An Interview with Milan.
With Milan de Koningh taking his first foray into management, as we look back on his playing career, first and foremost.
Breaking into the Ajax first team at the age of 15, in the 90-91 season. The first start of his long career came on the 28th October 1990, as Ajax hosted arch rivals, PSV. Starting in a midfield with the legendary Dennis Bergkamp and Aron Winter, Milan won plaudits for the way he conducted himself during the intense atmosphere. As the PSV players kicked him from pillar to post, Milan rose to the occasion and thrived. Assisting the goals for Pettersson in the 81st minute and Bergkamp to round the victory off in the final minute, as Ajax ran out 3-1 winners. In the 14 years at Ajax, Milan won the Eredivisie SIX times, the KNVB Cup FOUR times, the Johan Cruijff Shield FOUR times, a Uefa Cup in 92’, Uefa Super Cup in 95’, but the pinnacle for him was winning the Champions League in 95’, etching himself into the folklore.
His Italian born father in the stands, a I Nerazzurri fan, took great delight in not only watching his son hold that trophy aloft, but to do so at the expense of A.C Milan was a particular delight. And de Koningh himself got into trouble with his celebrations at the end of the game, in front of the A.C fans.
“Tonight was for all the Ajax fans, for our country, for my father, for me and for the Black & Blue. Fanculo A.C Milano.”
Sadly for Milan and Ajax, their adventure ended on July 1st, 2004. As Ajax accepted a £20 million offer for Milan, from Chelsea. As Jose Mourinho made de Koningh was the first signing of the Special One’s era. Jose turned Chelsea into a force for the short time he was there, as Milan won the Premier League TWICE, F.A Cup ONCE, the League Cup TWICE. Playing regularly for Jose in his three seasons at the club, but the start of the 07-08 season, Jose confided in the players that tensions with him and Roman had reached an all time high. With Avram Grant appointed as DOF, Jose told Milan that Avram had touted him to other clubs, and advised him to get out whilst he can. A free transfer move materialised across London, as de Koningh signed on at Tottenham.
“My wife Sarah, her and her family were huge Tottenham fans and I admired Glenn Hoddle growing up. Alongside Johan, he was one of my favourite players, so moving across London to Spurs was a no brainer. Especially with Martin Jol at the helm. Even though we got to work with each other for two months, i loved the man. Everything about him was class. And I despised Daniel Levy for the way he treated him.”
Milan’s one and only season at Spurs brought him another trophy in the shape of the League Cup, a 2-1 win against his former club. A win that Milan celebrated more than anyone in the white half of North London. But his time at Spurs lasted just one season, as Jose was installed as Inter Milan manager and again made de Koningh his first signing on another free transfer.
“When i phoned my pops to tell him i was in Milan signing for the Black and Blue he broke down crying, telling me just how proud he was. Hearing the emotion pour out of him, hit home and in the end we were both on the phone crying our eyes out.”
Even though de Koningh was 33 he became an integral part of Jose’s team and in their two years at the club, he won the scudetto TWICE, the coppa italia ONCE and once again the Champions League in what happened to be the last game with Inter for both de Koningh and Jose. Mourinho joined Real Madrid and almost immediately signed 35 year old, Milan and yet again won silverware, the La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Celebrating the La Liga victory, de Koningh announced his decision to retire as the old age of 36.
A playing career that spanned 21 years, five clubs, four countries and twenty nine trophies. Milan had the career right at the pinnacle. Will we see his management career go the same way? Or will it fail like it has done to many great players of yesteryear. But with a country and league he’s familiar with, i’m certain Milan’s management career will be one to savour.
With Milan de Koningh taking his first foray into management, as we look back on his playing career, first and foremost.
Breaking into the Ajax first team at the age of 15, in the 90-91 season. The first start of his long career came on the 28th October 1990, as Ajax hosted arch rivals, PSV. Starting in a midfield with the legendary Dennis Bergkamp and Aron Winter, Milan won plaudits for the way he conducted himself during the intense atmosphere. As the PSV players kicked him from pillar to post, Milan rose to the occasion and thrived. Assisting the goals for Pettersson in the 81st minute and Bergkamp to round the victory off in the final minute, as Ajax ran out 3-1 winners. In the 14 years at Ajax, Milan won the Eredivisie SIX times, the KNVB Cup FOUR times, the Johan Cruijff Shield FOUR times, a Uefa Cup in 92’, Uefa Super Cup in 95’, but the pinnacle for him was winning the Champions League in 95’, etching himself into the folklore.
His Italian born father in the stands, a I Nerazzurri fan, took great delight in not only watching his son hold that trophy aloft, but to do so at the expense of A.C Milan was a particular delight. And de Koningh himself got into trouble with his celebrations at the end of the game, in front of the A.C fans.
“Tonight was for all the Ajax fans, for our country, for my father, for me and for the Black & Blue. Fanculo A.C Milano.”
Sadly for Milan and Ajax, their adventure ended on July 1st, 2004. As Ajax accepted a £20 million offer for Milan, from Chelsea. As Jose Mourinho made de Koningh was the first signing of the Special One’s era. Jose turned Chelsea into a force for the short time he was there, as Milan won the Premier League TWICE, F.A Cup ONCE, the League Cup TWICE. Playing regularly for Jose in his three seasons at the club, but the start of the 07-08 season, Jose confided in the players that tensions with him and Roman had reached an all time high. With Avram Grant appointed as DOF, Jose told Milan that Avram had touted him to other clubs, and advised him to get out whilst he can. A free transfer move materialised across London, as de Koningh signed on at Tottenham.
“My wife Sarah, her and her family were huge Tottenham fans and I admired Glenn Hoddle growing up. Alongside Johan, he was one of my favourite players, so moving across London to Spurs was a no brainer. Especially with Martin Jol at the helm. Even though we got to work with each other for two months, i loved the man. Everything about him was class. And I despised Daniel Levy for the way he treated him.”
Milan’s one and only season at Spurs brought him another trophy in the shape of the League Cup, a 2-1 win against his former club. A win that Milan celebrated more than anyone in the white half of North London. But his time at Spurs lasted just one season, as Jose was installed as Inter Milan manager and again made de Koningh his first signing on another free transfer.
“When i phoned my pops to tell him i was in Milan signing for the Black and Blue he broke down crying, telling me just how proud he was. Hearing the emotion pour out of him, hit home and in the end we were both on the phone crying our eyes out.”
Even though de Koningh was 33 he became an integral part of Jose’s team and in their two years at the club, he won the scudetto TWICE, the coppa italia ONCE and once again the Champions League in what happened to be the last game with Inter for both de Koningh and Jose. Mourinho joined Real Madrid and almost immediately signed 35 year old, Milan and yet again won silverware, the La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Celebrating the La Liga victory, de Koningh announced his decision to retire as the old age of 36.
A playing career that spanned 21 years, five clubs, four countries and twenty nine trophies. Milan had the career right at the pinnacle. Will we see his management career go the same way? Or will it fail like it has done to many great players of yesteryear. But with a country and league he’s familiar with, i’m certain Milan’s management career will be one to savour.
