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| Rinus Israël | |
|---|---|
| Name | Rinus Israël |
| Fullname | Marinus Israël |
| Birth date | 19 November 1942 |
| Birth place | Dubbeldam, Netherlands |
| Height | 1.86 m |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Youthclubs | EBOH |
| Years1 | 1962–1966 |
| Clubs1 | DWS |
| Caps1 | 94 |
| Years2 | 1966–1974 |
| Clubs2 | Feyenoord |
| Caps2 | 248 |
| Goals2 | 21 |
| Years3 | 1974–1977 |
| Clubs3 | PEC Zwolle |
| Caps3 | 90 |
| Totalcaps | 432 |
| Totalgoals | 39 |
| Nationalyears1 | 1964–1974 |
| Nationalteam1 | Netherlands |
| Nationalcaps1 | 47 |
| Manageryears1 | 1977–1979 |
| Managerclubs1 | DS'79 |
| Manageryears2 | 1979–1980 |
| Managerclubs2 | Feyenoord |
| Manageryears3 | 1981–1983 |
| Managerclubs3 | AEK Athens |
| Manageryears4 | 1983–1985 |
| Managerclubs4 | Roda JC |
| Manageryears5 | 1986–1988 |
| Managerclubs5 | Sparta Rotterdam |
| Manageryears6 | 1988–1990 |
| Managerclubs6 | FC Utrecht |
| Manageryears7 | 1991–1992 |
| Managerclubs7 | Netherlands U-21 |
| Manageryears8 | 1994–1996 |
| Managerclubs8 | Telstar |
| Manageryears9 | 1996–1998 |
| Managerclubs9 | AEK Athens |
Rinus Israël Marinus Israël (born 19 November 1942) is a former Dutch professional footballer and manager best known for his role as a commanding centre-back in the 1960s and 1970s. He achieved continental success with Feyenoord and represented the Netherlands at international tournaments, later transitioning to a managerial career that included clubs in the Netherlands and Greece. Israël is widely regarded for leadership, tactical intelligence, and pioneering defensive play that influenced later generations.
Born in Dubbeldam, Netherlands, Israël grew up in South Holland during the post-World War II period and began playing youth football at local club EBOH (football club). He developed alongside contemporaries from Dutch footballing regions such as Rotterdam, Gouda, and Delft, attracting attention from professional sides including DWS and Ajax, before signing with DWS for his senior debut. His formative years coincided with the rise of Dutch coaches and tacticians like Rinus Michels, contributing to a football culture that emphasized positional play and collective pressing.
Israël made his professional debut in 1962 with DWS, becoming a regular in the Eredivisie and drawing interest from top Dutch clubs. In 1966 he transferred to Feyenoord, where he formed a celebrated defensive partnership and captained a side that won domestic and international honours, including the European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup 1970. At Feyenoord he played alongside teammates such as Coen Moulijn, Wim Jansen, Ove Kindvall, and under managers including Béla Guttmann-era influences and later domestic coaches. In 1974 he left Feyenoord for PEC Zwolle, contributing experience to the club in the Eredivisie until his retirement in 1977. Israël's club career intersected with major European competitions like the UEFA Cup and matches against clubs such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Celtic F.C..
Israël earned his first cap for the Netherlands national football team in 1964 and accumulated 47 appearances, scoring three goals. He was part of the national setup during the era of Total Football practised by the Netherlands and played alongside figures such as Johan Cruyff, Johann Neeskens, Piet Keizer, and Ruud Krol. Israël featured in qualifying campaigns and matches leading up to the 1974 FIFA World Cup, although injury and selection decisions affected his presence in final tournament squads; nonetheless he contributed to the national team’s tactical evolution under coaches including Rinus Michels and Franz Beckenbauer was among contemporaries on the European stage. His international career included fixtures versus Brazil national football team, West Germany national football team, and England national football team.
After retiring as a player, Israël moved into coaching and management, beginning with DS'79 and later taking charge of Feyenoord as manager. His managerial journey included stints at AEK Athens F.C. in Greece, Roda JC Kerkrade, Sparta Rotterdam, FC Utrecht, Telstar, and the Netherlands national under-21 football team. Israël’s time in Greece connected him with clubs participating in UEFA competitions and exposed him to managers and players from the Super League Greece. He also worked in technical and advisory roles, influencing coaching structures at clubs and contributing to youth development programs alongside Dutch institutions such as the KNVB.
As a central defender, Israël combined physical presence with tactical awareness, aerial ability, and ball distribution—traits that linked him to the evolving Dutch defensive paradigms of the 1960s and 1970s. Observers compared his organizational leadership to that of contemporaries like Franz Beckenbauer in terms of reading the game, though Israël remained more positional than the roaming libero archetype. His legacy is visible in Feyenoord’s history, the Netherlands’ defensive traditions, and the careers of defenders mentored by him at clubs including Sparta Rotterdam and FC Utrecht. He has been cited in works documenting European Cup history alongside figures from Ajax Amsterdam, Manchester United, Liverpool F.C., and Bayern Munich.
Israël's honors as a player include Eredivisie titles, the KNVB Cup, the European Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup 1970 with Feyenoord. Individually he received recognition in Dutch football histories and club halls of fame and has been involved in veteran matches and club ambassador roles for Feyenoord and other Dutch institutions. Off the pitch he maintained ties to his hometown region and participated in community events featuring former professionals from clubs such as DWS, PEC Zwolle, and Feyenoord. His contributions remain celebrated by supporters, historians, and organizations like the Royal Dutch Football Association.
Category:Dutch footballers Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:Feyenoord players Category:Netherlands international footballers