Michael Reiziger


Michael John Reiziger is a Dutch former professional footballer who played mainly as a right back, currently the assistant manager of AFC Ajax.
After making a name for himself at Ajax, with whom he won one Champions League, he went on to represent four teams in as many countries, notably Barcelona, for which he played in 249 official games in seven years, as well as spells at Milan, Middlesbrough and PSV Eindhoven.
Reiziger represented the Dutch national team for a full decade, competing at three European Championships and the 1998 World Cup and finishing fourth in the latter tournament.

Playing career

Club

Born in Amstelveen, North Holland to Surinamese parents, Reiziger started his career with hometown's AFC Ajax, making his first-team debut at the age of 17 then serving two consecutive loan spells, with FC Volendam and FC Groningen: with the latter, in the 1993–94 season, he scored a career-best six goals while operating also as a midfielder.
Upon his return to Ajax, Reiziger established himself as a renowned defensive element, helping the club to, among other conquests, the 1994–95 edition of the UEFA Champions League. In 1996 he signed for A.C. Milan, but after a season marred by injury, he departed for FC Barcelona where he spent the following seven years, arriving at the same time as compatriot and former Ajax boss Louis van Gaal; though not an undisputed starter, he nonetheless featured heavily for the Catalans, amassing more than 200 overall appearances and helping the club to back-to-back La Liga titles.
In 2004, Reiziger moved to Middlesbrough on a Bosman transfer. He scored once in the league for Boro, against Aston Villa in December 2004. However, after another campaign plagued by physical problems, he left and returned to the Netherlands to see out his career at PSV Eindhoven.

International

Reiziger made his debut for the Dutch national team on 12 October 1994, against Norway. He played for his country at the UEFA Euro 1996, 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000 and Euro 2004, retiring from international play after the latter.
Shortly after signing for PSV, Reiziger said he would consider playing for the Netherlands again if the opportunity arose, but he was never recalled again, amassing 72 appearances in ten years.

Coaching career

After retiring, Reiziger settled in Barcelona. He later went on to coach Sparta Rotterdam at youth level and, subsequently and successively, acted as assistant to Gert Kruys and Alex Pastoor.
On 20 June 2017, Reiziger returned to Ajax as manager of the reserves who competed in the Eerste Divisie, replacing Marcel Keizer. In his first season in charge he led the squad to the league title, but they were ineligible for promotion; he also acted as interim for the first team during one match after the dismissal of Keizer, defeating Willem II 3–1 at home.
After Reiziger's contract expired, he was replaced by Mitchell van der Gaag at the helm of Ajax B. He was then offered a position as assistant coach of the first team, which he accepted.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.18 November 1998Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen, Germany1–01–1Friendly

Honours

Player

Ajax
Barcelona
PSV
Jong Ajax