Frank de Boer: From Managerial Triumphs to Embracing a Balanced Life

Few Dutch managers have experienced a managerial journey as tumultuous as Frank de Boer. Between 2010 and 2016 at Ajax, he achieved legendary status, clinching four consecutive Eredivisie titles, the Johan Cruyff Shield, and back-to-back Rinus Michels Awards as the country’s top coach. His Ajax teams epitomized the ideals of Dutch football, characterized by possession-based, attacking play and relentless dominance.

However, after narrowly missing a fifth league title in 2016, De Boer resigned, marking the end of an era of domestic supremacy. What followed was a series of challenging experiences that transformed his view on football management and his role within it.

De Boer’s tenure at Inter Milan in 2016 lasted merely 85 days, plagued by a low scoring average and four defeats in five matches, leading to his dismissal before winter. Subsequently, his brief stint at Crystal Palace could only muster 77 days and five Premier League matches, all resulting in losses. His initial ambition to modernize teams devolved into a troubling pattern of short-lived chaos.

In a recent interview with Voetbal International, De Boer expressed that his coaching career is likely behind him. When asked if he would consider returning to Ajax amid their search for a new coach, he firmly replied, “Not at all. All that misery. I just hope they get it right. Also for Johnny [Heitinga], a true Ajax man. They could use some improvement in their squad. They certainly have quality, especially for the Eredivisie. Let’s hope for some structure. Ajax should dominate almost every opponent, and not just for 50 minutes, but 70 or 80. Last week’s first half against Twente was embarrassing; it could have been 5-0. That should not happen at Ajax. You see the same struggles with [Liverpool coach Arne] Slot now: fantastic players, but they aren’t performing well. That puzzle needs to fall into place at Ajax too.”

Despite his deep affection for the club that shaped his career, De Boer admits to losing his appetite for the relentless negativity and pressure of football management. “Never say never, but I’m not exactly thrilled. I don’t miss all that negativity at all. I’m a grandfather three times over, I work on UEFA projects and provide analysis for Viaplay, I have my home in Spain, and I enjoy playing padel. I’m very happy with my life,” he stated.

Each of De Boer’s managerial departures tells a tale of potential thwarted by timing, pressure, or unsuitable environments. At Inter, he faced a fractured squad riddled with internal strife and inconsistent performances. By November 2016, he was dismissed.

His short tenure at Crystal Palace became one of the briefest in Premier League history, resulting in five matches without goals or points. Jose Mourinho famously ridiculed him afterward, labeling him as “the worst manager in Premier League history,” a characterization De Boer has since dismissed.

A brief stint with Atlanta United provided a temporary reprieve, where he led the team to victories in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup before parting ways in 2020 after a disappointing tournament run. The following year, as head coach of the Netherlands national team, he guided the Oranje to Euro 2020, only to suffer an early exit in the round of 16, resulting in further criticism and another dismissal.

By the time he managed Al Jazira in 2023, De Boer’s managerial passion had diminished. His mid-table finish and lackluster record culminated in yet another departure.

After leaving Al Jazira at the end of 2023, De Boer has intentionally stepped back from full-time coaching and is currently not engaged in any managerial role. Having faced the intense scrutiny that accompanies every setback, he has conveyed that he feels no rush to return to coaching.

De Boer has candidly acknowledged that the pressures and negativity of modern football management have taken their toll. Rather than pursue another position on the sidelines, he has opted to focus on a more peaceful, balanced life.

Now residing in Spain, De Boer splits his time between family, working on UEFA projects, and serving as a television analyst for Viaplay, where he offers commentary and tactical insights. Away from the limelight, he has also developed a passion for golf and padel, activities that keep him engaged and grounded.