Denis Bergkamp
However, Non-Flying Dutchman, as he is called due to his fear of flying, insisted he would not move into coaching after retired from professional football in 2006. He turned down an offer to scout for Arsenal and instead concentrated on travelling and spending time with his family. But everybody knew that Bergkamp can’t live without football.
In April 2008 he began a fast-track coaching diploma for former Dutch international footballers and undertook a trainee role at Ajax. Having completed the Coach Betaald Voetbal course by the KNVB, Bergkamp was appointed assistant to Johan Neeskens for the newly formed Netherlands B team on 26 October 2008. For the 2008–09 season, Bergkamp returned to Ajax in a formal coaching position with responsibility for the (U12) youth team. Following the promotion of Frank de Boer as manager of Ajax in December 2010, Bergkamp was appointed assistant manager to Fred Grim, dealing with Ajax’ flagship (U19) youth team.
As of August 2011, Bergkamp has been De Boer’s assistant at Ajax. We are all waiting for his debut as a head coach of some club.
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