Ruud Krol

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Krol began his career at Ajax under Rinus Michels in the 1968–69 season, though he only played one match that year. He became a regular after left-back Theo van Duivenbode departed for Feyenoord in summer 1969. Although Krol missed the 1971 European Cup final victory due to a broken leg, he was instrumental in the subsequent triumphs of 1972 and 1973. While stars like Johan Cruyff moved on, Krol remained as captain following Piet Keizer's departure in October 1974, staying until June 1980. His versatility defined his legacy; he could play anywhere across the back line or in midfield, using his temperament and passing ability to start attacking plays immediately after winning the ball.

In Their Own Story

Krol's international career spanned from his debut against England in 1969 until 1983. He was a crucial component of the Dutch squad that reached two World Cup finals. In the 1974 tournament, primarily playing left-back, he created Cruyff's goal against Brazil and scored a famous 25-yard screamer against Argentina before the team lost the final. By 1978, Krol had switched to the sweeper role and captained the side after Cruyff's retirement, though they lost the final again for a second consecutive time. He also led the Netherlands at the 1976 European Championship (third place) and the 1980 tournament. With 45 captaincies in his 83 appearances, he held the record for most capped Dutch player until Aron Winter surpassed him during UEFA Euro 2000.

Reader's Guide

After leaving Ajax in 1980, Krol played four months for Vancouver Whitecaps before joining Napoli in September 1980. There, he earned nicknames "Grande Rudy" and "Il Tulipano Azzurro," playing until 1984. His final club was Cannes in France's Ligue 2 before retiring in 1986. As a manager, Krol started with KV Mechelen (1989–1990) and later managed Zamalek, winning the Afro-Asian Club Championship in 1997 and the Egypt Cup in 2008. He also coached Orlando Pirates to three trophies in his final year there, including the league title. In Tunisia, he won the CAF Confederation Cup and the Tunisian championship with CS Sfaxien in 2013 before a brief stint at ES Tunis in 2014.

Did You Know?

• Krol created Johan Cruyff's goal against Brazil in the 1974 World Cup and scored a 25-yard screamer against Argentina in the same tournament.
• He was capped 83 times for the Netherlands, captaining the team 45 of those matches.
• His father, Rudolf Josef "Kuki" Krol, participated in the Dutch resistance and helped referee Leo Horn's brother, George Horn, go into hiding to survive the Nazi occupation.
• In September 1974, Krol opened a snack bar on Reguliersbreestraat in Amsterdam with teammate Arie Haan.
• Krol won the Guerin d'Oro (Serie A Footballer of the Year) award in 1981 during his time at Napoli.