Wim Suurbier

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Lore & Background

Suurbier’s time at Ajax coincided with the club's most dominant era. He played more than 500 official matches, earning a spot in the informal Club van 100. As part of the 'Twelve Apostles' led by Johan Cruijff, he helped lift the UEFA European Cup three times in a row (1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73). His versatility allowed him to operate seamlessly within the Total Football system, providing defensive solidity while supporting attacks with relentless energy. Beyond club success, he earned 60 caps for the Netherlands between 1966 and 1978, scoring three goals. He was a key participant in the team that finished second in both the 1974 and 1978 World Cups and secured third place at the 1976 UEFA European Championship.

In Their Own Story

The camaraderie within the Dutch national team during the 1974 World Cup was legendary, particularly the bond between Suurbier and Ruud Krol. Nicknamed 'Snabbel' and 'Babbel', they shared a humorous dynamic that often targeted teammate Ruud Geels to his frustration. This light-hearted atmosphere existed alongside high-stakes competition, where Suurbier’s pace on the right flank was crucial in both finals against Argentina and West Germany. After leaving Ajax in 1977 for FC Schalke 04, he continued his journey to the North American Soccer League with the Los Angeles Aztecs in 1979. His adaptability saw him play three seasons in LA before a move to San Jose, which became Golden Bay Earthquakes when they entered the Major Indoor Soccer League in late 1982.

Reader's Guide

Suurbier retired from playing at the end of the 1982 indoor season but immediately transitioned into coaching as an assistant with the Golden Bay Earthquakes. He later resumed his career as a player-coach for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the American Indoor Soccer Association. His managerial path included leading the Tulsa Roughnecks to a 10–14 record in 1984 and the Los Angeles Heat in 1986. In November 1987, he became head coach of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, guiding them to the American Soccer League championship final where they lost to the Washington Diplomats before resigning in January 1989. His career took him back to Qatar, joining Al Etehad as an assistant to Rene Meulensteen in 1999. Together they won the Arab Cup and H.H. Apparent Cup, followed by the Emir cup with Al Sadd in the 2000–01 season. He later worked for Heerenveen’s U-20 squad (2001–2002) and served as a mentor to Meulensteen during Kerala Blasters' 2017 pre-season preparations.

Did You Know?

• Suurbier and Ruud Krol were nicknamed 'Snabbel' and 'Babbel' for their habit of joking at the expense of teammate Ruud Geels during the 1974 World Cup.
• He played more than 500 official matches for Ajax, earning a place in the club's informal Club van 100.
• Suurbier was part of the 'Twelve Apostles' squad that won the UEFA European Cup three consecutive times (1971–1973).
• He befriended George Best while playing in the United States, describing Best's lifestyle as 'bit boring'.
• Suurbier died on 12 July 2020 after suffering a major intracerebral haemorrhage in May of that year.