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#2 Edgar Davids
Van Gaal launched the careers of a ludicrous amount of young talent during his time as manager of Ajax from 1991 to 1997, but few players had the success that legendary Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids was able to experience throughout his storied career.
Davids began his career at Ajax as a 12-year-old, and he was handed his first team debut at the club in September 1991 at the age of 18 shortly after Van Gaal took over the reins as manager. The tough-tackling midfielder quickly established himself as a key player at the club, winning 3 Eredivisie titles in 1993/94, 1994/95 and 1995/96, and helping them to their famous UEFA Champions League victory in 1994/95.
It was Van Gaal in fact who christened Davids with his famous ‘Pitbull’ nickname, given to him for his marking ability, aggression and tenacity in the centre of midfield. And interestingly enough, once Davids departed Ajax for AC Milan in the summer of 1996, Van Gaal would last just one more season at Ajax before moving to pastures new himself.
Davids went on to massive success with Juventus – where he won the Serie A title on 3 occasions – and later at Barcelona, Inter Milan and Tottenham. And clearly, he never forgot the man who launched his career back in his Ajax days – using a comical and infamous Van Gaal quote to wish his fans a Merry Christmas during the festive period a few years ago.
