Kees Rijvers dead aged 97: Tributes pour in for iconic Holland star and boss who won four top-flight titles and Uefa Cup

FORMER Netherlands manager Kees Rijvers has died at the age of 97.

The Dutchman was idolised for his glittering managerial career in Holland alongside his superb playing days.

GettyKees Rijvers has passed away at 97[/caption]

Rijvers was one of the first Dutch players to take his playing career abroad and won the French league title in 1957 with Saint Etienne.

As a manager he gave international debuts to some of the Netherland’s most iconic players including Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman.

Rijvers took charge of the national team for three and a half years overseeing 21 games as the boss of the Oranje.

But he also made an impact on the national side as a player earning himself 33 caps and scoring 10 goals between 1946 and 1960.

It was his managerial career at club level that was perhaps the most impressive record he held.

Rijvers won three Eredivise titles and the Uefa Cup as the manager of PSV Eindhoven.

PSV led tributes for their former gaffer with a statement released on their website.

It read: “With the death of Kees Rijvers, the club and Dutch football have lost a great icon.

“PSV is thinking of all the relatives and wishes everyone a lot of strength in coping with this great loss.”

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