Leo Beenhakker, a legendary ex -manager of Real Madrid, dies at 82
Real Madrid’s legendary former manager Leo Beinghakker died at the age of 82.
Beenhakker’s coaching career has crossed over five decades and included winning periods of the title at Real Madrid together with the Ajax and Feyenoord in its native Netherlands.
Beenhakker has trained a series of other clubs including Club America and Real Zaragoza, before managing internationally with Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago and Poland.
The Dutch manager is known above all for his association with Real Madrid, with whom he managed twice and won six trophies, including three subsequent titles of La Liga between 1987 and 1989.
“Real Madrid wishes to express his condolences and sympathy for his family, his clubs and all his loved ones,” he read a club declaration.
Official declaration: Leo Beenhakker’s death.
– Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) April 10, 2025
His success in the Spanish capital came with the team that became known as the fifth of the Buitre, due to the prominence of the five graduates of the youth team of the Club Emilio Butraguano, Manolo Sanchis, Rafael Martin Vazquez, Michel and Miguel Pardeza who have become star players.
Beenhakker won the Dutch title Eredivisie with Ajax through separate spells in 1980 and 1990, then to Feyenoord in 1999.
He later entered the international management, training Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup and Poland at the Euro 2008.
(Ian Walton/Getty Images)
