A twenty one year career, spanning four teams, three countries, forty four trophies, including a record breaking and incredible NINE Champions Leagues. Milan de Koningh had a playing career that only many could’ve dreamed off.
But it didn’t start off all rosy, signing to Ajax, the team he loved at the tender age of 11 was a dream come true for him. But at 13, everything turned sour. A life changing decision meant that Milan put everything at risk, and in a split second he altered so many lives on a devastating level.
After two years out of the game, Milan was approached by Ajax’s rivals. Even with a tarnished name at that point, they still took a chance. And he did something he idol, Johan Cruijff did and moved to Feyenoord. Born and raised in Amstelveen. Milan immediately fell in love with Ajax and Johan Cruijff. But his love affair with the Amsterdam club ended the moment he signed for Feyenoord.
After two years in Rotterdam, Real Madrid came calling. Offering Feyenoord a huge fee for the then 18 year old in 99’. Initially Milan didn’t want to make the move, he believed he was too young to join the world’s biggest club, but Feyenoord backed him into a corner as they needed the money his sale would bring.
After a successful four years in the Spanish capital, Milan drew interest from English Champions, Manchester United in 03’ signing for Sir Alex’s team on a free transfer much to the ire of Madrid higher uppers.
Five successful years followed at United and Milan bowed out winning the Champions League in Moscow as he headed to Barcelona for a £22 million fee and irating the Madrid faithful that once adored him.
In the seven years that followed, Milan became an integral part of what Pep, Tito, Martino and Enrique had created. After being told by Luis Enrique that he would only be a bit part player at best if he signed a new contract, Milan decided to seek pastures new.
Those pastures however happened to be an old team, much to the disgruntlement of the fans and some board members. However Rafa Benitez persisted and got his man on a free transfer. Despite how poor they were under Benitez, Milan performed brilliantly and stayed as a mainstream in the team under Zizou as he became the first ever person to win the Champions League FOUR years in a row. Eventually calling time on his career at the grand old age of 37.
After taking a year and half out of the game to garner his managerial badges, Milan returns, but it was temporarily halted due to the pandemic, which thankfully now has subsided.
“So Milan, where do you see yourself starting your managerial career?”
“To be honest with you, i don’t know. I don’t envisage myself in a job until late this year (2020) or early next year (2021) not many clubs are looking at managers right now, so when that opportunity comes knocking, wherever it might be, i will consider anywhere.”
“Are there any clubs you don’t see yourself managing?”
“I’ve played for a lot of great clubs, and i wouldn’t rule out working with one of their closest rivals if the opportunity ever presents itself. But it has to be what’s best for me. I won’t ever say there’s a club i’d never manage as you’re restricting yourself in that aspect.”
“Obviously you’ve got alot of love for a few clubs, but do you ever see yourself managing Ajax, your first love?”
“Who’s to say they would even want me? And yes they were my first love, but after what happened. What i did. I don’t blame them for treating me the way they did, but for a family club they could’ve been abit open to me and my family about it. You’ll always remember your first love, but even then you can always end up disliking that love.”
“If you had a straight choice between Barcelona and Real Madrid to manage, who would it be?”
“As the question is a hypothetical one, i’ll give you an answer to match. None of your business.”
“Well thank you for your time, Milan. And goodluck for the future.”
But it didn’t start off all rosy, signing to Ajax, the team he loved at the tender age of 11 was a dream come true for him. But at 13, everything turned sour. A life changing decision meant that Milan put everything at risk, and in a split second he altered so many lives on a devastating level.
After two years out of the game, Milan was approached by Ajax’s rivals. Even with a tarnished name at that point, they still took a chance. And he did something he idol, Johan Cruijff did and moved to Feyenoord. Born and raised in Amstelveen. Milan immediately fell in love with Ajax and Johan Cruijff. But his love affair with the Amsterdam club ended the moment he signed for Feyenoord.
After two years in Rotterdam, Real Madrid came calling. Offering Feyenoord a huge fee for the then 18 year old in 99’. Initially Milan didn’t want to make the move, he believed he was too young to join the world’s biggest club, but Feyenoord backed him into a corner as they needed the money his sale would bring.
After a successful four years in the Spanish capital, Milan drew interest from English Champions, Manchester United in 03’ signing for Sir Alex’s team on a free transfer much to the ire of Madrid higher uppers.
Five successful years followed at United and Milan bowed out winning the Champions League in Moscow as he headed to Barcelona for a £22 million fee and irating the Madrid faithful that once adored him.
In the seven years that followed, Milan became an integral part of what Pep, Tito, Martino and Enrique had created. After being told by Luis Enrique that he would only be a bit part player at best if he signed a new contract, Milan decided to seek pastures new.
Those pastures however happened to be an old team, much to the disgruntlement of the fans and some board members. However Rafa Benitez persisted and got his man on a free transfer. Despite how poor they were under Benitez, Milan performed brilliantly and stayed as a mainstream in the team under Zizou as he became the first ever person to win the Champions League FOUR years in a row. Eventually calling time on his career at the grand old age of 37.
After taking a year and half out of the game to garner his managerial badges, Milan returns, but it was temporarily halted due to the pandemic, which thankfully now has subsided.
“So Milan, where do you see yourself starting your managerial career?”
“To be honest with you, i don’t know. I don’t envisage myself in a job until late this year (2020) or early next year (2021) not many clubs are looking at managers right now, so when that opportunity comes knocking, wherever it might be, i will consider anywhere.”
“Are there any clubs you don’t see yourself managing?”
“I’ve played for a lot of great clubs, and i wouldn’t rule out working with one of their closest rivals if the opportunity ever presents itself. But it has to be what’s best for me. I won’t ever say there’s a club i’d never manage as you’re restricting yourself in that aspect.”
“Obviously you’ve got alot of love for a few clubs, but do you ever see yourself managing Ajax, your first love?”
“Who’s to say they would even want me? And yes they were my first love, but after what happened. What i did. I don’t blame them for treating me the way they did, but for a family club they could’ve been abit open to me and my family about it. You’ll always remember your first love, but even then you can always end up disliking that love.”
“If you had a straight choice between Barcelona and Real Madrid to manage, who would it be?”
“As the question is a hypothetical one, i’ll give you an answer to match. None of your business.”
“Well thank you for your time, Milan. And goodluck for the future.”
