Leo Beenhakker (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈleːjoː ˈbeːnɦɑkər]; born 2 August 1942 in Rotterdam, South Holland) is an international Dutchfootball coach. He has had an extensive and successful career both at club and international level. He led both Ajax and Feyenoord to Dutch championships and also had domestic success with Real Madrid. At international level he led Trinidad and Tobago to the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Poland to the 2008 UEFA European Championship, both firsts for each nation. His role in Spanish football has earned him the nickname Don Leo, largely due to his fondness of cigars and dry humour.
Coaching career
He has been the coach of several prestigious clubs including Ajax, Feyenoord, Real Madrid, Real Zaragoza and Club América. He has also coached the Saudi Arabian and Dutch national teams. He coached the national team of Trinidad and Tobago in the year leading up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Under Beenhakker's guidance the team managed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, where the team secured a (goalless) draw against Sweden in its first match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and gave England cause for concern in the second match.
​Leo Beenhakker, who has died aged 82, was one of the leading football managers of the 1980s, notably steering Real Madrid to three consecutive league titles at the end of that decade.
Leo Beenhakker, who has died aged 82, was one of the leading football managers of the 1980s, notably steering Real Madrid to three consecutive league titles at the end of that decade ... Leo Beenhakker is survived by a son and a daughter.
(MENAFN - IANS) The Hague, April 11 (IANS) Leo Beenhakker, the esteemed Dutch soccer coach renowned for his successful stints with top European clubs and national teams, passed away Thursday ... .
ÁMSTERDAM, Países Bajos (AP) — Leo Beenhakker, entrenador de fútbol holandés que dirigió a dos equipos nacionales en Copas del Mundo y ganó tres títulos de liga con el Real Madrid, ha fallecido. Tenía 82 años ... .
FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Renowned Dutch soccer coach Leo Beenhakker passed away Thursday at the age of 82, his family confirmed to Dutch broadcaster NOS. Beenhakker’s illustrious career spanned ...
Former Real Madrid, Ajax and Netherlands manager Leo Beenhakker has died at the age of 82 ... Beenhakker went on to ... Ajax described Beenhakker as a 'coaching icon and a truly unique figure' at the club.