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Erik Gerets

Eric Gerets
Eric Gerets.jpg
Eric Gerets after the celebration of Al Hilal in Saudi League 2009–10
Personal information
Full name Eric Maria Gerets
Date of birth (1954-05-18) 18 May 1954 (age 63)
Place of birth Rekem, Belgium
Height 1.82 m (5 ft 11 12 in)
Playing position Right back
Youth career
1964–1971 AA Rekem
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1983 Standard Liège 318 (23)
1983–1984 Milan 13 (1)
1984–1985 MVV 12 (0)
1985–1992 PSV 200 (8)
Total 543 (32)
National team
1975–1991 Belgium 86 (2)
Teams managed
1992–1994 Liège
1994–1997 Lierse
1997–1999 Club Brugge
1999–2002 PSV
2002–2004 1. FC Kaiserslautern
2004–2005 VfL Wolfsburg
2005–2007 Galatasaray
2007–2009 Marseille
2009–2010 Al-Hilal
2010–2012 Morocco
2012–2014 Lekhwiya
2014–2015 Al Jazira
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Eric Maria Gerets (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈeːrɪk ˈxeːrəts], born 18 May 1954) is a Belgian football manager and former footballer. He started his playing career as an amateur for his local team AA Rekem, before achieving success with Standard Liège and PSV. At his peak he was regarded as one of the top right-backs in Europe. The combination of his warrior's heart, beard and dark long hair earned him the nickname "The Lion (of Flanders)".

Considered one of the greatest players in Belgian football history, he is famous for having captained PSV to their first and only European Cup win in 1988.

As a coach, he is best known for his advocacy of systems thinking.

Gerets began his career playing for amateur side AA Rekem before joining then titleholders Standard de Liège. Making his debut 16 April 1972 coming on for Silvester Takač against FC Diest. In the 1972–73 season Standard reached the Cup final, manager Vlatko Marković let Gerets start despite not being an established first team member as Standard lost 2–1 to fierce rivals Anderlecht. The following season, Gerets replaced 29-year-old Jacques Beurlet and became the first choice right back for the Rouches. In 1975 Gerets made his debut for the national team.

Gerets played for Standard Liège, Milan, MVV Maastricht and PSV, winning among others the 1987–88 European Cup, two Belgian championships and six Dutch championships.


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