Ruud Gullit: “The biggest joy was always the feeling that you made history as a team”
Ruud Gullit remains one of football’s most influential voices. From lifting the European Cup with AC Milan to leading the Netherlands to Euro 1988 glory, his name defines an era of class and conviction. In this exclusive interview with Life After Football, the former Ballon d’Or winner looks back with honesty and calmness.
Before he became an ambassador and mentor, Ruud Gullit was a symbol of total football’s evolution — a captain who led with skill, power, and intelligence. In this part of the conversation, he reflects on what shaped him and the moments that still matter most.
When you look back on your playing career, what stands out most?
Ruud Gullit: “The fact that I played with so many great players in different countries and systems. From Feyenoord and PSV to Milan and Chelsea, every club had its own culture, its own lessons. I’m proud that I could adapt everywhere I went. I loved the pressure, I needed it to perform. And the biggest joy was always winning together, not just the medals but the feeling that you made history as a team.”
Which player was the best you ever played alongside?
“Van Basten, very simple.”
What did it mean to captain the Netherlands to the Euro 1988 title?
“It was everything. I’d dreamed of wearing that shirt and lifting a trophy for my country. We had a group of players who truly understood each other. Rijkaard, Koeman, Van Basten. We were like brothers. When I scored in the final, I felt it wasn’t just for us, it was for every Dutch person who had waited so long for that moment.”
As a player, Gullit stood among the best in the world. Today, his attention turns to the next generation of leaders, players becoming coaches and Dutch football adapting to modern challenges. He believes experience should be passed on, not hidden behind the past.
Which up-and-coming coaches do you see as future top managers?
“I really like that Winston Bogarde is doing well at Ajax. I’ve known him for a long time, and his reputation isn’t fair. He’s a very nice guy with natural authority, perfect for a top coach. Henk Fräser is also doing great but never gets a real chance, which is a shame. Reiziger and Bogarde are always assistants, that’s frustrating. Clubs need to change that. The KNVB is working on it themselves and hopes it will trickle down. If you never get the chance, you can’t prove yourself.”
How do you view Dutch club football compared to the top European leagues?
“I can’t help but think that many coaches at smaller Eredivisie clubs play in a way that’s meant to show they could one day manage Ajax. They’re not realistic. They try to play attacking football without the players to do it. You need to know your strengths. Danny Buijs did that well with Groningen, playing long balls and getting results. Even Arne Slot learned in Europe that you can’t always win with pretty football. Sometimes, you have to grind it out.”
So Dutch coaches need to be more realistic?
“Exactly. Look at what kind of players you have and act accordingly. You can’t always play beautiful football. Against Ajax and AZ, you have to fight. And that’s actually better for Ajax too, they learn nothing from easy games.”
Behind the medals and memories, Gullit now speaks with the serenity of someone who’s lived through every side of the sport: fame, criticism, friendship, and loss. His reflections carry the weight of experience and the calm of understanding. He looks back not to relive the past, but to make sense of it. What remains is a perspective shaped by gratitude, patience, and balance. Qualities earned over a lifetime in football.
Are there things you would have done differently in your career?
“Yes, when I quit the national team before the 1994 World Cup. I would do that differently now. I should have spoken with Dick Advocaat. He said later he should have come to me too, but that’s hindsight.”
You were deeply moved by Diego Maradona’s passing. What made him so special?
“He was the best player ever. You simply couldn’t get the ball off him. It was like it was glued to his feet. What he achieved in Naples was incredible, unmatched. I saw it up close. He was public property, everyone wanted a piece of him. I had trouble walking in Milan without being recognized, but when Diego appeared anywhere, it was another level entirely.”
What do you still dream of today?
“Not much. The most important thing is finding inner happiness and holding on to it. That’s hard, because life is a rollercoaster. But things are going great. I’m grateful for what I have, what I do, and the people around me.”
Ready for more?
Enjoyed reading about Ruud Gullit sharing his story in our interview? Read the full interview in our magazine issue 67.
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