Eric Gerets

Eric Gerets
Doha Stadium Plus Qatar · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Eric Gerets
Fullname	Eric Maria Gerets
Birth date	18 May 1954
Birth place	Rekem, Belgium
Height	1.78 m
Position	Right back
Youthclubs	Lanaken VV
Years1	1971–1982
Clubs1	Standard Liège
Caps1	311
Goals1	17
Years2	1982–1986
Clubs2	AC Milan
Caps2	78
Years3	1986–1992
Clubs3	PSV Eindhoven
Caps3	165
Totalcaps	554
Totalgoals	28
Nationalyears1	1975–1991
Nationalteam1	Belgium
Nationalcaps1	86
Manageryears1	1999–2000
Managerclubs1	Lommel SK
Manageryears2	2001–2006
Managerclubs2	PSV
Manageryears3	2006–2007
Managerclubs3	Galatasaray
Manageryears4	2007–2008
Managerclubs4	Standard Liège
Manageryears5	2008–2009
Managerclubs5	1. FC Kaiserslautern
Manageryears6	2009–2011
Managerclubs6	Marseille
Manageryears7	2011–2012
Managerclubs7	Al Hilal
Manageryears8	2012–2014
Managerclubs8	Fenerbahçe
Manageryears9	2015–2016
Managerclubs9	Club Brugge

Eric Gerets Eric Gerets is a Belgian former professional footballer and manager, renowned as one of the leading right backs of his generation and later as a successful coach across Europe and the Middle East. He achieved domestic and continental honours with Standard Liège, AC Milan, and PSV Eindhoven, and guided clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, Galatasaray, Marseille, and Fenerbahçe to titles. Internationally he represented Belgium at major tournaments including the UEFA Euro 1980 and the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Early life and playing career

Born in Rekem in the province of Limburg, he began at local side Lanaken VV before entering the youth system of Standard Liège. At Standard he developed under coaches influenced by Raymond Goethals-era tactics and helped the club win multiple Belgian First Division titles and Belgian Cup finals against rivals such as Club Brugge. A transfer to AC Milan brought him into Serie A during a period shaped by figures like Arrigo Sacchi and matches against Juventus and Inter Milan. Later years at PSV Eindhoven placed him alongside players coached by Guus Hiddink and competing in the Eredivisie with clubs like Ajax and Feyenoord. His club career featured encounters in the European Cup and the UEFA Cup against teams such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.

International career

He earned 86 caps for Belgium between 1975 and 1991, appearing at UEFA Euro 1980, where Belgium reached the final against West Germany, and at the 1986 FIFA World Cup where Belgium advanced to the semi-finals facing Argentina led by Diego Maradona. He played in qualifying campaigns against sides like England and Soviet Union, and featured in international fixtures organized by FIFA and UEFA. His leadership on the pitch overlapped with teammates including Jan Ceulemans, Michel Platini, and Enzo Scifo in various tournaments.

Managerial career

After retirement he transitioned into management, beginning with roles at Lommel SK and later taking charge of PSV Eindhoven, where he reclaimed domestic supremacy in competition with Ajax and Feyenoord. Appointments followed at Galatasaray in the Süper Lig amid rivalry with Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş, and a return to Standard Liège where he faced Anderlecht in Belgian fixtures. A spell at 1. FC Kaiserslautern placed him in the Bundesliga environment confronting Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. At Marseille he led campaigns in the Ligue 1 and European competitions, clashing with sides such as Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon. Later he managed Al Hilal SFC in the Saudi Pro League and Fenerbahçe in Turkey, before returning to Belgium with Club Brugge. Throughout his managerial career he competed in continental tournaments organized by UEFA and engaged with transfer markets involving clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United.

Playing style and legacy

As a player he was noted for defensive solidity, stamina, and attacking runs similar to contemporaries such as Paolo Maldini, Javier Zanetti, and Gianluca Zambrotta. His professionalism and tactical intelligence drew comparisons to full-backs employed by AC Milan during the 1980s and by PSV Eindhoven in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He influenced later Belgian full-backs who represented Belgium in the 21st century alongside figures like Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen. His managerial trophies and long coaching career contributed to his reputation among clubs across Belgium, Netherlands, Turkey, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia.

Personal life and honours

He has been recognized with domestic honours including Belgian First Division titles with Standard Liège, an Eredivisie title with PSV Eindhoven, and managerial honours with PSV Eindhoven and Standard Liège. As a coach he won cups and super cups competing against holders like Anderlecht and Club Brugge. His career intersected with major football personalities such as Frank Rijkaard, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Guus Hiddink. Off the pitch he has maintained privacy regarding family, and his contributions are preserved in archives of UEFA competitions and national football associations.

Category:1954 births Category:Living people Category:Belgian football managers Category:Belgian footballers