Five players who shouldn’t have become managers

4. Ruud Gullit

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 02: Former player, Ruud Gullit looks on prior to the Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and VVV Venlo at Amsterdam Arena on May 2, 2012 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

An inspirational figure amongst the minorities of Holland, Gullit was well known for his versatility on the field. Notably, the “Black Tulip” won European Footballer of the Year in 1987. An essential piece of the Dutch trio comprising of Marco Van Basten and Ronald Koemen, Ruud Gullit captained the Netherlands (a.k.a chokers) to their only tournament success in Euro ’88. Along with Van Basten, the Dutchman of Surinamese descent won two European Cups at AC Milan, to add to his tally of three Serie A titles and three Eredivisies in his homeland. He hung up his boots having made 540 appearances in which he scored 216 goals.

As a manager, Gullit was unable to build positive relationships with players and the boardroom during his tenure at Chelsea, Newcastle United, Feyenoord and L.A.Galaxy ending disastrously. The then President of Chelsea, Ken Bates described Gullit as a person he never liked and a manager he never respected. At Tyneside, his fallout with fan favorite Alan Shearer and captain, Robert Lee forced his resignation after five games into the 1999-2000 season while at Feyenoord and Galaxy, his departure was rather eminent after a poor first season in charge.