Go Ahead Eagles

{{short description|Dutch football club}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox football club

| clubname = Go Ahead Eagles

| image = Go Ahead Eagles logo.svg

| upright = 0.72

| fullname = Go Ahead Eagles

| nickname = The pride of the IJssel
Kowet (Dunglish pronunciation of "Go Ahead")

| founded = {{Start date and age|1902|12|2|df=y}}

| ground = De Adelaarshorst

| capacity = 10,400{{cite web | url=https://stijn.linearecta.be/stadiumspot/Nederland/GoAhead.htm | title=De Adelaarshorst – Go Ahead Eagles }}

| chairman = Jan Willem van Dop

| manager = Melvin Boel

| mgrtitle = Head coach

| league = {{Dutch football updater|GoAheadE}}

| season = {{Dutch football updater|GoAheadE2}}

| position = {{Dutch football updater|GoAheadE3}}

| current = 2024–25 Go Ahead Eagles season

| website = {{URL|https://www.ga-eagles.nl/}}

| pattern_la1 = _gae2021h

| pattern_b1 = _gae2021h

| pattern_ra1 = _gae2021h

| pattern_sh1 = _gae2021h

| pattern_so1 = _gae2021h

| leftarm1 = ff0000

| body1 = ff0000

| rightarm1 = ff0000

| shorts1 = ff0000

| socks1 = ff0000

| pattern_la2 = _gae2122a

| pattern_b2 = _gae2122a

| pattern_ra2 = _gae2122a

| pattern_sh2 = _gae2122a

| pattern_so2 = _gae2122a

| leftarm2 = 97005F

| body2 = 97005F

| rightarm2 = 97005F

| shorts2 = 97005F

| socks2 = FFFFFF

| pattern_la3 =

| pattern_b3 =

| pattern_ra3 =

| leftarm3 =

| body3 =

| rightarm3 =

| shorts3 =

| socks3 =

}}

The Go Ahead Eagles are a Dutch professional football club from the city of Deventer in the province of Overijssel. They play in the Eredivisie, the top tier of Dutch football, having achieved promotion from the second tier Eerste Divisie in the 2020–21 season. The club's home stadium since 1920 is De Adelaarshorst. The club have won the national championship on four occasions: in 1917, 1922, 1930 and 1933. It also won the KNVB Cup in 2025 for the first time.

The Go Ahead Eagles have produced numerous notable players including Raimond van der Gouw, René Eijkelkamp, Marc Overmars, Paul Bosvelt, Jan Kromkamp, Victor Sikora, Bert van Marwijk and Demy de Zeeuw while providing Henk ten Cate, Erik ten Hag and Leo Beenhakker with their first tastes of management.

History

=Early successes=

The club was founded in 1902 as Be Quick by the Hollander brothers. The name was changed to Go Ahead at the request of the Dutch Football Association in 1905, to avoid confusion with another team.{{cite web |title=Historie - Go Ahead Eagles |url=https://www.ga-eagles.nl/club/historie/ |website=ga-eagles.nl |publisher=Go Ahead Eagles |access-date=20 October 2020}}

Go Ahead started in the second-tier Tweede Klasse. In 1911, the club reached promotion to the Eastern Eerste Klasse. In 1916, Go Ahead became champions of the Eastern Eerste Klasse for the first time, after which they faced off for the national championship in a competition with the other regional champions. In this championship playoffs for the national championship, however, the southern champions from Willem II proved too strong. A year later, however, Go Ahead took their first league title, a feat repeated in 1922, 1930 and 1933.

File:Go-Ahead_wordt_kampioen_van_Nederland-510948.ogv in which Go Ahead became national champion. Location: Sportpark Hilversum. Without sound.]]

In the period between the First and Second World War, Go Ahead was by far the most successful team in the Eastern league. The club won the regional championship fifteen times during that period, and even won the title eight times in a row from 1916 to 1923.

The last pre-war Eastern Championship was won in 1937. After that, the club fell on tough times. In 1941, Go Ahead suffered relegation to the Tweede Klasse. The following year, they promoted again. In 1948, the club became champion of the Eastern First Division for the sixteenth and final time. In the playoffs for the national championship with the other regional champions, Go Ahead finished third behind eventual champions, BVV Den Bosch, and Heerenveen.

=Professionalism and Europe=

The introduction of professionalism in 1954 was initially unsuccessful for Go Ahead. In 1956, the club finished second to last in the Tweede Divisie. In 1959, promotion to the Eerste Divisie was secured. On 7 October 1962, Go Ahead recorded their biggest win in club history. In Deventer the final score was 11–1 against Roda JC.{{cite web |title=Go Ahead - Roda 1962 |url=https://www.facebook.com/gaeagles/posts/throwbackthursdayop-7-oktober-1962-boekte-go-ahead-de-grootste-overwinning-uit-d/979428425491553/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/187093648058372/979428425491553 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|publisher=Go Ahead Eagles |access-date=20 October 2020 |language=nl |date=16 February 2017}}{{cbignore}} Promotion to the top-tier Eredivisie followed in 1963. In the twenty-four years that followed, the club continuously played at the highest level. Especially in the second half of the sixties, Go Ahead did well in the Eredivisie. For example, from 1966 to 1969, the club finished in the top five four times in a row, with the 1967–68 season as high point when Go Ahead finished third behind Ajax and Feyenoord.

Go Ahead also had successes in the KNVB Cup in that period. The club reached the semi-finals four seasons in a row from 1965 to 1968. Those of 1966, 1967 and 1968 were lost, but in 1965, Go Ahead reached the final. This was lost 1–0 to Feijenoord, but because Feijenoord was also national champion, Go Ahead qualified for European football. In the first round, Scottish side Celtic, who would eventually go on to win the European Cup a season later, was drawn. Go Ahead lost the two legs, 0–1 and 6–0.{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Joe |title=Go Ahead Eagles celebrate Golden Anniversary of meeting Celtic |url=http://www.celticfc.net/news/9380 |website=celticfc.net |publisher=Celtic F.C. |access-date=20 October 2020 |date=26 October 2015 |quote=So, it would seem that the 7-0 aggregate score ended Go Ahead’s European story right then and there but, as it turns out, their fairytale adventure of getting into Europe via the back door didn’t end there for the club who changed their name to Go Ahead Eagles in 1971.}}

On 1 July 1971, the suffix "Eagles" was added, following a suggestion from then head coach Barry Hughes, as the professional department of Go Ahead separated from the parent club.{{cite web |url=http://www.ga-eagles.nl/site/english/about-us.html |title=Go Ahead Eagles – About Us |access-date=19 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126120121/http://www.ga-eagles.nl/site/english/about-us.html |archive-date=26 November 2011 }} The eagle is the charge in the coat of arms of the city of Deventer. The club had a strong start with their new name. Go Ahead Eagles were famously the only side to defeat Ajax in any competition during the 1971–72 season when they won 3–2 at De Adelaarshorst in the Eredivisie.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Go Ahead Eagles was a stable Eredivisie club. Relegation followed in 1987. A short Eredivisie period followed from 1992 to 1996, but afterwards the club played in the second-tier Eerste Divisie. Partly due to the constant postponement of the construction of a new stadium, major financial concerns arose. Thanks to the help of investors, the club managed to survive in November 2003. In exchange for that help, the investors acquired 80% of the club's shares. The club is thus privately owned. The determining factor was former chairman Hans de Vroome, who owned approximately 50% of the shares.{{cite news |last1=Arentsen |first1=Dennis |title=De Vroome wil zijn aandelen in GA Eagles aan stichting schenken |url=https://www.destentor.nl/ga-eagles/de-vroome-wil-zijn-aandelen-in-ga-eagles-aan-stichting-schenken~a4abbb08/ |access-date=20 October 2020 |work=de Stentor |date=16 May 2018 |language=nl}}

In May 2019, Alex Kroes took over 80% of the shares of Go Ahead Eagles, becoming the new owner.{{Cite web |date=31 May 2019 |title=KNVB keurt overname aandelen goed: Kroes machtigste man binnen Go Ahead |url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/knvb-keurt-overname-aandelen-goed-kroes-machtigste-man-binnen-go-ahead |access-date=8 March 2024 |website=Voetbal International |language=nl}} On 16 May 2022, it was announced that Kroes intended to sell his share package to Kees Vierhouten – shareholder since 2021 – as of 1 July 2022, and to leave as owner of Go Ahead Eagles. In August 2022, this sale was officially endorsed by the licensing committee of the Dutch Football Association.{{Cite web |date=16 May 2022 |title=Alex Kroes vertrekt als grote baas van Go Ahead Eagles |url=https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/alex-kroes-vertrekt-als-grote-baas-van-go-ahead-eagles~af0eb374/ |access-date=8 March 2024 |website=Algemeen Dagblad}}

=Recent seasons=

After almost two decades in the Eerste Divisie, Go Ahead won promotion to the 2013–14 Eredivisie at the end of the 2012–13 season, winning the promotion play-offs.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11918/8737152/Eredivisie-review-Go-Ahead-Eagles-end-17-year-exile-from-the-Eredivisie |title=Eredivisie review: Go Ahead Eagles end 17-year exile from the Eredivisie |publisher=Sky Sports |date=26 May 2013 |access-date= 13 June 2013 }} The club remained in the top division for the 2014–15 season, finishing 13th.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

Go Ahead Eagles would compete in Europe in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League due to the Netherlands' first place in UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking. National Fair Play winner Twente withdrew due to financial difficulties, making the place for Go Ahead Eagles. However, they also suffered relegation after losing 2–0 on aggregate to De Graafschap in the May 2015 promotion/relegation play-offs.[http://www.ad.nl/ad/nl/5610/Eredivisie/article/detail/4039663/2015/05/25/Graafschap-duwt-Go-Ahead-Eagles-naar-Eerste-Divisie.dhtml Graafschap duwt Go Ahead Eagles naar Eerste Divisie] – Algemeen Dagblad {{in lang|nl}} In July 2015, they were beaten 2–5 on aggregate by Hungarian side Ferencváros[http://www.ga-eagles.nl/ferencvaros-maat-te-groot-voor-ga-eagles/ Ferencváros maat te groot voor GA Eagles] - GA Eagles {{in lang|nl}} in the first Europa League qualifying round with the home leg played in Emmen due to the Adelaarshorst being renovated, and the away leg without spectators because the Hungarians were serving a ban by UEFA.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

The club bounced back to the Eredivisie on the first attempt in May 2016 after beating De Graafschap 5–2 on aggregate in the promotion/relegation play-offs,[http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/voetbal/goaheadeagles/25839711/__Go_Ahead_terug_in_eredivisie__.html Go Ahead Eagles naar eredivisie] - De Telegraaf {{in lang|nl}} but were relegated again at the end of the 2016–17 season.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

In May 2021, Go Ahead finished second in the Eerste Divisie, earning promotion back to the Eredivisie after four seasons in the second tier.{{cite news|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2380479-go-ahead-eagles-promoveert-op-doelsaldo-naar-eredivisie-de-graafschap-met-lege-handen|title=Go Ahead Eagles promoveert op doelsaldo naar eredivisie, De Graafschap met lege handen|date=12 May 2021|access-date=13 May 2021|publisher=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|language=NL|trans-title=Go Ahead Eagles promoted to Eredivisie on goal difference, De Graafschap empty handed}} On 21 April 2025, Go Ahead claimed their first-ever KNVB Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.football-oranje.com/go-ahead-eagles-win-the-knvb-cup/|title=Go Ahead Eagles Win The KNVB Cup|date=21 April 2025|access-date=21 April 2025|publisher=football-oranje.com|language=en}}

Honours

Domestic results

ImageSize = width:800 height:60

PlotArea = left:10 right:10 bottom:30 top:10

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/2025

ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:1 start:1990

Colors =

id:bl1 value:rgb(0.9,0.9,0.3)

id:bl2 value:rgb(0.5,0.8,0.5)

id:rs value:rgb(0.8,0.6,0.6)

id:rn value:rgb(0.9,0.1,0.1)

PlotData=

bar:Position width:15 color:white align:center

from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/1991 shift:(0,-4) text:7

from:01/01/1991 till:01/01/1992 shift:(0,-4) text:11

from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1993 shift:(0,-4) text:15

from:01/01/1993 till:01/01/1994 shift:(0,-4) text:12

from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1995 shift:(0,-4) text:17

from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1996 shift:(0,-4) text:18

from:01/01/1996 till:01/01/1997 shift:(0,-4) text:6

from:01/01/1997 till:01/01/1998 shift:(0,-4) text:9

from:01/01/1998 till:01/01/1999 shift:(0,-4) text:7

from:01/01/1999 till:01/01/2000 shift:(0,-4) text:14

from:01/01/2000 till:01/01/2001 shift:(0,-4) text:6

from:01/01/2001 till:01/01/2002 shift:(0,-4) text:16

from:01/01/2002 till:01/01/2003 shift:(0,-4) text:7

from:01/01/2003 till:01/01/2004 shift:(0,-4) text:9

from:01/01/2004 till:01/01/2005 shift:(0,-4) text:17

from:01/01/2005 till:01/01/2006 shift:(0,-4) text:18

from:01/01/2006 till:01/01/2007 shift:(0,-4) text:7

from:01/01/2007 till:01/01/2008 shift:(0,-4) text:10

from:01/01/2008 till:01/01/2009 shift:(0,-4) text:7

from:01/01/2009 till:01/01/2010 shift:(0,-4) text:5

from:01/01/2010 till:01/01/2011 shift:(0,-4) text:7

from:01/01/2011 till:01/01/2012 shift:(0,-4) text:9

from:01/01/2012 till:01/01/2013 shift:(0,-4) text:6

from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2014 shift:(0,-4) text:13

from:01/01/2014 till:01/01/2015 shift:(0,-4) text:17

from:01/01/2015 till:01/01/2016 shift:(0,-4) text:5

from:01/01/2016 till:01/01/2017 shift:(0,-4) text:18

from:01/01/2017 till:01/01/2018 shift:(0,-4) text:17

from:01/01/2018 till:01/01/2019 shift:(0,-4) text:5

from:01/01/2019 till:01/01/2020 shift:(0,-4) text:6

from:01/01/2020 till:01/01/2021 shift:(0,-4) text:2

from:01/01/2021 till:01/01/2022 shift:(0,-4) text:13

from:01/01/2022 till:01/01/2023 shift:(0,-4) text:11

from:01/01/2023 till:01/01/2024 shift:(0,-4) text:9

from:01/01/2024 till:01/01/2025 shift:(0,-4) text:7

from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/1992 color:bl1 shift:(0,13) text: "Eerste Divisie"

from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1996 color:bl2 shift:(0,13) text: "Eredivisie"

from:01/01/1996 till:01/01/2013 color:bl1 shift:(0,13) text: "Eerste Divisie"

from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2015 color:bl2 shift:(0,13) text: "Eredivisie"

from:01/01/2015 till:01/01/2016 color:bl1 shift:(0,13) text: "Eerste Divisie"

from:01/01/2016 till:01/01/2017 color:bl2 shift:(0,13) text: "Eredivisie"

from:01/01/2017 till:01/01/2021 color:bl1 shift:(0,13) text: "Eerste Divisie"

from:01/01/2021 till:01/01/2025 color:bl2 shift:(0,13) text: "Eredivisie"

File:Go Ahead Eagles League Performance.png

Below is a table with Go Ahead Eagles' domestic results since the introduction of professional football in 1956.

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"

! style="color:#DD0000; background:#F7F408;" colspan=5 | Go Ahead Eagles domestic results since 1956

width="20%"|Domestic league

! width="20%"|League result

! width="20%"|Qualification to

! width="20%"|KNVB Cup season

! width="20%"|Cup result

2024–25 Eredivisie

|7th

|Europa League

|2024–25

|style="background:gold;"|Winners

2023–24 Eredivisie

|9th

|Conference League (Q2)

|2023–24

|Round of 16

2022–23 Eredivisie

|11th

| –

|2022–23

|Round of 16

2021–22 Eredivisie

|13th

| –

|2021–22

|style="background: #CD7F32" |Semi-final

2020–21 Eerste Divisie

|style="background: silver" |2nd

|Eredivisie (promotion)

|2020–21

|Round of 16

2019–20 Eerste Divisie

|6th

|Season abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic

|2019–20

|Quarter-final

2018–19 Eerste Divisie

|5th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2018–19

|Second round

2017–18 Eerste Divisie

|17th

| –

|2017–18

|Second round

2016–17 Eredivisie

|style="background: pink" |18th

|Eerste Divisie (relegation)

|2016–17

|Second round

2015–16 Eerste Divisie

|5th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: promotion

|2015–16

|Third round

2014–15 Eredivisie

|17th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: relegation

|2014–15

|Third round

2013–14 Eredivisie

|13th

| –

|2013–14

|Third round

2012–13 Eerste Divisie

|6th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: promotion

|2012–13

|Round of 16

2011–12 Eerste Divisie

|9th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2011–12

|Round of 16

2010–11 Eerste Divisie

|7th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2010–11

|Fourth round

2009–10 Eerste Divisie

|5th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2009–10

|style="background: #CD7F32" |Semi-final

2008–09 Eerste Divisie

|7th

| –

|2008–09

|Second round

2007–08 Eerste Divisie

|10th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2007–08

|Third round

2006–07 Eerste Divisie

|7th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2006–07

|Round of 16

2005–06 Eerste Divisie

|18th

| –

|2005–06

|Third round

2004–05 Eerste Divisie

|17th

| –

|2004–05

|Round of 16

2003–04 Eerste Divisie

|9th

| –

|2003–04

|Second round

2002–03 Eerste Divisie

|7th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2002–03

|Second round

2001–02 Eerste Divisie

|16th

| –

|2001–02

|Second round

2000–01 Eerste Divisie

|6th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|2000–01

|Second round

1999–2000 Eerste Divisie

|14th

| –

|1999–00

|Round of 16

1998–99 Eerste Divisie

|7th

| –

|1998–99

|Round of 16

1997–98 Eerste Divisie

|9th

| –

|1997–98

|Group stage

1996–97 Eerste Divisie

|6th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|1996–97

|Second round

1995–96 Eredivisie

|style="background: pink" |18th

|Eerste Divisie (relegation)

|1995–96

|Second round

1994–95 Eredivisie

|17th

| – (surviving promotion/relegation play-offs)

|1994–95

|Second round

1993–94 Eredivisie

|12th

| –

|1993–94

|Third round

1992–93 Eredivisie

|15th

| –

|1992–93

|Third round

1991–92 Eerste Divisie

|11th

|Eredivisie (winning prom./releg. play-offs)

|1991–92

|Second round

1990–91 Eerste Divisie

|7th

| –

|1990–91

|Second round

1989–90 Eerste Divisie

|9th

|promotion/relegation play-offs: no promotion

|1989–90

|Second round

1988–89 Eerste Divisie

|10th

|promotion competition: no promotion

|1988–89

|First round

1987–88 Eerste Divisie

|12th

| –

|1987–88

|First round

1986–87 Eredivisie

|style="background: pink" |16th

|Eerste Divisie (relegation)

|1986–87

|First round

1985–86 Eredivisie

|10th

| –

|1985–86

|First round

1984–85 Eredivisie

|15th

| –

|1984–85

|Quarter-final

1983–84 Eredivisie

|11th

| –

|1983–84

|Second round

1982–83 Eredivisie

|12th

| –

|1982–83

|Quarter-final

1981–82 Eredivisie

|10th

| –

|1981–82

|Second round

1980–81 Eredivisie

|12th

| –

|1980–81

|style="background: #CD7F32" |Semi-final

1979–80 Eredivisie

|12th

| –

|1979–80

|Round of 16

1978–79 Eredivisie

|9th

| –

|1978–79

|Second round

1977–78 Eredivisie

|16th

| –

|1977–78

|Round of 16

1976–77 Eredivisie

|11th

| –

|1976–77

|Second round

1975–76 Eredivisie

|13th

| –

|1975–76

|Round of 16

1974–75 Eredivisie

|12th

| –

|1974–75

|Second round

1973–74 Eredivisie

|10th

| –

|1973–74

|Second round

1972–73 Eredivisie

|14th

| –

|1972–73

|Second round

1971–72 Eredivisie

|9th

| –

|1971–72

|Round of 16

1970–71 Eredivisie

|7th

| –

|1970–71

|Second round

1969–70 Eredivisie

|7th

| –

|1969–70

|Round of 16 {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1968–69 Eredivisie

|4th

| –

|1968–69

|Second round {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1967–68 Eredivisie

|style="background: #CD7F32" |3rd

| –

|1967–68

|style="background: #CD7F32" |Semi-final {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1966–67 Eredivisie

|5th

| –

|1966–67

|style="background: #CD7F32" |Semi-final {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1965–66 Eredivisie

|5th

| –

|1965–66

|style="background: #CD7F32" |Semi-final {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1964–65 Eredivisie

|11th

|Cup Winners' Cup

|1964–65

|style="background: silver" |Final

1963–64 Eredivisie

|12th

| –

|1963–64

|Second round {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1962–63 Eerste Divisie

|style="background: silver" |2nd

|Eredivisie (promotion)

|1962–63

|Third round {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1961–62 Eerste Divisie

|4th (group A)

| –

|1961–62

|? {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1960–61 Eerste Divisie

|15th (group B)

| –

|1960–61

|? {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1959–60 Eerste Divisie

|10th (group B)

| –

|not held

|not held

1958–59 Tweede Divisie

|style="background: gold" |1st (group B)

|Eerste Divisie (promotion)

|1958–59

|? {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1957–58 Tweede Divisie

|style="background: #CD7F32" |3rd (group B)

| –

|1957–58

|? {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

1956–57 Tweede Divisie

|13th (group A)

| –

|1956–57

|? {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}

European record

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center; font-size: 100%;"

! width="40"|Season

! width="100"|Competition

! width="40"|Round

! width="140"|Opponent

! width="60"|Home

! width="60"|Away

! width="75"|Aggregate

1965–66

|Cup Winners' Cup

|R1

|align="left"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Celtic

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|0–6

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|0–1

|0–7

rowspan=3|1967–68

|rowspan=3|Intertoto Cup

|rowspan=3|Group A4

|align="left"|{{flagicon|BEL}} Lierse

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|1–2

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|0–2

|rowspan=3|4th out of 4

align="left"|{{flagicon|FRA}} Rouen

|bgcolor="#ddffdd"|5–0

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|3–4

align="left"|{{flagicon|SUI}} Grenchen

|bgcolor="#ddffdd"|3–1

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|0–2

rowspan=3|1969–70

|rowspan=3|Intertoto Cup

|rowspan=3|Group 2

|align="left"|{{flagicon|POL}} Szombierki Bytom

|bgcolor="#ffffdd"|2–2

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|0–1

|rowspan=3|3rd out of 4

align="left"|{{flagicon|SWE}} Östers IF

|bgcolor="#ffffdd"|1–1

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|2–3

align="left"|{{flagicon|SUI}} Lugano

|bgcolor="#ffffdd"|1–1

|bgcolor="#ddffdd"|4–0

rowspan=3|1984–85

|rowspan=3|Intertoto Cup

|rowspan=3|Group 4

|align="left"|{{flagicon|BEL}} Standard Liège

|bgcolor="#ffffdd"|1–1

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|2–4

|rowspan=3|4th out of 4

align="left"|{{flagicon|DEN}} OB

|bgcolor="#ffffdd"|1–1

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|0–3

align="left"|{{flagicon|GER}} Eintracht Braunschweig

|bgcolor="#ddffdd"|2–1

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|1–2

2015–16

|Europa League

|QR1

|align="left"|{{flagicon|HUN}} Ferencváros

|bgcolor="#ffffdd"|1–1

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|1–4

|2–5

2024–25

|Conference League

|R2

|align="left"|{{flagicon|NOR}} Brann

|bgcolor="#ffffdd"|0–0

|bgcolor="#ffdddd"|1–2

|1–2

rowspan=8|2025–26

|rowspan=8|Europa League

|rowspan=8|League phase

|align="left"|Draw: 29 August 2025

|

| —

|rowspan=8| TBD out of 36

| —

|

|

| —

| —

|

|

| —

| —

|

|

| —

| —

|

Rivalries

{{Main|IJsselderby}}

Go Ahead Eagles' biggest rivals are PEC Zwolle.{{cite web|url=http://www.tonie.net/images/pecfczwolle1999.html|title=Betaald voetbal in Zwolle van 1980 tot 1999. Van PEC naar FC Zwolle|access-date=17 March 2007|author=Tonie van Ringelestijn and Joël Groeneveld|date=May 1999|language=nl|quote=FC Zwolle – Go Ahead Eagles Rivalry.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929000443/http://www.tonie.net/images/pecfczwolle1999.html|archive-date=29 September 2007|url-status=dead}} Both clubs are located close to the river IJssel, hence the name IJssel-derby for their encounters. Other teams who share a rivalry with Go Ahead Eagles include FC Twente and De Graafschap.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

Go Ahead Eagles fans maintain a friendly relationship with English team Luton Town.

Current squad

{{updated|11 May 2025}}{{cite web |title=Selectie |url=http://www.ga-eagles.nl/eerste-selectie/selectie/ |work=www.ga-eagles.nl |publisher=Go Ahead Eagles |access-date=25 January 2018}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=1|nat=GER|pos=GK|name=Luca Plogmann}}

{{Fs player|no=2|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Mats Deijl}}

{{Fs player|no=3|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Gerrit Nauber}}

{{Fs player|no=4|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Joris Kramer}}

{{Fs player|no=5|nat=IDN|pos=DF|name=Dean James}}

{{Fs player|no=6|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Calvin Twigt}}

{{Fs player|no=7|nat=DEN|pos=FW|name=Jakob Breum}}

{{Fs player|no=8|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Evert Linthorst}}

{{Fs player|no=9|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=Milan Smit}}

{{Fs player|no=10|nat=DEN|pos=FW|name=Søren Tengstedt}}

{{Fs player|no=11|nat=NOR|pos=FW|name=Oskar Sivertsen}}

{{Fs player|no=14|nat=SWE|pos=FW|name=Oscar Pettersson}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=15|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Robbin Weijenberg}}

{{Fs player|no=16|nat=SWE|pos=FW|name=Victor Edvardsen}}

{{Fs player|no=17|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=Mathis Suray}}

{{Fs player|no=19|nat=FIN|pos=FW|name=Oliver Antman}}

{{Fs player|no=21|nat=NED|pos=MF|name=Enric Llansana}}

{{fs player|no=22|nat=BEL|pos=GK|name=Jari De Busser}}

{{Fs player|no=24|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Luca Everink}}

{{Fs player|no=26|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Julius Dirksen}}

{{Fs player|no=27|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=Finn Stokkers}}

{{Fs player|no=29|nat=DEN|pos=DF|name=Aske Adelgaard}}

{{Fs player|no=30|nat=NED|pos=GK|name=Sven Jansen}}

{{Fs player|no=33|nat=NED|pos=GK|name=Nando Verdoni}}

{{Fs end}}

=Out on loan=

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=28|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Pim Saathof|other={{small|at Kongsvinger until 31 December 2025}}}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=BEL|pos=MF|name=Xander Blomme|other={{small|at Excelsior until 30 June 2025}}}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=|nat=BEL|pos=FW|name=Thibo Baeten|other={{small|at Roda JC until 30 June 2025}}}}

{{Fs end}}

Former players

{{further|:Category:Go Ahead Eagles players}}

=National team players=

''The following players were called up to represent their national teams in international football and received caps during their tenure with Go Ahead Eagles:

{{check quotation|reason=mismatched italics}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

{{col-3}}

{{col-3}}

{{col-3}}

{{col-end}}

  • Players in bold actively play for Go Ahead Eagles and for their respective national teams. Years in brackets indicate careerspan with Go Ahead Eagles.

= National team players by Confederation =

Member associations are listed in order of most to least amount of current and former Go Ahead Eagles players represented Internationally

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left"

|+ Total national team players by confederation

scope="row" | Confederation

! scope="col" | Total

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | (Nation) Association

AFC

| 4

| {{flagicon|Indonesia}} Indonesia (4), {{flagicon|Malaysia}} Malaysia (1), {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia (1)

CAF

| 5

| {{flagicon|Nigeria}} Nigeria (2), {{flagicon|Cape Verde}} Cape Verde (1), {{flagicon|Comoros}} Comoros (1), {{flagicon|Togo}} Togo (1)

CONCACAF

| 3

| {{flagicon|Curaçao}} Curaçao (2), {{flagicon|Suriname}} Suriname (1)

CONMEBOL

| 0

|  

OFC

| 0

|  

UEFA

| 21

| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Netherlands (11), {{flagicon|Denmark}} Denmark (2), {{flagicon|Estonia}} Estonia (2), {{flagicon|Finland}} Finland (2), {{flagicon|Moldova}} Moldova (2), {{flagicon|Faroe Islands}} Faroe Islands (1), {{flagicon|Iceland}} Iceland (1)

Players in international tournaments

The following is a list of Go Ahead Eagles players who have competed in international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, Africa Cup of Nations, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the Caribbean Cup. To this date no Go Ahead Eagles players have participated in the AFC Asian Cup, or the OFC Nations Cup while playing for Go Ahead Eagles.

class="wikitable" style="text-align: left"
style="text-align: center"

!Cup

!Players

align="left"|{{Flag icon|Italy|1861}} 1934 FIFA World Cup{{Flag icon|Netherlands}} Leo Halle
align="left"|{{Flag icon|Yugoslavia}} UEFA Euro 1976{{Flag icon|Netherlands}} Peter Arntz
align="left"|{{Flag icon|Tunisia}} 1994 Africa Cup of Nations{{Flag icon|Nigeria}} Peter Rufai
align="left"|{{Flag icon|United States}} 1994 FIFA World Cup{{Flag icon|Nigeria}} Peter Rufai
align="left"|{{Flag icon|Martinique}} 2017 Caribbean Cup{{Flag icon|Curaçao}} Jarchinio Antonia
align="left"|{{Flag icon|United States}} 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup{{Flag icon|Curaçao}} Jarchinio Antonia
align="left"|{{Flag icon|Cameroon}} 2021 Africa Cup of Nations{{Flag icon|Comoros}} Yacine Bourhane

Coaching staff

class="wikitable"
Position

! Name

Head Coach

|Vacant

Assistant Coach

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Henk den Bruggen

Goalkeeping Coach

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Matthijs Hoorstwald

Fitness Coach

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Maurits Thijkhuis

Trainer scout

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Frank Berghuis

Opponent Analyst

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Gert Jan Karsten

Scout

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Jan Groeneweg
{{Flagicon|NED}} Dennis Hulshoff
{{Flagicon|NED}} Jules Reimerink

Sports Scientist

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Tim van der Meulen

Physiotherapist

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Frank Nab

Secretary

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Adrie Steenbergen

Kit Manager

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Carla Whittie-Bruggeman

Academy Manager

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Eric Whittie

Team Manager

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Alfred Knippenberg

Technical Director

|{{Flagicon|NED}} Paul Bosvelt

Coaching history

{{div col|colwidth=35em|small=yes}}

  • {{flagicon|England}} Fred Fitton (1946–1948){{Cite news |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMHCO02:163891007:mpeg21:a00022|title=De trainer van Go Ahead|newspaper=Deventer Dagblad|language=nl|date=5 August 1946|access-date=12 October 2022}}
  • {{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} Stephan Nagy (1948–50){{Cite news |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMHCO02:163895041:mpeg21:a00029|title=Go- Ahead krijgt Tsjechische oefenmeester|newspaper=Deventer Dagblad|language=nl|date=19 June 1948|access-date=12 October 2022}}{{Cite web |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMHCO02:163902060:mpeg21:a00021|title=Trainer S. Nagy gaat Go-Ahead verlaten|publisher=Deventer Dagblad|language=nl|date=9 November 1950|access-date=12 October 2022}}
  • {{flagicon|Austria}} Franz Köhler (1954–56)
  • {{flagicon|England}} Gilbert Richmond (1957–62)
  • {{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} František Fadrhonc (1 July 1962 – 30 June 1970)
  • {{flagicon|Wales}} Barry Hughes (1 July 1970 – 30 June 1973)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Jan Notermans (1973–75)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Henk van Brussel (1975)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Leo Beenhakker (1975–76)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Henk van Brussel (interim) (1976)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Wiel Coerver (1 July 1976 – 30 June 1977)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Henk van Brussel (interim) (1978)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Joop Brand (1 July 1978 – 17 February 1980)
  • {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} Spitz Kohn (1 July 1980 – 30 June 1981)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Bob Maaskant (1981–83)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Henk Wullems (1 July 1983 – 30 June 1986)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Nico van Zoghel (1 July 1985 – 30 June 1988)
  • {{flagicon|Romania|1965}} Mircea Petescu (30 June 1988 – 15 December 1988)
  • {{flagicon|Germany}} Fritz Korbach (15 December 1988 – 30 June 1990)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Henk ten Cate (22 Feb 1990 – 30 June 1990)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Jan Versleijen (1 July 1990 – 30 June 1993)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Henk ten Cate (1 July 1993 – 27 January 1995)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Ab Fafié (27 Jan 1995 – 30 June 1996)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Leo van Veen (1 July 1996 – 30 June 1997)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Jan van Staa (1 July 1997 – 30 June 2002)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Theo de Jong (2001–02)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Robert Maaskant (1 July 2002 – 2 February 2003)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Raymond Libregts (15 Jan 2003 – 30 June 2005)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Mike Snoei (1 July 2005 – 4 March 2008)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Gerard Somer (interim) (4 March 2008 – 7 March 2008)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Andries Ulderink (7 March 2008 – 30 June 2011)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Joop Gall (1 July 2011 – 24 March 2012)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Michel Boerebach (int.) (24 March 2012 – 31 March 2012)
  • {{flagicon|Scotland}} Jimmy Calderwood (30 March 2012 – 30 June 2012)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Erik ten Hag (1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Foeke Booy (1 July 2013 – 22 March 2015)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Dennis Demmers (22 March 2015 – 1 February 2016)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Harry Decheiver (interim) (2016)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Hans de Koning (20 Feb 2016 – 22 March 2017)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Robert Maaskant (25 Mar 2017 – 30 June 2017)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Leon Vlemmings (1 Jul 2017 – 3 December 2017)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Jan van Staa (5 Dec 2017 – 30 June 2018)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} John Stegeman (1 Jul 2018 – 29 May 2019)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Jack de Gier (May 2019 – 30 June 2020)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Kees van Wonderen (1 Jul 2020 – 30 June 2022)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} René Hake (1 Jul 2022 – 6 July 2024)
  • {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Paul Simonis (7 Jul 2024 – present)

{{div col end}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}