The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsJimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
43 year old Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has only been in charge of the Brewers since November, but the Dutchman has already achieved promotion to League One.
As a player, Hasselbaink is better known for his time with Chelsea. But it was two seasons at Premier League side Leeds United where he made his name, scoring 34 goals from 69 appearances, before a one year spell at Spanish club Atletico Madrid, where the Dutchman netted an impressive 24 goals in 34 appearances. From there he moved to Chelsea, where he continued his impressive goalscoring form; 70 goals in 136 appearances. A move to Middlesbrough followed, as did the goals. Ending his playing career with a season each at Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City respectively, Hasselbaink eventually ended a sensational playing career, which included just under 30 caps for Holland.
Hasselbaink began coaching with Conference South side Woking, before a move to Chelsea’s under 16 squad, where he attained his relevant coaching licenses. He also had a brief spell behind the scenes at Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Hasselbaink began his managerial career at Belgian Second Division side Royal Antwerp. Upon his arrival, the club had just been relegated from the First Division, and he aimed to achieve promotion within two years. He led the club to a 7th placed finish, before rejecting another year at the club.
After just five months out, Hasselbaink returned to management taking over at League Two side Burton Albion, following Gary Rowett’s departure to Birmingham. Hasselbaink arrived with the club already in the top three, but with just three defeats in 30 matches in charge, the Dutchman led the Brewers to the League Two title, gaining promotion to League One for the first time in the clubs history.
OK, so Hasselbaink has only been in charge for a short spell, but he had achieved promotion with one of the smaller clubs in the division, in terms of budget and size. If Hasselbaink can prove to be as successful a manager as he was a player, next season’s campaign in League One will be a big test, and if he can have a successful season, he will most certainly be managing at the top one day.
