Wim Jonk

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Jonk's club career is defined by his success in winning the UEFA Cup twice. After joining Ajax in 1988, he quickly integrated into the squad, scoring six goals in his debut season. His most significant moment at the Amsterdam club came in the 1992 UEFA Cup Final against Torino, where he scored a goal to help secure the victory. In 1993, Jonk transferred to Inter Milan for £3.3 million on a three-year deal, joining compatriot Dennis Bergkamp who moved from Ajax for £7.1 million. At Inter, he made 54 appearances over two seasons and scored eight goals, including a goal in the 1994 UEFA Cup Final victory. When Bergkamp left for Arsenal after the 1994–95 season, Jonk felt his opportunities were limited as he approached age 30. Consequently, he returned to the Netherlands to sign with PSV.

In Their Own Story

Jonk's international career was marked by consistent selection for major tournaments between 1992 and 1998. He made his debut on 27 May 1992 as a substitute in a 3–2 friendly win against Austria, coming on in the 75th minute for Richard Witschge. That same year, he was selected for UEFA Euro 1992, playing only in the first group match against Scotland where he replaced Jan Wouters in the 54th minute of a 1–0 victory. At the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States under manager Dick Advocaat, Jonk played a pivotal role, scoring the equaliser in a 2–1 group win over Saudi Arabia and netting another long-range goal against the Republic of Ireland in the last 16. Although he was overlooked for UEFA Euro 1996 while at PSV, Guus Hiddink selected him for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. There, Jonk played five out of seven games as the Netherlands finished fourth. His final international appearance came on 18 August 1999 under new manager Frank Rijkaard in a friendly against Denmark.

Reader's Guide

Following his playing career, which included a stint at Sheffield Wednesday where he joined for £2.5 million but struggled with injuries, Jonk transitioned into management and technical roles. He served as a pundit on NOS Studio Sport before returning to Volendam as a board member for technical affairs, also working as an individual trainer and assistant coach. Between 2008 and November 2015, he worked at Ajax; however, he left the club in December 2015 alongside Jordi Cruyff due to disagreements with the board regarding the implementation of Plan Cruyff. Jonk later co-manages Cruyff Football with Jordi Cruyff. In his managerial career with Volendam, he was appointed manager on 13 April 2019, leading the Eerste Divisie club to promotion to the Eredivisie three years later. On 16 June 2023, he moved to the role of "technical manager of professional football" at the club.

Did You Know?

• Jonk was the only one of his Dutch contemporaries to make the sign of the cross while playing, despite many teammates being raised Catholic.
• He scored in two different UEFA Cup Finals: once for Ajax against Torino in 1992 and again for Inter Milan in 1994.
• During his time at Sheffield Wednesday, fans voiced dissent over a contract clause that paid him £7,500 per game even when he missed matches due to injury.
• Jonk was inspired to join the Premier League by tales from compatriots Jaap Stam and Arthur Numan before signing for Sheffield Wednesday in 1998.