienced defensive core of the Ajax team that won the first two of three consecutive Dutch championships. Ajax were the unbeaten champions of the Netherlands in the 1994–95 season, and carried that success into Europe. In his final game, Rijkaard won the Champions League with a 1–0 victory over his former club Milan in the 1995 final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/24/a-volcano-that-exploded-the-95-ajax-side-that-changed-european-football |title='A volcano that exploded': the '95 Ajax side that changed European football |work=The Guardian |date=24 May 2020 |access-date=24 May 2020 |first=Nick |last=Ames |archive-date=24 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524072638/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/24/a-volcano-that-exploded-the-95-ajax-side-that-changed-european-football |url-status=live}}

File:Frank Rijkaard and Carmen Sandries 1985.jpg

In 1981, Rijkaard debuted for the Netherlands national football team during a friendly match against Switzerland.{{Cite web|title=Van spugen op Völler tot de 3 van Milaan: alles over Frank Rijkaard|url=https://voetbalflitsen.nl/nieuws/2jdwt5/alles-over-frank-rijkaard|website=Voetbal Flitsen|date=13 September 2023|access-date=21 October 2024|language=nl}} He was part of the Dutch side that won UEFA Euro 1988 with a 2–0 victory in the final against the Soviet Union, playing at centre-back alongside Ronald Koeman.{{Cite web|first=Paulius|last=Kundzelevicius|title=The History of The UEFA Euro: 1988, Van Basten and the Dutch Conquest|url=https://cultofcalcio.com/the-history-of-the-uefa-euro-1988-van-basten-and-the-dutch-conquest/|website=Cult of Calcio|date=18 May 2021|access-date=21 October 2024}}

At UEFA Euro 1992, Rijkaard set up Dennis Bergkamp's only goal of the match in the Netherlands' opening victory against Scotland,{{Cite news|first=Jordan|last=Elgott|title=Scotland: Remembering Euro 92 28 years on|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52942991|website=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=8 June 2020|access-date=21 October 2024}} and scored the opening goal in a 3–1 victory over Germany in their final first round match, which allowed them to top their group.{{Cite news|first=Ian|last=Thompsen|title=Quick Netherlands Attack Surprises Germany 3-1|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/19/sports/IHT-quick-netherlands-attack-surprises-germany-31.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=19 June 1992|access-date=21 October 2024}} At the semi-final stage against eventual champions Denmark, after setting up Bergkamp's opening goal, Rijkaard scored a late equalizer for the Netherlands in a 2–2 draw, but the Dutch went out on penalties, despite Rijkaard successfully netting his spot-kick.{{Cite web|first=Juanjo|last=Montero|title=Denmark: The Unlikely Champions of the 1992 European Championship|url=https://breakingthelines.com/historical-series/denmark-the-unlikely-champions-of-the-1992-european-championship/|website=Breaking The Lines|date=28 June 2024|access-date=21 October 2024}} In the quarter-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, he made his final appearance for the Netherlands in the 3–2 defeat against eventual winners Brazil.{{Cite news|first=Barney|last=Ronay|title=World Cup questions: Why didn't the great Dutch teams of the 1990s win it?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/13/world-cup-questions-why-didnt-the-great-dutch-teams-of-the-1990s-win-it|newspaper=The Guardian|date=13 April 2020|access-date=17 October 2024}}

File:Zeist, training Nederlands elftal in verband met interland tegen Malta v.l.n.r., Bestanddeelnr 932-8072.jpg, Erwin Koeman and Ruud Gullit in the Dutch national team in 1983]]

Rijkaard was the cause of an incident with Rudi Völler when West Germany played the Netherlands in the second round of the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Rijkaard was booked for a tackle on Völler and, as Rijkaard took up position for the free kick, he spat in Völler's hair. Völler complained to the referee and was booked as well. From the resulting free kick, Völler then handled the ball and then went to the ground (according to his own account) to avoid a collision with Dutch keeper Hans van Breukelen, while others, notably Rijkaard and van Breukelen, saw Voller's handball and his resulting action as a dive in hopes for a penalty. Van Breukelen was angry at this but Rijkaard, already annoyed by Völler's previous antics, again confronted the West German by twisting his ear and stamping on his foot. Argentine referee Juan Carlos Loustau sent off both Rijkaard and Völler. As he jogged back to the entrance tunnel, Rijkaard again spat in Völler's hair as they left the pitch. Germany won the match 2–1 and eventually went on to win the tournament.{{Cite news|title=World Cup: 25 stunning moments... No19: Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Völler|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/22/25-stunning-world-cup-moments-|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 May 2014|access-date=2 April 2015|archive-date=29 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629181638/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/22/25-stunning-world-cup-moments-|url-status=live}} The German press nicknamed him "Llama" for his spitting. Rijkaard would later apologise for his behaviour to Völler, who accepted.{{Cite web|title=Classic Snapshot: Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Völler|url=http://bundesliga.theoffside.com/international/classic-snapshot-frank-rijkaard-and-rudi-voller.html|access-date=6 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829041936/http://bundesliga.theoffside.com/international/classic-snapshot-frank-rijkaard-and-rudi-voller.html |archive-date=29 August 2013}}

Regarded as one of the greatest players ever in his position, Rijkaard was a quick, strong, complete and tenacious defensive midfielder, who was praised by pundits throughout his career for his physical and athletic attributes, his work rate, positioning, his acute tactical intelligence and decision-making, as well as his outstanding consistency and ability to read the game. Due to his aggression and versatility, he was also capable of playing as a central or box-to-box midfielder, and even in a defensive role, usually in the centre.{{cite web |url=http://www.acmilan.com/it/archive/show_player/Frank-Rijkaard |title=AC Milan Hall of Fame: Frank Rijkaard |publisher=AC Milan|access-date=9 December 2014|archive-date=2 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102195726/http://www.acmilan.com/it/archive/show_player/Frank-Rijkaard|url-status=live}} Although Rijkaard was known as a strong tackler, he was surprisingly elegant for a player of his size, and also possessed good technique, passing ability, link-up play, and vision, which made him adept at starting attacking plays as a deep-lying playmaker once he won back possession.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/apr/22/where-have-box-to-box-midfielders-gone |title=The Question: is the box-to-box midfielder dead? |work=The Guardian |author1=Jonathan Wilson |date=22 April 2009|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-date=9 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309012924/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/apr/22/where-have-box-to-box-midfielders-gone|url-status=live}} He was also capable of playing in more advanced roles as an attacking midfielder or second striker. Due to his height and physical strength, he excelled in the air; possessed a powerful shot; and was capable of getting forward and contributing to his team's attacking plays by making late runs into the penalty area.{{cite web |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ruud-gullit-perfect-xi#:PzGSoTgQUwmnAA |title=Ruud Gullit: Perfect XI |publisher=Four Four Two |author1=Hitesh Ratna |date=1 December 2007|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107085829/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ruud-gullit-perfect-xi#:PzGSoTgQUwmnAA|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.magliarossonera.it/protagonisti/Gioc-Rijkaard.html |title=Franklin Edmundo RIJKAARD |publisher=magliarossonera.it |language=it|access-date=23 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044200/http://www.magliarossonera.it/protagonisti/Gioc-Rijkaard.html|url-status=live}} Rijkaard was described by British broadsheet The Daily Telegraph as having been "a stylish player of faultless pedigree". In 2004, Rijkaard was named in the FIFA 100, Pelé's list of the 125 World's Greatest Living Footballers.

Rijkaard worked as assistant to Guus Hiddink with the Netherlands national team during the 1998 World Cup; this was his first experience of coaching, as he had taken a break from football after retiring as a player. At the World Cup, the Netherlands lost the semi-final to Brazil on penalties.{{Cite news |date=2000-06-04 |title=Rijkaard unites the orange factions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jun/04/euro2000.sport3 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |date=2000-12-12 |title=Frank Rijkaard |url=http://www.euro2000.org/en/teams/netherlandscoach/0,1068,,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001212070500/http://www.euro2000.org/en/teams/netherlandscoach/0,1068,,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2000-12-12 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=euro2000.org}} When Hiddink resigned as manager, Rijkaard was chosen as his replacement, although he was not first choice.{{Cite news |last=Kuper |first=Simon |date=2000-06-25 |title=Rijkaard finally gets frank |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jun/25/euro2000.sport5 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |date=2000-12-15 |title=Rijkaard calls time on coaching tenure |url=http://www.euro2000.org/en/news/story/0,1068,55035,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001215022800/http://www.euro2000.org/en/news/story/0,1068,55035,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2000-12-15 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=euro2000.org}}

As the Netherlands were joint hosts of UEFA Euro 2000, they did not take part in the qualifiers, playing only friendlies for two years. In Rijkaard's first game, the Netherlands beat Peru 2-0. Between October 1998 and November 1999, they did not win a single game, drawing nine and losing to Morocco and Brazil.{{Cite news |date=1998-11-13 |title=Rijkaard is green light for orange boom |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1998/nov/13/newsstory.sport6 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

At Euro 2000, the Dutch team topped the group with three wins; 1–0 against the Czech Republic, 3–0 against Denmark and 3–2 against France. In the quarter-final, beat Yugoslavia 6-1, breaking the record for the biggest win at a European Championship.{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |title=Kluivert stars in EURO 2000 quarter-finals as Oranje leave Yugoslavia in shade |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d7b2f7c6f2a-f1388db8ae64-1000--kluivert-stars-in-euro-2000-quarter-finals-as-oranje-leave/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=UEFA |language=en}} The Netherlands played some of the best football of the tournament, but lost their semi-final match to ten-man Italy on penalties, having also missed two penalties in regular time; Rijkaard resigned immediately afterwards.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/holland/812243.stm "Rijkaard quits after semi-final loss"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315184812/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/holland/812243.stm |date=15 March 2008 }}. BBC Sport. 29 June 2000. Retrieved 2 April 2013.{{Cite web |date=2000-12-15 |title=Dutch coach Rijkaard quits |url=http://www.euro2000.org/en/news/story/0,1068,54973,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001215002500/http://www.euro2000.org/en/news/story/0,1068,54973,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2000-12-15 |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=euro2000.org}} It was rumoured that he would move to Italy to coach his former club Milan, but this did not happen.{{Cite news |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=2000-06-30 |title=Rueful Rijkaard quits and may be off to Milan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jun/30/euro2000.sport2 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

During the 2001–02 season, he became manager of Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie, the oldest professional team in the country. Rijkaard said that he enjoyed the down-to-earth atmosphere, although the club was not financially strong.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/feb/19/newsstory.championsleague "King of cool sits well amid frenzy of Camp Nou"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924212811/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/feb/19/newsstory.championsleague |date=24 September 2016 }}. The Guardian. 19 February 2005. Retrieved 2 April 2013. Under his leadership, Sparta played in the relegation playoff and finished bottom, relegating the club to the second division for the first time in its history.{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |title=Netherlands round-up: Sparta down, Excelsior up |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0185-0f843d30f5b4-4314201f80f8-1000--netherlands-round-up-sparta-down-excelsior-up/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=UEFA |language=en}}

Rijkaard resigned after their relegation, having received a death threat.{{Cite news |last=Staff |date=2002-05-31 |title=Rotterdam coach Rijkaard quits |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/may/31/newsstory.sport7 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

Rijkaard was not out of a coaching role for long, and less than a year after leaving Sparta, he was appointed manager of Barcelona for the 2003–04 season, with Albert Roca as the assistant coach. The season would prove to be a watershed for the club, but not without initial instability. Rijkaard arrived at the club as it entered a new phase, having elected a new president in Joan Laporta and a new managerial board, but with fans unhappy that Laporta had let English midfielder David Beckham snub the chance to join the club. For Rijkaard, the team he inherited, with the exception of new superstar signing Ronaldinho (who was the club's second choice after Beckham), also consisted of many underachieving players from the old guard and era that failed to meet the club and its fans' demands to match archrival Real Madrid's success in the early 2000s, having not won a trophy since 1999.

Rijkaard had a disappointing start at Barcelona that saw some sections of the club's fans call for his resignation, and he drew flak from the media when the team lost to Real Madrid in December 2003. Rijkaard's resilience won through and from 2004 onwards, he achieved a massive turnaround, as the team went from strength to strength. Barcelona finished runners-up in La Liga in 2003–04, having been close to the relegation zone at one point in the earlier stages of the season. Rijkaard then took Barcelona to the next level as he phased out the old guard and rebuilt a new-look side around Ronaldinho, with new players like Deco, Samuel Eto'o, Rafael Márquez and Ludovic Giuly, along with the latest promotion of some young players from the previous era trained in the club's youth teams, including Víctor Valdés, Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta. He eventually succeeded in turning around the fortunes of the club, with the strong support of Laporta, and within the next couple of years finally managed to win La Liga both in 2004–05 and in 2005–06.

Image:FC Barcelona NASA Jsc2006e33425.jpg, Ronaldinho and Puyol at NASA in 2006]]

Rijkaard became the first Barcelona coach to have won twice at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, an achievement which even successful managers like Johan Cruyff, Louis van Gaal and Luis Aragonés were unable to accomplish. His no-nonsense policy on and off the field, and the sparkling football played by his team, won him many plaudits and Rijkaard was among the five nominated coaches for UEFA's Team of the Year 2005. On 8 March 2006, he was also honoured by UEFA for his contributions to the European Cup competition throughout his career as player and manager.{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefa/Keytopics/kind=64/newsId=402801.html |title="Rijkaard takes acclaim" |access-date=10 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110052035/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/Keytopics/kind%3D64/newsId%3D402801.html |archive-date=10 January 2008}}. UEFA. 9 March 2006. Retrieved 2 April 2013.

Rijkaard also achieved success on the European stage, winning the 2005–06 Champions League with a 2–1 win against Arsenal in the final. Barcelona had been losing 1–0 for most of the match before his late tactical substitutions proved the decisive factor, as the introduction of Henrik Larsson and Juliano Belletti contributed directly to Barcelona's two goals. The win made him the fifth individual to have won the European Cup both as a player and as a manager, alongside Miguel Muñoz, Giovanni Trapattoni, Johan Cruyff and Carlo Ancelotti, a feat later achieved also by his eventual successor, Pep Guardiola and then Zinedine Zidane.

After losing to Manchester United in the semi-final of the 2007–08 Champions League, Rijkaard was asked whether he would quit at the end of the season, since he had not won anything for two successive seasons. He replied, "I have no intention of leaving. It would be different if the players were saying it is time for me to go but that is not the case." On 1 May 2008, it was reported that Rijkaard allegedly confided to a colleague that he would be stepping down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season, but 24 hours later, he stated in a press conference that he had no intention of leaving the club.{{cite web |title=Frank Rijkaard to leave Barcelona |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2299076/Frank-Rijkaard-to-leave-Barcelona.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/2299076/Frank-Rijkaard-to-leave-Barcelona.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=1 May 2008|access-date=2 April 2013}}{{cbignore}}

On 8 May 2008, the day after Barcelona's dismal 4–1 defeat to archrivals Real Madrid, Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced that at the end of the 2007–08 season, Rijkaard would no longer be head coach of the first team. Laporta made the announcement after a board meeting, and Rijkaard was succeeded by Pep Guardiola.{{cite web |title=Guardiola relevará a Rijkaard a partir del 30 de junio |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/castellano/noticies/futbol/temporada07-08/05/n080508104104.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080612011907/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/castellano/noticies/futbol/temporada07-08/05/n080508104104.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2008 |language=es |date=8 May 2008 |access-date=2 April 2013}} Laporta made it clear that Rijkaard's achievements "made history" and praised him for his time at the club.

File:Galatasaray-Frank Rijkaard.JPG

On 5 June 2009, Rijkaard signed a two-year contract to manage the Turkish Süper Lig team Galatasaray, following the resignation of Bülent Korkmaz two days earlier. He was sacked on 19 October 2010 and was replaced with Gheorghe Hagi.

On 28 June 2011, it was announced that Rijkaard would be head coach of the Saudi Arabia national team after a deal was reached with the Saudi Arabia Football Federation.{{Cite news |title=Rijkaard Appointed Saudi Arabia Coach |date=3 July 2011 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/931870/frank-rijkaard-appointed-saudi-arabia-coach?cc=5739 | access-date=3 July 2011 | archive-date=30 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230071446/http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/931870/frank-rijkaard-appointed-saudi-arabia-coach?cc=5739 | url-status=live}} Saudi Arabia were eliminated in the third round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification after a 4–2 away defeat to Australia in their last match on 29 February, finishing third in their group.

The 21st Arabian Gulf Cup was the second competition for Rijkaard with Saudi Arabia. The Saudis left the competition at the group stage after losing 2–0 against Iraq, a 2–0 win against Yemen and 1–0 defeat against Kuwait. On 16 January 2013, Rijkaard was dismissed under a confidential contractual termination penalty clause following Saudi Arabia's exit at the tournament.{{Cite news |title=Rijkaard sacked as Saudi football coach |date=16 January 2013 |work=arab news |url=http://arabnews.com/sports/rijkaard-sacked-saudi-football-coach | access-date=19 June 2013 | archive-date=21 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221020526/http://www.arabnews.com/sports/rijkaard-sacked-saudi-football-coach | url-status=live}}

In 2013, Florida prep school Montverde Academy hired Rijkaard as their advisor of player development.Montverde Academy: [http://mvasports.com/2013/08/08/frank-rijkaard-joins-soccer-institute-at-montverde-academy/ Frank Rijkaard Joins New Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914142049/http://mvasports.com/2013/08/08/frank-rijkaard-joins-soccer-institute-at-montverde-academy/ |date=14 September 2013 }} 8 August 2013

In December 2016, Rijkaard announced he would no longer pursue a position as manager.{{cite web |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/2149964-rijkaard-zet-definitief-punt-achter-trainersloopbaan.html |title=Rijkaard zet definitief punt achter trainersloopbaan |language=nl |publisher=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting |date=24 December 2016 |access-date=24 December 2016 |archive-date=24 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224234125/http://nos.nl/artikel/2149964-rijkaard-zet-definitief-punt-achter-trainersloopbaan.html |url-status=live}}

As a coach, Rijkaard's essential philosophy is to guide his team towards playing attack-minded football as a cohesive unit. In doing this, he believes a team can achieve the dual objectives of winning games and ensuring the audience's enjoyment of the spectacle. This follows in the best coaching traditions of Rijkaard's countrymen and forebears Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff. In this light, it is notable that Michels coached both Cruyff and Rijkaard during their respective participations with the Dutch national team, and that Cruyff himself went on to coach Rijkaard. Nonetheless, Rijkaard believes in working within a contemporary football context and is not out to imitate the styles and tactics of past masters. In his own words: {{cquote|you gain many impressions from the past. You still have it in your mind when you become a coach, and if something happens you can recall how it was dealt with. But I strongly believe that you cannot copy anyone. The decisions that a great coach made years ago will not necessarily work today.[https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/381642.pdf "Interview: Frank Rijkaard"] (PDF) by Andy Roxburgh. The Technician: UEFA Newsletter for Coaches, No. 31; January 2006. Retrieved 2 April 2013.}}

Rijkaard has evidently learned to curb the quick temper of his playing days and is often a portrait of calm and stability in training and along the touchline. He rarely courts controversy in the media and is more apt now to promote a positive environment and let his team's play speak for itself when faced with intense rivalry or criticism.[http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1725086,00.html "Rijkaard calls on Barcelona fans to show returning Mourinho some respect"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060330115944/http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsleague200506/story/0,,1725086,00.html |date=30 March 2006 }}. The Guardian. 7 March 2006. Retrieved 2 April 2013. The tactics used during his tenure as manager of Barcelona best exemplify Rijkaard's commitment to playing stylish attacking football. During the team's 2004–05 and 2005–06 campaigns, the coach frequently fielded a 4–3–3 formation, a system which encouraged the flair and creativity of the players in the front third of the field and created optimal interplay between the midfielders and forwards during attacks, with Ronaldinho being the focal point of the team's offence.{{cite web |url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/pep-guardiola-ha-escogido-rafa-marquez-es-su-mano-derecha-en-el-campo-5829837 |work=Sport |location=Spain |language=es |title=Pep Guardiola ha escogido: Rafa Márquez es su mano derecha en el campo |date=13 October 2008|access-date=22 December 2018|archive-date=12 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112021532/https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/pep-guardiola-ha-escogido-rafa-marquez-es-su-mano-derecha-en-el-campo-5829837|url-status=live}} Within this system, the four defenders also tended to play in a relatively high position on the pitch to support the midfield, which frequently advanced to participate in the attack. The team generally focuses on maintaining possession in the opponents' half of the field, applying pressure in order to force the opposition to make errors in defense and offensive counter-attacking.

Rijkaard comes from a football-playing family. He is the son of Herman Rijkaard, a former footballer who played for Robinhood in the Surinamese Hoofdklasse, before immigrating to the Netherlands, where he played in the Dutch Eredivisie for Blauw-Wit. His older brother, Herman Rijkaard Jr., is a FIFA certified players' agent who represents various players internationally.{{cite web |url=http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1441/Ajax/article/detail/2952760/2011/10/06/Rijkaard-legt-beslag-op-betaling-Ajax.dhtml |title=Rijkaard legt beslag op betaling Ajax |publisher=AD.nl|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107085829/http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/1441/Ajax/article/detail/2952760/2011/10/06/Rijkaard-legt-beslag-op-betaling-Ajax.dhtml|url-status=live}} Twice divorced, he is currently married to Stephanie and has four children.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ad.nl/sterren/frank-rijkaard-51-voor-vierde-keer-vader~a2c73bc0/ |title=Cookies op AD.nl {{!}} AD.nl|website=ad.nl|access-date=19 November 2016|archive-date=20 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120010449/http://www.ad.nl/sterren/frank-rijkaard-51-voor-vierde-keer-vader~a2c73bc0/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.nu.nl/achterklap/3769535/derde-zoon-oud-voetballer-frank-rijkaard.html |title=Derde zoon voor oud-voetballer Frank Rijkaard |newspaper=NU |language=nl-NL|access-date=19 November 2016|archive-date=20 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120014307/http://www.nu.nl/achterklap/3769535/derde-zoon-oud-voetballer-frank-rijkaard.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/gente/frank-rijkaard-casa-amsterdam-con-exninera-sus-hijos-298071 |title=Frank Rijkaard se casa en Amsterdam con la exniñera de sus hijos |last=MUÑOZ |first=CARMEN |date=4 June 2010 |newspaper=El Periódico|access-date=19 November 2016|archive-date=20 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120010025/http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/gente/frank-rijkaard-casa-amsterdam-con-exninera-sus-hijos-298071|url-status=live}}

Rijkaard features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was featured in the FIFA 14, FIFA 15, FIFA 16 and FIFA 17 Ultimate Team Legends.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifplay.com/fifa-20/players/214098/frank-rijkaard/ |title=FIFA Ultimate Icons: Frank Rijkaard |website=fifplay.com|access-date=18 December 2023|archive-date=18 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218062542/https://www.fifplay.com/fifa-20/players/214098/frank-rijkaard/|url-status=live}} For FIFA 18, FIFA 19, FIFA 20, FIFA 21, FIFA 22 and FIFA 23 he appeared as an ICON player in FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT).

{{notelist}}

:Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rijkaard goal.

{{updated|16 January 2013}}{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}[https://www.rsssf.org/players/rijkaard-coach-ec.html Franklin Edmundo Rijkaard – Coach in European Cups] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411195948/https://www.rsssf.org/players/rijkaard-coach-ec.html |date=11 April 2023 }}. RSSSF. Retrieved 2 April 2013.

:Source:{{cite web |title=Dutchman who ruled Europe in three shirts |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=44566/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227160452/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=44566/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 February 2012|access-date=23 January 2015}}

Ajax

File:Vertrek Ajax van Schiphol voor Europa Cup II wedstrijd tegen Olympiakos Piraeus, Bestanddeelnr 933-8034.jpg and Cruyff with Ajax in 1986.]]

• Eredivisie: 1981–82, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1993–94, 1994–95
• KNVB Cup: 1982–83, 1985–86, 1986–87
• Dutch Supercup: 1993, 1994
• UEFA Champions League: 1994–95
• European Cup Winners' Cup: 1986–87

AC Milan

• Serie A: 1991–92, 1992–93
• Supercoppa Italiana: 1988
• European Cup: 1988–89, 1989–90
• European Super Cup: 1989, 1990
• Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990

Netherlands

File:Ontvangst Nederlands elftal op Paleis Huis ten Bosch na 1988 v.l.n.r. Rijkaard,, Bestanddeelnr 934-2756.jpg, Gullit and Michels with Queen Beatrix in 1988.]]

• UEFA European Championship: 1988

Individual

• Dutch Golden Shoe: 1985, 1987{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/nedpoy.html |title=Netherlands – Player of the Year and Other Awards |access-date=18 March 2015 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317051045/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/nedpoy.html |archive-date=17 March 2015}}
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1988{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/0253-0d7d771ae77b-33dd16358404-1000--euro-1988-team-of-the-tournament/ |title=UEFA 1988 Team of the Tournament |publisher=UEFA|access-date=18 March 2015|archive-date=31 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231152225/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=1625002.html|url-status=live}}
• Ballon d'Or – Third place: 1988,{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy88.html |title=European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1988 |access-date=18 March 2015 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301031258/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/europa-poy88.html |archive-date= 1 March 2015}} 1989{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy89.html |title=European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1989 |website=RSSSF|access-date= 18 March 2015|archive-date= 4 August 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220804213152/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy89.html|url-status= live}}
• Onze Mondial: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995{{Cite web|title="Onze Mondial" Awards|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|access-date=2021-12-17|website=RSSSF|archive-date=4 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704020132/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|url-status=live}}
• World XI: 1989, 1992{{cite web |url=https://beyondthelastman.com/2014/03/10/eric-battys-world-xis-the-eighties-and-nineties/ |website=Beyond The Last Man |date=10 March 2014 |title=Eric Batty's World XI's – The Eighties and Nineties |access-date=23 July 2020 |archive-date=31 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131120633/https://beyondthelastman.com/2014/03/10/eric-battys-world-xis-the-eighties-and-nineties/ |url-status=live}}
• Intercontinental Cup Most Valuable Player of the Match Award: 1990{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/toyotamvp.html |title=Toyota Cup – Most Valuable Player of the Match Award |access-date=18 March 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224143201/http://www.rsssf.com/tablest/toyotamvp.html |archive-date=24 December 2008}}
• Serie A Best foreign player: 1992{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |title=Italy – Footballer of the Year |access-date=6 February 2015 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121013030/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |archive-date=21 January 2015}}
• Serie A Footballer of the Year: 1992
• ESM Team of the Year: 1994–95{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/esm-xi.html |title=ESM XI |author1=Karel Stokkermans |date=14 March 2007 |access-date=29 November 2015 |url-status=live |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207144925/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/esm-xi.html |archive-date=7 February 2016}}
• FIFA 100{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3533833.stm |title=Fifa names greatest list |date=4 March 2004 |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 January 2016 |archive-date=31 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831031238/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3533833.stm |url-status=live}}
• UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll: #21{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/171606.pdf |title=Zinedine Zidane voted top player by fans |publisher=UEFA|access-date=24 July 2014|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024165721/http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/171606.pdf|url-status=live}}
• UEFA President's Award: 2005{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0255-0f8e705cf955-a181275bddd8-1000--uefa-president-s-award/ |title=UEFA President's Award |publisher=UEFA |date=2 January 2014|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106172739/https://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=2050865.html|url-status=live}}
• AC Milan Hall of Fame
• World Soccer: The 100 Greatest Footballers of All Time{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsWldSocPlyrsCent.html |title=World Soccer Players of the Century |publisher=World Soccer|access-date=29 August 2014|archive-date=4 April 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210404034430/http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsWldSocPlyrsCent.html|url-status=live}}
• Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Silver): 2020{{cite web |title=The other two Ballon d'Or Dream Team XIs: Zidane, Cruyff, Iniesta, Di Stefano... but no Casillas |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd7bc8522601d53598b45b2.html |website=Marca |location=Spain |date=15 December 2020 |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-date=2 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102160450/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd7bc8522601d53598b45b2.html |url-status=live}}

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06
• Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006
• UEFA Champions League: 2005–06

Individual

• Don Balón Coach of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06
• UEFA Manager of the Year: 2005–06
• UEFA Team of the Year for Best Coach of the Year: 2006
• IFFHS World's Best Club Coach: 2006
• Onze d'Or Coach of the Year: 2006

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.acmilan.com/en/club/legends/players/rijkaard Profile] at the AC Milan website
• [https://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/185184/speler/8710 Profile] at the Royal Dutch Football Association website (in Dutch)
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{UEFA player}}

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{{UEFA Euro 1988 Team of the Tournament}}

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{{AFC Ajax Player of the Year}}

{{FIFA 100}}

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{{European Cup / Champions League winning managers}}

{{La Liga winning managers}}

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{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 1988}}

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{{Portal bar|Association football|Netherlands}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rijkaard, Frank}}

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