Icons: Ruud Gullit
It's time to have a look at another football icon.
This is a slightly altered version of an article first published here on Greater Manchester Football.
Ruud Gullit is a Dutch legend who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s.
Early career
In 1978, Gullit signed professionally for HFC Haarlem. He made 91 league appearances for Haarlem and scored 32 goals. He made his debut for the club at just 16 years old, becoming at the time the youngest player in the history of the Eredivisie.
In his first season at the club, they finished bottom of the Eredivisie, but bounced back the following season winning the Eerste Divisie. Gullit was named as the best player in the Eerste Divisie that season.
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In the 1981–82 season, Gullit was in fine form as Haarlem finished fourth and qualified for Europe for the only time in their history.
First two transfers
The young Gullit was considered as a signing by both Arsenal and Ipswich Town. He ended up signing for Feyenoord where he had a successful time and started to attract the attention of other clubs. Gullit helped his side to a league and cup double during the 1983/1984 season.
Despite interest from outside of the country, Gullit controversially signed for PSV in 1985. He was also singled out for criticism by large numbers of Feyenoord supporters.
During his time at PSV, he scored 53 goals in 75 appearances for the club and won the Eredivisie twice.
Move to Italy
It was at AC Milan where Gullit became an icon of the game. Despite some injury problems during his time at the San Siro, he would go on to win the following trophies:
- Serie A: 1987–88, 1991–92, 1992–93
- Supercoppa Italiana: 1992, 1994
- European Cup: 1988–89, 1989–90
- UEFA Super Cup: 1990
- Intercontinental Cup: 1990
One of his best performances came in the 1989 European Cup Final. Gullit scored twice in a 4-0 win.
More success and a move to Sampdoria
In 1993, he moved to Sampdoria and led them to victory in the Coppa Italia in the 1993–94 season. Gullit scored the winner in a 3–2 victory over Milan.
He was briefly re-signed by Milan in 1994 but quickly returned to Sampdoria before the culmination of the 1994–95 season. During his time, he served under manager Sven-Göran Eriksson and the two had a strong understanding and mutual respect. In his brief time at Sampdoria, he scored 26 goals in 63 appearances.
Move to Chelsea
Gullit signed for Chelsea on a free transfer in 1995. The signing of Gullit, alongside the likes of Mark Hughes and Dan Petrescu, propelled Chelsea to the semi-final of the FA Cup but their league form was disappointing.
They lost 2-1 to a David Beckham inspired Manchester United in the Semi-final.
Success did come eventually though after Gullit became player-manager of Chelsea in 1996. Chelsea won the 1997 Fa Cup and Gullit became the first black manager to win a major British football trophy.
The following season, with Chelsea in second place in the Premier League and progressing well in two cup competitions, Gullit was sacked, allegedly for a disagreement with the club's board. Chelsea would go onto win both the League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup.
