Johan Neeskens: Honoring the Legacy of a Football Icon

JOHAN NEESKENS

HONORING THE LEGACY OF A FOOTBALL ICON

Author: NJ Hove

Johan Neeskens, September 15, 1951- October 6, 2024.
The football world has lost one of its finest ambassadors with the passing of Johan Neeskens on October 6, 2024, at the age of 73. Neeskens was not just a legend of Dutch football but a global figure whose influence extended far beyond his playing days. His time as head coach at Mamelodi Sundowns, from July 2011 to December 2012, is remembered as a unique chapter in the club’s history, a period where his global football expertise briefly intersected with the South African game.

Johan Neeskens’ career was defined by his role in the revolutionary “Total Football” movement of the 1970s. As a core part of Ajax’s iconic team, Neeskens helped secure three consecutive European Cups, cementing his place among the greats of the game.

His contributions to the Netherlands’ national team were equally profound, with the ‘Clockwork Oranje’ reaching two consecutive World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978. Known for his uncompromising tackling and impeccable game awareness, he earned 49 caps for his country, leaving an enduring legacy on the pitch.

When Johan Neeskens arrived at Mamelodi Sundowns, he brought with him a football philosophy shaped by his illustrious playing career with Ajax, Barcelona, and the Netherlands. Though his time at Sundowns was brief, spanning 50 matches with 18 victories, his influence went beyond the win-loss record. Neeskens introduced a disciplined, structured approach to the team, one that emphasized professionalism and instilled a "big team mentality." He would often remind the players, "You are a big team, so you have to show that with goals." The highlight of that philosophy was the record-breaking 24-0 victory over Powerlines FC in the Nedbank Cup, a game that perfectly captured his insistence on domination and structure.

For Hlompho Kekana, Neeskens was not just a coach but a mentor who reshaped his understanding of football. "He was obsessed with structure. I wasn’t aware of zones before he came, and he introduced me to that. He would always say we knew how to play football, but what we needed was the discipline of structure, positional awareness, and movement with or without the ball. That improved my game as a midfielder," recalls Kekana.

Neeskens saw potential in players and often made positional changes that brought out the best in them. He moved Surprise Moriri from attack to a deep-lying midfielder role because of his technical ability on the ball, recognizing how he could excel in building play from the back. "He had an affinity to midfielders," Kekana notes, "and he always saw the bigger picture."

Surprise Moriri echoed similar sentiments, remembering Neeskens not only for his tactical acumen but also for his humanity. "He was a gentleman, a good human being before anything else. He had great relationships with the players, and for me, he helped a lot. He shifted my role from being an attacker to a central midfielder, and that changed my game." Moriri also recalls how Neeskens' footballing knowledge extended beyond the pitch, shaped by his experiences playing alongside legends like Johan Cruyff. "If you sat with him and talked about football, you would learn a lot," he adds. Even after Neeskens left the club, their bond remained strong, as he continued to mentor Moriri in his coaching journey, sending him coaching manuals and offering guidance. "When I learned of his passing, it touched me deeply. The Netherlands has lost a legend, but the entire football fraternity has lost its servant. Here at Sundowns, we lost an important member of our family."

Neeskens’ legacy at Sundowns is one of professionalism, structure, and a personal touch that left an indelible mark on the club and its players. Though silverware may not define his time at the club, the lessons he imparted and the relationships he built ensured that his influence would be felt long after his departure. He was, above all, a man of football—and a gentleman.

Beyond his club roles, Johan Neeskens remained committed to football development around the world. At the time of his passing, he was in Algeria, serving as an ambassador for the Royal Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) in its World Coaches Program. This initiative, designed to promote grassroots football in developing regions, was a fitting continuation of Neeskens’ lifelong dedication to nurturing the game, reflecting his role as both a player and a mentor.

In announcing his passing, the KNVB said, “With Johan Neeskens, the Dutch and international football world loses a legend. With his characteristic tackles, sublime insight, and iconic penalties, he will forever remain one of the leading players that Dutch football has ever produced.” Their words reflect the global respect and admiration for a man who gave so much to football.

At Mamelodi Sundowns, we remember Johan Neeskens with gratitude for the time he spent with us and the lessons he imparted. His influence, though fleeting, is part of the broader journey our club has traveled, and his contributions to football as a whole will forever be respected.

Our thoughts go out to his wife Marlis, his children Tamara, Christian, Bianca, and Armand, his grandchildren, and the wider Neeskens family during this difficult time. We honor and celebrate his memory and the remarkable life he led, both as a player who graced the world’s biggest stages and as a coach who continued to give back to the game he loved.

Rest in peace, Johan Neeskens. Your impact on football will never be forgotten.

Did You Know?

Johan Neeskens was a crucial member of the Netherlands national team, helping them reach the finals of the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups, where they finished as runners-up.
Neeskens scored 5 goals in 7 appearances during the 1974 FIFA World Cup, contributing significantly to the Netherlands’ journey to the finals.
Before moving to FC Barcelona, Neeskens had a remarkable career at Ajax, winning three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973.
In 2004, Neeskens was named one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers at a special FIFA Awards Ceremony, recognizing his immense contributions to the sport.
Johan Neeskens played alongside South African football legend Jomo Sono at New York City Cosmos.

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