Former Real Madrid, Ajax coach Beenhakker dies aged 82
The Dutchman coached clubs such as Feyenoord and Ajax Amsterdam at home as well as the Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Poland national teams.
Former Real Madrid and Netherlands coach Leo Beenhakker has died at the age of 82, the Madrid club announced.
He had a long and successful career both at club and international level.
The Dutchman coached clubs such as Feyenoord and Ajax Amsterdam at home as well as the Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Poland national teams.
He led both Ajax and Feyenoord to Dutch championships and also had domestic success with Madrid. He won three LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey, and two Supercopa de Espana trophies.
At international level, he led Trinidad and Tobago to the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Poland to UEFA Euro 2008, both firsts for each nation.
His role in Spanish football earned him the nickname Don Leo, largely due to his love of cigars and excessive humour.
The Madrid club expressed its sadness in a sadly worded statement.
"Real Madrid, its president and board of directors, are deeply saddened by the death of Leo Beenhakker, the legendary Real Madrid coach who led the Whites between 1986 and 1989, and in 1992," the Spanish side said in a statement on its official news wire.
Beenhakker led Ajax to the Dutch Eredivisie title in the 1979-80 and 1989-90 seasons before winning the Dutch top-flight again with Feyenoord in 1998-99.
"Real Madrid would like to express their condolences and affection to his family, clubs, and loved ones. Leo Beenhakker has passed away at the age of 82. Real Madrid extends its condolences to all Madridistas. May he rest in peace," the statement read.