Wim Suurbier Profile

Wim Suurbier was a Dutch footballer who played as a right-back during the 1960s and 1970s. He was born on January 16, 1945, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, and started his playing career with the youth team of Ajax. Suurbier quickly established himself as a talented right-back with a penchant for attacking and overlapping runs down the wing. He became an integral part of the famous Ajax team that won three consecutive European Cups between 1971 and 1973. Suurbier's pace, stamina, and excellent crossing ability made him a key player for Ajax during this period.

Suurbier was known for his attacking style of play and was a regular scorer of goals for both Ajax and the Dutch national team. He was part of the Dutch team that reached the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup, where they lost to West Germany. Suurbier played a crucial role in the Dutch team's success during the tournament, providing several assists and scoring one goal in the group stage.

In addition to his success with Ajax and the Dutch national team, Suurbier also had a successful playing career in the United States. He played for the Los Angeles Aztecs and the San Jose Earthquakes in the North American Soccer League (NASL) during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Suurbier's performances for the Aztecs and the Earthquakes earned him a reputation as one of the best defenders in the NASL.

Suurbier retired from professional football in 1982 and went on to have a successful career as a coach. He coached several clubs in the Netherlands, including FC Volendam, De Graafschap, and Cambuur Leeuwarden. Suurbier was known for his innovative coaching techniques and was highly respected in the Dutch footballing community.