Player
Tim Krul
Nationality
Dutch
Date of Birth
03-04-1988
On the Pitch
Tim Krul spent twenty years in professional football, with much of his career shaped in England after moving to Newcastle United at just seventeen. A year later, he made his first-team debut away to Palermo in the UEFA Cup, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win. Over time, he established himself as a Premier League goalkeeper known for his reflexes, resilience and ability to perform under pressure, including a famous 14-save display against Tottenham Hotspur.
Internationally, Krul became part of Dutch football history at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Introduced specifically for the penalty shootout against Costa Rica in the quarter-final, he saved two penalties to send the Netherlands through. For Krul, the moment was never about luck. It represented preparation, research and years of work behind the scenes. That mentality defined his career: staying ready, learning from mistakes and refusing to let one moment determine everything that came next.
Off the Pitch
Krul began preparing for life after football before his playing career had even ended. Through the Professional Footballers’ Association, he studied areas such as sporting directorship, governance and the commercial side of football, giving him a broader understanding of the decisions made beyond the dressing room. He now serves on the PFA Players’ Board, where he wants to represent the player perspective in conversations around workload, mental wellbeing and the increasingly demanding football calendar.
Looking ahead, Krul is particularly interested in becoming a bridge between the dressing room and the boardroom. He believes data should support football decisions without replacing experience, instinct and the human side of the game. Since retiring, he has explored roles in coaching, punditry, speaking and football leadership, while also enjoying more time with his family, golf and padel. Above all, he wants to use the lessons from twenty years in elite football to help the next generation and leave the game in a better place.
Clothing Style
Minimalistic
Playing Style
Goalkeeper
