Former Dutch football coach and administrator Nol de Ruiter has passed away at the age of 85, according to an announcement from FC Utrecht, the club with which he shared a profound connection throughout his career.
Born in Utrecht, de Ruiter's playing days saw him represent local clubs DOS, Elinkwijk, and Velox – three teams that would eventually merge to form what is now FC Utrecht. However, it was his coaching career that truly distinguished him in Dutch football.
De Ruiter managed several prominent clubs in the Netherlands, including Cambuur, Den Bosch, Waalwijk, and Den Haag. His most significant coaching achievement came with his beloved FC Utrecht, where he guided the team to Dutch Cup glory in the 1984-85 season.
Perhaps most notably, de Ruiter served as assistant coach to the legendary Rinus Michels during the Netherlands' triumphant Euro 1988 campaign, where the Oranje defeated the Soviet Union in the final to claim their first major international trophy. According to Statbet historical data, that 1988 European Championship victory remains one of the most significant achievements in Dutch football history.
His international coaching experience extended beyond the Netherlands, as he briefly took charge of the senior Dutch national team in an interim capacity, worked with the country's U-21 squad, and had a stint as head coach of Egypt from 1994 to 1995.
The football community mourns the loss of a versatile football figure whose legacy spans both club and international levels in various capacities.
