Foeke Booy

Last updated

Foeke Booy
Foeke Booy.jpg
Personal information
Date of birth (1962-04-25) 25 April 1962 (age 63)
Place of birth Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Position Forward
Team information
Current team
 Almere City
(head of scouting)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1980–1984 Cambuur 72 (8)
1984–1985 De Graafschap 34 (20)
1985–1987 PEC Zwolle 77 (37)
1987–1988 Groningen 29 (10)
1988–1989 Kortrijk 31 (8)
1989–1993 Club Brugge 111 (49)
1993–1994 Gent 28 (11)
1994–1996 Utrecht 26 (4)
Total408(147)
Managerial career
2000–2002 Utrecht (assistant)
2002–2007 Utrecht
2007 Al-Nassr
2007–2009 Sparta Rotterdam
2012–2013 Cercle Brugge
2013–2015 Go Ahead Eagles
2023–2024 Sparta Rotterdam (assistant)
2024–2025 Almere City (assistant)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Foeke Booy (born 25 April 1962) is a Dutch former professional footballer player and manager who is the head of scouting for Eerste Divisie club Almere City. A forward during a sixteen-year playing career in the Netherlands and Belgium, he is best known for his successful managerial spell at Utrecht, where he won back-to-back KNVB Cups and the Johan Cruyff Shield between 2003 and 2004.

Contents

Booy began his career with hometown club Cambuur before playing for De Graafschap, PEC Zwolle and Groningen. He later spent five seasons in Belgium with Kortrijk, Club Brugge and Gent, winning two league titles and the Belgian Cup with Club Brugge, before finishing his career at Utrecht.

After retiring in 1996, Booy moved into coaching at Utrecht, progressing from youth roles to head coach in 2002. He subsequently managed Al-Nassr, Sparta Rotterdam, Cercle Brugge and Go Ahead Eagles, and later held senior technical positions at Cambuur and Almere City.

Club career

Booy spent sixteen seasons as a professional footballer, representing eight clubs in the Netherlands and Belgium. He began his senior career with his hometown side Cambuur, before moving on to De Graafschap, PEC Zwolle and FC Groningen. In 1987 he left the Netherlands for Belgium, where he played for Kortrijk, Club Brugge and Gent.

His most successful spell came at Club Brugge, where he won two national championships and the Belgian Cup. In 1994 he returned to the Netherlands to join FC Utrecht, but a serious knee injury soon curtailed his playing time and ultimately brought an end to his career at the top level.

Managerial and executive career

Early coaching career and success at Utrecht

Following his retirement at the age of 34, Booy moved into coaching at Utrecht. He initially managed the club's under-17 side, later took charge of Jong Utrecht, and spent two years as assistant coach with the first team. [1] In 2002, he was appointed both technical manager and head coach. [2] [3]

Booy went on to become one of the most successful managers in Utrecht's history. In his first season in charge, the club challenged for European qualification before finishing eighth in the 2002–03 Eredivisie with 47 points. [3] The campaign culminated in Utrecht's victory in the KNVB Cup, defeating Feyenoord 4–1 at De Kuip. [4]

Despite the departure of several key players the following year, including Dirk Kuyt, Utrecht retained the cup, and their league points tally fell by only one compared with the previous season. [5] [6] In 2004, Booy guided the team to a third major trophy, as Utrecht defeated Ajax 4–2 at the Amsterdam ArenA to win the Johan Cruijff Schaal. [7]

In July 2007, Booy signed a one-year contract to become manager of Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. [8] He struggled to settle in Saudi Arabia and left the club in November of the same year. [9]

On 18 December 2007, Booy was appointed head coach of Sparta Rotterdam. [10] He remained in charge until the end of the 2008–09 season, after which he returned to FC Utrecht as director of football. His tenure ended in May 2012, when the club dismissed him from the role. [11]

In November 2012, Booy was appointed manager of Belgian side Cercle Brugge. [12] His spell in Bruges was brief, as he was dismissed in April 2013 following a run of poor results. [13]

Go Ahead Eagles

On 23 June 2013, Booy was appointed head coach of newly promoted Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles, signing a one-year contract with an option for an additional season. [14] In his first campaign he met the club's objective of retaining Eredivisie status, a season that included a 3–2 away win over Utrecht on 4 October 2014—their first league victory there since 1992. On 8 March 2015, the club announced that Booy would leave at the end of the season. The decision prompted criticism from sections of the support, who argued that he should depart immediately as the team was in the relegation zone. Following a 3–0 home defeat to Vitesse on 21 March, the board dismissed him the next day, with the side placed 17th in the table. [15]

Return to executive roles and later coaching

On 24 November 2017, Booy returned to Cambuur as the club's new technical manager, more than three decades after beginning his playing career there in 1980. [16] [17] During his tenure, Cambuur secured promotion to the Eredivisie by winning the 2020–21 Eerste Divisie. [18]

In July 2021, Booy suffered a stroke. [19] While he underwent rehabilitation, financial director Gerald van den Belt assumed his responsibilities as technical director. [20] Booy later returned to his post following a successful recovery. After Cambuur's relegation at the end of the 2022–23 season, the club informed him that his contract would not be renewed. [21] [22]

Booy joined Sparta Rotterdam as an assistant coach ahead of the 2023–24 season, but his employment came to an end a few months later following the dismissal of head coach Jeroen Rijsdijk. [23] [24] On 21 November 2024, he was appointed assistant coach to Hedwiges Maduro at Almere City, supporting Maduro in his first season as a head coach in professional football. [25] After Maduro's dismissal in December 2024, Booy and Anoush Dastgir jointly assumed interim coaching duties. [26] [27] After Almere's relegation to the Eerste Divisie at the end of the 2024–25 season, Booy moved into a new position at the club as head of scouting. [28] [29]

Personal life

Booy is married to Wendy Booy-de Ruiter, whom he met during his early playing years at Cambuur; the couple married in 1985 and have two daughters. They lived in several Dutch and Belgian cities during his playing and coaching career before settling in Houten, near Utrecht. [30]

On 4 July 2021, Booy suffered a stroke at home and underwent subsequent hospital treatment and rehabilitation. He later returned to work and daily activities, though with reduced physical intensity. [19]

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamFromToRecord
PWDLWin %
Utrecht July 2002June 2007208824878039.4
Al-Nassr July 2007November 2007169744154043.8
Sparta Rotterdam 18 December 2007June 20095618929032.1
Cercle Brugge 5 November 20122 April 2013225512022.7
Go Ahead Eagles 23 June 201322 March 201566181434027.3
Total36012678156035.0

Honours

Player

Club Brugge

Manager

Utrecht

References

  1. ↑ "Interview met Foeke Booy, trainer van FC Utrecht" [Interview with Foeke Booy, manager of FC Utrecht]. Rijnsburgse Boys (in Dutch). 2 November 2006. Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  2. ↑ "Booy belangrijkste kandidaat Utrecht" [Booy main candidate for Utrecht]. Voetbal International (in Dutch). 19 May 2002. Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Seizoen 2002/2003" [2002–03 season]. FC Utrecht (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  4. 1 2 "2003: FC Utrecht neemt revanche" [2003: FC Utrecht take revenge]. KNVB Beker. 12 March 2018. Archived from the original on 5 September 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "Seizoen 2003/2004" [2003–04 season]. FC Utrecht (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  6. 1 2 "2004: FC Utrecht prolongeert de beker" [2004: FC Utrecht retain the cup]. KNVB Beker (in Dutch). 12 March 2018. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  7. 1 2 "FC Utrecht wint Johan Cruijff-schaal" [FC Utrecht win the Johan Cruyff Shield]. de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 8 August 2004. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "Al-Nassr meldt komst Foeke Booy" [Al-Nassr announce the arrival of Foeke Booy]. Trouw (in Dutch). 24 June 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "'Foeke Booy is toch al terug in Nederland'" [Foeke Booy is already back in the Netherlands]. Voetbal International (in Dutch). 28 November 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "Sparta definitief rond met Foeke Booy" [Sparta finalise deal with Foeke Booy]. FCUpdate.nl (in Dutch). 18 December 2007. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "FC Utrecht ontslaat Foeke Booy" [FC Utrecht sack Foeke Booy]. Rijnmond (in Dutch). 10 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "Foeke Booy nieuwe trainer Cercle Brugge" [Foeke Booy appointed head coach of Cercle Brugge]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 5 November 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "Cercle Brugge ontslaat Foeke Booy" [Cercle Brugge sack Foeke Booy]. Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 2 April 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "Foeke Booy nieuwe trainer van Go Ahead Eagles" [Foeke Booy new head coach of Go Ahead Eagles]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 24 June 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "Go Ahead Eagles ontslaat Foeke Booy" [Go Ahead Eagles sack Foeke Booy]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 22 March 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  16. ↑ "Foeke Booy nieuwe technisch manager SC Cambuur" (in Dutch). SC Cambuur. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  17. ↑ Caldenhoven, Mark (24 November 2017). "Foeke Booy bij Cambuur terug op het oude nest". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  18. ↑ "Cambuur officieel kampioen eerste divisie, honderden supporters onthalen ploeg" [Cambuur official first division champion, hundreds of supporters welcome team]. Football. nos.nl (in Dutch). NOS. 24 April 2021 [2021-04-23]. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  19. 1 2 Horst, Oscar van der (19 March 2022). "Booy telt zijn zegeningen, elke dag weer: 'Mijn vrouw dacht dat ik doodging'" [Booy counts his blessings, every single day: 'My wife thought I was dying.']. NOS (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  20. ↑ "Foeke Booy naar revalidatiecentrum: "Hij werkt vol goede moed aan herstel"" [Foeke Booy to rehabilitation centre: 'He is working on his recovery with full optimism']. Sporza (in Flemish). 9 July 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  21. ↑ "Afscheid vertrekkende spelers, stafleden en technisch manager na laatste wedstrijd" [Farewell to departing players, staff members and technical manager after the final match]. SC Cambuur (in Dutch). 29 May 2023. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  22. ↑ "Contract Foeke Booy bij Cambuur niet verlengd: 'Jammer'" [Foeke Booy's contract at Cambuur not extended: 'A pity']. RTV Utrecht (in Dutch). 18 January 2023. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  23. ↑ "Booy draagt bij Sparta weer kicksen en geen maatpak, een stapje terug dat goed voelt" [At Sparta, Booy is wearing football boots again instead of a suit — a step back that feels right]. NOS (in Dutch). 4 July 2023. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  24. ↑ "Rijsdijk ontslagen door Sparta, ook Booy vertrekt" [Sparta sack Rijsdijk, Booy departs as well]. ESPN.nl (in Dutch). 1 November 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  25. ↑ "Almere City stelt Foeke Booy aan als extra assistent van Maduro" [Almere City name Foeke Booy as an extra assistant to Maduro]. Omroep Flevoland (in Dutch). 21 November 2024. Archived from the original on 15 January 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  26. ↑ Timmerman, Stan (21 December 2024). "Ontslag Maduro pakt goed uit, Almere wint ruim van Heerenveen" [Maduro's dismissal works out well, Almere beat Heerenveen convincingly.]. FCUpdate.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  27. ↑ "Schokeffect na ontslag Maduro: Almere verslaat Heerenveen" [Shock effect after sacking Maduro: Almere beat Heerenveen]. Voetbal International (in Dutch). 21 December 2024. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  28. ↑ "Nieuwe technische organisatie voor Almere City FC" [Almere City FC introduce new technical organisation]. Almere City FC (in Dutch). 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 May 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  29. ↑ "Foeke Booy: geen crisis bij Almere City FC" [Foeke Booy: no crisis at Almere City FC]. Omroep Flevoland (in Dutch). 17 October 2025. Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  30. ↑ Helders, Yontie (21 February 2020). "Het mooiste meisje van de stad/Wendy Booy-de Ruiter(55): voetbaldochter én voetbalvrouw" [The city's most beautiful girl / Wendy Booy-de Ruiter (55): daughter of football, wife of football.]. De Nuk (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 4 August 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
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