Leo Beenhakker, the first foreigner to coach the Polish men’s national football team on a full-time basis, has died aged 82
Under the Dutchman’s leadership, Poland qualified for its first European Championships in 2008.
He passed away in his native city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands on Thursday, according to media reports.
Beenhakker’s greatest achievement while coaching the Poles was to be the first coach ever to successfully see the national team qualify for the Euros – even though Poland was eventually eliminated in the group stage.
During his illustrious managerial career, the player-turned-coach led the Dutch national team, Ajax Amsterdam and Real Madrid, among many other clubs.
W czwartek 10 kwietnia w wieku niespełna 83 lat zmarł były selekcjoner reprezentacji Polski Leo Beenhakker.
— Łączy nas piłka (@LaczyNasPilka) April 10, 2025
Polski Związek Piłki Nożnej rodzinie, przyjaciołom i najbliższym Leo Beenhakkera składa najszczersze wyrazy współczucia.
Więcej 👉 https://t.co/2aXvoEmad8 pic.twitter.com/wass6MXwoA
Beenhakker became the Poland coach in 2006, replacing Paweł Janas. He coached the Red-and-Whites for three years, leading them to victory on the pitch 22 times in 47 games, drawing 13 times and incurring 12 losses. Under Beenhakker, the Poles scored 75 goals while conceding 47. His last game with the team was an away game against Slovenia in Maribor, which Poland lost 0-3.
The Polish Football Association has expressed condolences to Beenhakker’s family, friends and loved ones.
