Dutch Managers in the Premier League: A Mixed Bag of Success and Failure
Introduction:
Liverpool has appointed Arne Slot as their new manager, making him the 10th Dutch manager in Premier League history. As he steps into the shoes of one of the greatest managers in the modern era, it begs the question of how previous Dutch managers have fared in the English topflight. In this article, we examine the records of the previous nine Dutch managers in the Premier League and analyze their successes and failures.
Frank de Boer – Crystal Palace:
Frank de Boer’s short and disastrous tenure at Crystal Palace is easy to forget. In just four games, Palace failed to score a single goal, leading to De Boer being sacked. His win percentage of 0% and shortest-ever reign in the competition speak for themselves.
Rene Meulensteen – Fulham:
Rene Meulensteen took over at Fulham when the team was battling relegation. Despite a win percentage of 23%, he was unable to save the team from the drop and was quickly axed. His tenure lasted only 75 days, making it shorter than De Boer’s.
Dick Advocaat – Sunderland:
Dick Advocaat initially steered Sunderland out of relegation danger as a caretaker manager. However, his permanent time in charge did not last long. With a win percentage of 17.6%, he resigned after a run of poor results. Advocaat currently manages the Curacao national team.
Guus Hiddink – Chelsea:
Guus Hiddink is one of the most popular Dutch managers among Chelsea supporters. During his two spells as caretaker manager, he achieved a win percentage of 52.9%. His first time in charge saw Chelsea finish third and lift the FA Cup. Although he never returned for a permanent job in the league, his impact at Chelsea is undeniable.
Erik ten Hag – Manchester United:
Erik ten Hag’s performance at Manchester United has been met with mixed reviews. Despite a win percentage of 52.63% and winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, his team lacks identity and cohesiveness. They often stumble to unlikely victories and struggle defensively, allowing numerous shots on goal.
Louis van Gaal – Manchester United:
Louis van Gaal, one of the Netherlands’ most decorated coaches, had a mixed tenure at Manchester United. With a win percentage of 51.3%, he won the FA Cup in his final season but was sacked shortly after. His defensive tactics and lack of attractive football drew criticism from fans.
Ruud Gullit – Chelsea & Newcastle:
Ruud Gullit was the first Dutch manager in the Premier League. As a player-manager at Chelsea, he won the FA Cup and achieved a win percentage of 39.4%. However, a disagreement with the board led to his sacking the following season. Gullit later managed Newcastle and led them to the FA Cup final before resigning early in the next season.
Ronald Koeman – Southampton & Everton:
Ronald Koeman had a significant impact during his time in the Premier League. With a win percentage of 44.7%, he led Southampton to their highest-ever league finish and secured a European spot for Everton. However, his tenure at Everton lasted only 16 months before he took charge of the Dutch national team.
Martin Jol – Tottenham & Fulham:
Martin Jol holds the record for the most games as a Dutchman in the Premier League. With a win percentage of 37.1%, he led Tottenham to their highest league finish since 1990. However, he never lifted silverware at either Tottenham or Fulham.
Conclusion:
The records of previous Dutch managers in the Premier League are a mixed bag of success and failure. While some, like Guus Hiddink and Ronald Koeman, achieved notable successes, others, such as Frank de Boer and Rene Meulensteen, had short and unsuccessful tenures. Arne Slot faces a challenging task as he takes charge of Liverpool, but his compatriots’ records show that success is not guaranteed in the English topflight. Only time will tell if Slot can make his mark in the Premier League.