Big Question: Which Current Coach was the Best Player?

April 5th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

Some of the best coaches in the world were little more than average players when they played. Some of the best players also turn out to be some of the worst coaches. Even with that being the case, there are a number of great players who are at the helms of the various World Cup teams this year. Players who are legends in their country and in the international football community. Here are the four current World Cup coaches that I think had the best playing careers.

Jurgen Klinsmann, Germany – Played for Germany in three World Cups, including the championship team in 1990. He collected 108 caps and 47 international goals in addition to playing on some of the best club teams in Europe.

Oleg Blokhin, Ukraine – Even when I was supposed to hate the Soviet Union I still loved watching Blokhin play. He scored 37 goals for the national team and an astounding 211 goals in 432 matches for Dinamo Kiev.

Zico, Japan – Represented his country in the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups, and scored 52 goals in 72 matches for Brazil. He is sometimes referred to as the best player to never win a World Cup.

Marco van Basten, Netherlands – Had a great career with AC Milan and as a Dutch international.

Who do you think belongs on this list?

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http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/big-question-which-current-coach-was-the-best-player.html#comments Pedro P

Both Koeman and Rijkaard – Benfica and Barcelona, respectivelly – were extremelly good players and are currently top coaches.

Curiously, they were both defensive midfielders. I have this theory that players that tended to be more defensive, usually give the best coahes. Maybe their sense of feeling the team…
http://www.bensefels.de Bense

That’s a clear vote for Klinsmann. Van Bastens’ career was highlighted on many occasions, but it was definitely too short…
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

I wonder if Bruce Arena is the only former goalkeeper that’s now coaching in the World Cup.

Ecuador’s Suarez is not in the same league as the guys on your list, but he did win the Copa Libertadores with his Colombian side as a player.
http://portugal.worldcupblog.org Luis Paulo

Zico. He is the only one in this list who can be compared with the greats: Cruiff, Maradona, Pelé etc…
http://www.bensefels.de Bense

I dunno, Klinsmann scored pretty well and won a World Cup, an Euro cup, several different national championships and cups.

I’d say if it comes to success, Klinsmann is top notch. If it comes to playing and talent, van Basten would have my vote.
OPKO

Oleg Volodymyrovych Blokhin. Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) and USSR national side.

He played for 20 years, from 1970 to 1990.

USSR league all-time leading scorer (211). 8 USSR championships, 5 USSR cups.

2 UEFA cup-winners’ cups. 43 matches andf 11 goals in Europe.

112 gamea and 42 goals for the USSR national team.
http://www.worldcupblog.com Bob

Trent – Ricardo La Volpe coaches Mexico and was a backup keeper on the ‘78 Argentina team. Not sure if there are any other former keepers coaching in the WC this year.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Bob – Thanks for the info. I can just see Lavolpe in goal, mustache a-bristlin’, with a Marlboro dangling from his mouth.
http://portugal.worldcupblog.org Luis Paulo

Zagallo is not the coach but the coach assistant and team cordinator but he was part of Brazilian squad in 58 and 62. He was a great righted wing.

Felipão was also a player too, if you can call him that. He was a terrible defender.
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/big-question-which-current-coach-was-the-best-player.html#comments Pedro P

My theory about defenders becoming the best coaches begins to shape… ;-) I didn’t know Scoalri was one. I only knew he played.

Mourinho was also a less than mediocre player. On the other hand, H Coelho (coached POR in 2000) was one of the best central defenders Portugal ever had (Benfica).
Euler

Zico! Master footballer! Great guy! Japan even build a statue for him! True story! Seriously, Zico.
Chris

Zico was such a disappointment at the 1978 World Cup after a big build up as the ‘white Pele’.
Excellant in ‘82 though.
http://www.bensefels.de Bense

Zico never won a World Cup. If you wanna become a legend, you need to win at least one WC. My opinion. He’s the Dan Marino of football. Brilliant player, but has never won the major trophy.

Take the golden generation of Portugal. I was there in Lisboa to see the final. Man, that was a disappointment. Great players, but never won anything on the big national stage. It’s a shame, but something they are responsible for.
kapcro

Since which coach was best player can translate into who would be on your team, Zico edges out Klinsmann. If having the cup is overriding factor Klinsmann gets the vote. Both had three appearances, it doesn’t seem all that fair to put all the blame on Zico for not winning a cup. I would go with Zico.
Introuble

Hey Bense, so youre saying that Johann Cruijff is not a legend, arent you? The only reason why most of people on this post didnt choice zico as the best is cause most you havent seen him playing enough… take a look at the brazilian’s answers(Luis Paulo, Euler, Chris, me..) and you’ll see.

Yeah man, Zico is, in my opinion, one of the “Titans” of football history beside Pelé, Cruijff, Di Stefano,…
Dean Friedman

Conversations always work better when they’re verbal…don’t you think?