Michael Reiziger

Michael John Reiziger (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɑikəldʑɔnˈrɛizəɣər]; born 3 May 1973) is a Dutch former professional footballer who played mainly as a right back. Reiziger currently manages the Netherlands U21 team.

After making a name for himself at Ajax, with whom he won one Champions League, he went on to represent four teams in as many countries, notably Barcelona, for which he played 249 official games in seven years, as well as spells at A.C. Milan, Middlesbrough and PSV Eindhoven.

Reiziger represented the Netherlands national team for a full decade, competing at three European Championships and the 1998 World Cup and finishing fourth in the latter tournament.

Playing career

Club

Born in Amstelveen, North Holland, to Surinamese parents, Reiziger started his career with hometown club Ajax, making his first-team debut at the age of 17 then serving two consecutive loan spells, with Volendam and Groningen; with the latter, in the 1993–94 season, he scored a career-best six goals while operating also as a midfielder.

Upon his return to Ajax, Reiziger established himself as a renowned defensive element, helping the side to, among other conquests, the 1994–95 edition of the UEFA Champions League. In 1996, he signed for A.C. Milan, but after a season marred by injury, he departed for Barcelona where he spent the following seven years, arriving at the same time as compatriot and former Ajax boss Louis van Gaal; though not an undisputed starter, he nonetheless featured heavily for the Catalans, making more than 200 overall appearances and helping to back-to-back La Liga titles.

In 2004, Reiziger moved to Middlesbrough on a Bosman transfer. He scored once in the league for Boro, against Aston Villa in December 2004. After another campaign plagued by physical problems, he left and returned to the Netherlands to see out his career at PSV Eindhoven (in his second year he won the Eredivisie, and was also reunited with Ajax, Barça and national teammate Patrick Kluivert, although the two rarely ever played).

International

Reiziger made his debut for the Netherlands national team on 12 October 1994, against Norway. He played for his country at the UEFA Euro 1996, 1998 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2000 and Euro 2004, retiring from international play after the latter.

Shortly after signing for PSV, Reiziger said he would consider playing for the Netherlands again if the opportunity arose, but he was never recalled again, totalling 72 appearances in ten years.

Coaching career

After retiring, Reiziger settled in Barcelona. He later went on to coach Sparta Rotterdam at youth level and, subsequently and successively, acted as assistant to Gert Kruys and Alex Pastoor.

On 20 June 2017, Reiziger returned to Ajax as manager of the reserves who competed in the Eerste Divisie, replacing Marcel Keizer. In his first season in charge he led the squad to the league title, but they were ineligible for promotion. He also acted as interim for the first team during one match after the dismissal of Keizer, defeating Willem II 3–1 at home. He was the assistant coach of Ajax’ first team, from 2019 until 2023.Since 2023 he is the manager of Netherlands under 21 team.

Personal life

Reiziger's son, Gabriël (born 2005), also came through the Ajax youth system. He plays in 2025 for PEC Zwolle.

Career statistics

Club

International

Score and result list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after Reiziger's goal.

Honours

Player

Ajax

• Eredivisie: 1994–95, 1995–96
• KNVB Cup: 1992–93
• Dutch Supercup: 1994, 1995
• UEFA Champions League: 1994–95
• UEFA Cup: 1991–92
• UEFA Super Cup: 1995
• Intercontinental Cup: 1995

Barcelona

• La Liga: 1997–98, 1998–99
• Copa del Rey: 1997–98
• UEFA Super Cup: 1997

PSV

• Eredivisie: 2005–06, 2006–07

Manager

Jong Ajax

• Eerste Divisie: 2017–18

External links

• (in Dutch)
• at BDFutbol
• at Soccerbase
• at Wereld van Oranje (archived) (in Dutch)
• at National-Football-Teams.com
• – FIFA competition record (archived)