Hans van Breukelen

Johannes Franciscus "Hans" van Breukelen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦɑns fɑn ˈbrøːkələ(n)];[2] born 4 October 1956) is a former Dutch football player who played as a goalkeeper. He was the technical director of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) from 2017 until 2018 but had to stop because of missing the WC2018 in Russia.

In this Dutch name, the surname is Van Breukelen.
Hans van Breukelen
Van Breukelen in 2011
Personal information
Full name Johannes Franciscus van Breukelen
Date of birth (1956-10-04) 4 October 1956
Place of birth Utrecht, Netherlands
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1964–1975 BVC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1975–1982 FC Utrecht 142 (0)
1982–1984 Nottingham Forest 61 (0)
1984–1994 PSV Eindhoven 308 (0)
Total 511 (0)
National team
1980–1992 Netherlands 73 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Van Breukelen grew up in De Bilt, where he played in the BVC youth academy. In 1976, he moved to FC Utrecht, where he played 142 matches. After two years with Nottingham Forest, Van Breukelen moved to PSV Eindhoven in 1984. With PSV, he won six league titles and three domestic cups. In 1988, Van Breukelen also won the European Cup as part of the Treble after saving Benfica's sixth penalty in the shoot-out. In the Netherlands, he was named Goalkeeper of the Year four times.

Van Breukelen played 73 caps for the Dutch national team. In 1988, he triumphed at the European Championships with The Netherlands; Van Breukelen stopped a penalty in the final. He also appeared at the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1992. After his career, he became an entrepreneur in different non-football business ventures, although he served as director of football at FC Utrecht and was a member of the PSV board of directors from 2010-2016.

Hans van Breukelen is one of five European players to ever win a Treble with their club and a cup with their national team in the same year. The other four players are his teammates Berry van Aerle, Ronald Koeman, Gerald Vanenburg and Wim Kieft.

Early years

Van Breukelen, born in Utrecht, started playing club football at amateur team BVC from De Bilt in 1964.[3][4] In 1974, he reached the BVC first team at age 17. A few months later, Van Breukelen was transferred to FC Utrecht.[3][5] In his youth, he studied to become a teacher; even after he signed for FC Utrecht, he finished his study in pedagogy and taught at schools.[6][7]

Club career

FC Utrecht and Nottingham Forest

Van Breukelen started out in the FC Utrecht reserve team, but soon became the club's third goalkeeper behind Blagoje Istatov and Jan Stroomberg.[5] On 20 March 1977, Van Breukelen made his official debut after being chosen to replace Istanov in the match against Sparta, which Utrecht lost 3–0 away from home.[8] He would later become the first-choice between the sticks for four years.[9]

Hans van Breukelen attempting to stop a shot by Theo de Jong in 1979.

In the 1980–81 season, Utrecht reached the third place (its highest ever position to date) and a year later, Van Breukelen and his team reached the KNVB Cup final.[8] In 1982, FC Utrecht was facing bankruptcy and were willing to sell Van Breukelen in order to raise funds. Initially, there was no sign of a transfer and he played two matches in the 1982–83 season. But in September, Van Breukelen was eventually signed by Nottingham Forest.[5] In total, he played 142 Eredivisie games for the club.[1]

Van Breukelen and trainer Han Berger.

After Peter Shilton had left Nottingham Forest, coach Brian Clough went on to pick Van Breukelen as his new goalkeeper. The club paid £200,000 to FC Utrecht. In his first match, he immediately kept a clean sheet in the game against Brighton & Hove Albion. After thirteen league games, he suffered an injury which would sideline him for four months. After his recovery, Van Breukelen returned in the Nottingham Forest starting line-up and the team went on to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

In the 1983–84 season, Van Breukelen played 36 league matches, keeping 11 clean sheets in the process. The team ended third, six points behind title winners Liverpool. In the UEFA Cup, Nottingham Forest were beaten in the semi-finals against Anderlecht.[10] During the season, Nottingham Forest and Van Breukelen had increasing arguments about his frequent international call-ups. Not willing to sacrifice his spot in the Dutch team, he decided to leave England after the 1983–84 season.[6][9]

PSV Eindhoven

Van Breukelen returned to his home country to play for PSV Eindhoven. In his first year, the team missed out on the Eredivisie title and were also eliminated by Van Breukelen's old team FC Utrecht in the semi-finals of the Dutch cup.[5] But in the following two years, PSV did secured the league championship – Van Breukelen's first major trophies.[11][12] In a match between Feyenoord and PSV in 1987, Van Breukelen was involved in an error that became known in The Netherlands as ‘het polletje van Van Breukelen’ (‘Van Breukelen's tussock’). When he bounced the ball from his hands on a clump of grass, it swirled in an unwanted direction. Van Breukelen rushed to collect the ball but this was deemed unlawful by the referee, as goalkeepers cannot repeatedly pick up the ball. The awarded last-minute free kick was converted by Feyenoord, making the score 1–1.[13]

Van Breukelen celebrating with the European Cup after the match in Stuttgart

The subsequent public (and media) mockery resulted in difficult times for Van Breukelen, but he recovered in time for the 1987–88 season; the high point of his career.[13] That year, PSV won the league title for the third time in a row, it won the KNVB Cup and the European Cup.[14] In the European Cup final against Benfica, the match remained goalless so penalties had to decide the outcome. After PSV converted their sixth penalty, Benfica's Antonio Veloso's low kick in the left corner was parried away by Van Breukelen; a save that brought PSV the European Cup victory.[15][16] For his performances, he also won the Dutch Goalkeeper of the Year award in 1988; an award he would win four times in total.[6][15] In the 1988–89 season, PSV won the double yet again.[17] Van Breukelen and PSV also won the Dutch cup in 1990 and two more league titles in 1991 and 1992.[18][19]

Van Breukelen and Guus Hiddink holding the European Cup on arrival at Eindhoven Airport

During the 1993–94 season, Van Breukelen publicly voiced criticism towards the behaviour of his teammate Romário. It resulted in a fine from PSV for the goalkeeper. Also, three yellow cards for minor offences caused a suspension for an important match against Ajax. In early 1994, Van Breukelen (with his retirement pending) hoped that PSV would offer him the position of general manager at the club, but PSV chose Frank Arnesen instead. He then requested the role of second goalkeeper for next season but the club also rejected that idea.[8][20] Ajax offered him the second goalkeeper role, but Van Breukelen refused to play for them, and chose to retire.[21] On 6 October 1994, Van Breukelen was honoured with a testimonial match from PSV. The European Cup-winning PSV team from 1988 played against two teams: the 1988 European Championship winning Netherlands team in the first half, and a selection of the best PSV players in history in the second half.[22] In total, Van Breukelen represented PSV in 308 Eredivisie matches, 37 cup matches and 46 European matches.[3]

International career
Hans van Breukelen in 1987.

Van Breukelen made his international debut on 11 October 1980 against West Germany. Later, he played in qualification matches for the 1982 World Cup, Euro 1984 and the 1986 World Cup, but the Dutch team failed to qualify for any of the tournaments. In the Euro 1988 qualifiers, Van Breukelen was struggling with his form and before the qualification match against Hungary in 1987, coach Rinus Michels dropped him in favour of Joop Hiele as goalkeeper.[23] In the next match, Van Breukelen returned as the first choice, though. In the entire qualification round, he conceded only one goal in his eight matches, contributing to the first Dutch major tournament since 1980.[24] At Euro 1988, The Netherlands narrowly progressed through the group stage but managed to beat rivals West Germany in the semi-finals (2–1).[24] According to Van Breukelen, beating the Germans "meant more to us than reaching the European Championship Final".[25] The Netherlands were named European champions after winning the final against the Soviet Union (2–0). Van Breukelen caused a penalty in that match, but saved the subsequent attempt by Igor Belanov.[8][26] Later, he was named best goalkeeper of the tournament.[27]

Van Breukelen and the national team qualified for the 1990 World Cup, but were knocked out by West Germany in the second round.[24] The Dutch team endured a disastrous tournament due to a lack of unity in the squad; Van Breukelen called the World Cup "the lowest point of his career".[28] In the West Germany match, Rudi Völler collided with Van Breukelen, who confronted Völler vocally. A brawl ensued, resulting in Völler (and Frank Rijkaard) being sent off.[26] Meanwhile, the England match in the group stage was Van Breukelen's 54th cap, which meant he had surpassed the Dutch record number of national team appearances for a goalkeeper, held by Gejus van der Meulen. After retiring with 73 caps, that record would stand until Edwin van der Sar played his 74th game in 2003.[24] Van Breukelen's third and last major tournament was Euro 1992, where the Netherlands advanced to the semi-finals. The team faced Denmark; a match that was lost 5–4 on penalties after a 2–2 draw, with Van Breukelen failing to stop a penalty. It turned out to be his last international match.[24]

Post-career

After Van Breukelen retired, he committed himself to the business world. From 1994 until 1997, he was vice-president of retail company Breecom.[29] Desiring a return to football, Van Breukelen increasingly hoped for an offer from a team. FC Twente approached him to become their general manager in 1996, but Van Breukelen refused.[30] In 1997, he was appointed as director of football at FC Utrecht. He embarked on a concept called the ‘Challenger-plan’, which stated FC Utrecht's style of play and main targets.[5] Even though he signed a new contract without end date in January 2000, he left later that year after he sensed a lack of confidence from the Utrecht board.[29][31][32]

Van Breukelen returned to his role as an entrepreneur and in 2000, he founded his own company HvB Management, specialized in conducting lectures and trainings for businesses.[9] Later, Van Breukelen also co-founded two other companies.[29] In October 2001, Van Breukelen got his coaching diploma 'Trainer Coach I', which enabled him to become an assistant-manager at a professional club or a manager at an amateur club.[33] Since 2005, he served as the director of Sports and Technology, a Dutch foundation working on innovation in the two areas.[34] In July 2010, Van Breukelen joined the PSV Eindhoven board of directors.[35] His appointment was endorsed by the 'Vereniging PSV' (association PSV), who have a partial say in the board membership.[36] After his disappointment with PSV's football performances in 2013, Van Breukelen hoped to instigate a change of management direction and club culture. He contacted Guus Hiddink, several other former PSV players and sponsors to aid his cause.[37]

In June 2016, van Breukelen was appointed technical director of the Dutch FA. He left this position in 2018 because the Dutch missed the WC 2018 in Russia.

[38]

Career statistics

Club
Club Season League Continental[39]
AppsGoalsAppsGoals
FC Utrecht 1976–77 10--
1977–78 60--
1978–79 320--
1979–80 340--
1980–81 34040
1981–82 33020
1982–83 20--
Total 142060
Nottingham Forest 1982–83 250--
1983–84 36080
Total 6108[40]0[40]
PSV Eindhoven 1984–85 32040
1985–86 34040
1986–87 33020
1987–88 33090
1988–89 22020
1989–90 32060
1990–91 32020
1991–92 32040
1992–93 25090
1993–94 33020
Total 3080460
Career total 511[1]0[1]58[41]0[41]

International
Netherlands national team
YearAppsGoals
198010
198130
198250
198320
198430
198560
198660
198770
1988100
198950
1990120
199150
199280
Total73[24]0[24]

Honours

Club
PSV Eindhoven

International
Netherlands

Individual

Notes and references
  1. "Hans van Breukelen". National Football Teams. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  2. Van in isolation: [vɑn].
  3. "Hans van Breukelen". PSV.nl. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  4. "Betaald voetballers van FC De Bilt" (PDF) (in Dutch). FC De Bilt. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  5. "Hoe is het met...Hans van Breukelen" (in Dutch). FCU Fans. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  6. "Hans van Breukelen succesvol" (in Dutch). PSV.nl. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  7. "Magazine #23: de onzekerheden van Hans van Breukelen" (in Dutch). Life after Football. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  8. "Van Breukelen stopt bij PSV Keeper wil als reserve laatste dagen slijten" (in Dutch). Trouw. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  9. "8. Hans van Breukelen" (in Dutch). PSV Zuipsite. Archived from the original on 25 April 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  10. "Hans VAN BREUKELEN – Nottingham Forest FC – Biography 1982/83-1983/84". Sporting Heroes. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  11. "De 8e landstitel" (in Dutch). Stichting 1913. Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  12. "Seizoen 1986/1987" (in Dutch). psv.netwerk.to. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  13. "4. Hans van Breukelen – Bezeten keeper" (in Dutch). Goal.com. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  14. "Seizoen 1987/1988" (in Dutch). psv.netwerk.to. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  15. "EuroChampsChallenge Medallion Man: PSV Eindhoven's Hans van Breukelen". STV Sport. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  16. Barclay, Patrick (1 June 2008). "Hans van Breukelen inspires Edwin van der Sar". telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  17. "Seizoen 1988/1989" (in Dutch). psv.netwerk.to. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  18. "Historie: seizoen 1989/1990". psv.netwerk.to. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  19. "Historie: seizoen 1990/1991" (in Dutch). psv.netwerk.to. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  20. "PSV weert Van Breukelen, Top Support koestert hem" (in Dutch). Trouw. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  21. "Van Breukelen stapt uit voetbalwereld; wilde niet naar Ajax" (in Dutch). PSV Netwerk. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  22. "Afscheidsduel Cocu derde in de historie" (in Dutch). PSV.nl. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  23. "IK BEN ER ZEKER VAN DAT JE ALLEEN DE ABSOLUTE TOP KUNT HALEN ALS JE OOK DE KEERZIJDE VAN DE MEDAILLE HEBT GEZIEN" (in Dutch). Mijn Voetbaltalent. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  24. "Hans van Breukelen – International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  25. "Euro heroes – Hans van Breukelen". ESPN. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  26. "Top 10: Worst spitting incidents in football". telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group. 18 March 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  27. "Euro: Team of the Tournament". Football ZZ. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  28. "De Ruiter doet boekje open over WK 1990" (in Dutch). Het Parool. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  29. "Hans van Breukelen". Sport Innovatie Platform. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  30. "Hans van Breukelen terug bij FC Utrecht" (in Dutch). Trouw. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  31. "Hans van Breukelen weg bij FC Utrecht" (in Dutch). Trouw. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  32. "Hans van Breukelen verder bij Utrecht" (in Dutch). De Telegraaf. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  33. "Hans van Breukelen behaalt diploma" (in Dutch). PSV.nl. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  34. "EPSI Conference 2012 – Hans van Breukelen". EPSI. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  35. "Nieuwe commissaris Van Breukelen: "Zeer vereerd"" (in Dutch). PSV.nl. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  36. "Peter Swinkels nieuwe voorzitter RvC, vertrek van Frits Schuitema" (in Dutch). PSV.nl. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  37. "Hiddink mengt zich in revolutie bij PSV" (in Dutch). Algemeen Dagblad. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  38. Hans van Breukelen versterkt KNVB-directie - KNVB (in Dutch)
  39. Includes European Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup
  40. "1983/84 UEFA Cup". UEFA. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  41. "Hans van Breukelen" (in Dutch). Voetbalstats. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  42. "UEFA 1988 Team of the Tournament". UEFA.com. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  43. http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-gkoy88.html
  44. http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-gkoy92.html
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