High quality coaching skills of Koeman at Benfica and of Rijkaard at Barcelona have been the talking point in the Champions League this year. Long time team mates for their talented national team, Koeman and Rijkaard were pillars of strength in defence and midfield respectively. In those good old days as young players they marshalled their team with vision. Yesterday's performance of their men in Lisbon looked a fairly good result leaving the two Dutchmen to fight again at Nou Camp. Dutch Football coaching skills have been on display in many parts of the soccer playing world. In our time on the top of the list was the late Rinus Michels of legendary fame. Leo Beenhakker, Johan Cruijff, Guus Hiddink, Dick Advocaat, Ad de Mos, Louis van Gaal, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Huub Stevens, Co Adriaanse, Martin Jol, Danny Blind and many others have been serving the game in a dynamic and charismatic manner. Their vision, style, flexibility and enormous self belief are qualities that go a long way in bringing out the best from the men entrusted to their care. The coming World Cup promises a fair amount of Dutch flavour as teams keep preparing under Marco, Advocaat, Hiddink and Beenhakker.
