Hedwiges Maduro

Hedwiges Maduro

Maduro managing Almere City in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Hedwiges Eduard Martinus Maduro [1]
Date of birth	(1985-02-13) 13 February 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth	Almere, Netherlands
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Defensive midfielder, centre-back
Youth career
1991–1996	ASC Waterwijk
1996–2001	Sporting Flevoland
2001–2003	Omniworld
2003–2004	Ajax
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2008	Ajax	70	(9)
2008–2012	Valencia	76	(2)
2012–2014	Sevilla	26	(0)
2014–2015	PAOK	19	(3)
2015–2017	Groningen	32	(1)
2017–2018	Omonia	28	(1)
Total		251	(16)
International career
2005–2007	Netherlands U21	9	(1)
2005–2011	Netherlands	18	(0)
Managerial career
2020–2022	Almere City U21
2023	Ajax (caretaker)
2024	Almere City
Medal record Men's football Representing   Netherlands UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2007
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Hedwiges Eduard Martinus Maduro (born 13 February 1985) is a Dutch professional football coach and former player who is currently without a club after being fired as the head coach of Eredivisie club Almere City. Mainly a defensive midfielder during his playing career, he could also operate as a central defender, where he started his career at Ajax at the age of 19.

He spent several seasons in La Liga, mainly with Valencia, where he appeared in 113 competitive games and won the 2008 Spanish Cup. He also competed professionally in Greece and Cyprus.

A Dutch international in the 2000s, Maduro represented the country at the 2006 World Cup.

Club career

Ajax

Maduro was born in Almere, Flevoland. At Ajax, he was voted as the Amsterdam club's brightest emerging talent in the 2003–04 season, ^[2] and made his Eredivisie debut in the following campaign, his debut in the competition coming against Roda JC on 27 February 2005 in a 2–1 away win. ^[3]

Maduro with a Spanish journalist

In the following years, Maduro started more often than not for Ajax, helping the team to two KNVB Cups and three Johan Cruyff Shields. He appeared in 105 games overall for them, scoring eleven goals.^{[ citation needed ]}

Valencia

In mid-January 2008, after helping Ajax to the third consecutive Johan Cruyff Shield, Maduro joined Valencia, in a four-and-a-half-year deal worth €3 million; compatriot Ronald Koeman was the team manager. ^[4] His La Liga debut came late in the month a 0–1 home loss against Almería, ^[5] and he started in all 11 matches he played in his first year, but the Che could only finish tenth even though they won the Copa del Rey, with the player being an unused substitute in the final against Getafe (Koeman had already been fired at that point). ^[6]

In his first full season in Spain, Maduro started playing a small role, a situation which was created after his late return from the 2008 Summer Olympics. ^[7] However, new coach Unai Emery eventually awarded him minutes due to injuries and suspensions, and he performed well in various positions, including right-back. ^{[8] [9]} On 25 April 2009, he scored his first competitive goal for the club, netting from a corner kick to make it 1–1 against Barcelona in an eventual 2–2 home draw; ^[10] with the team finally finishing in sixth position he made more than 30 appearances during the campaign, in spite of facing stiff competition from the likes of Alexis or Carlos Marchena, as only Raúl Albiol was an undisputed starter in the back-four sector.^{[ citation needed ]}

Maduro spent the vast majority of 2011–12 on the sidelines, nursing a serious ankle injury. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

Sevilla

Maduro in action for Sevilla in 2012

On 5 June 2012, Sevilla announced on their official website the signing of Maduro on a free transfer. He turned down a contract extension at Valencia, and also had an offer from Spartak Moscow, who had just hired his former boss Emery, ^{[14] [15]} finishing his debut season in Andalusia with 30 games all competitions comprised to help the side to the ninth place, in spite of being diagnosed with a heart condition in the previous summer. ^{[16] [17] [18]}

With Míchel gone from the bench and Emery being hired as his replacement, Maduro was quickly deemed surplus to requirements. ^[19]

PAOK

On 2 January 2014, it was announced that Maduro would sign with Greece's PAOK for two and a half years. ^[20] The deal was confirmed five days later. ^[21]

In February 2015, nursing a hand injury, Maduro requested a leave of absence and visited his former club Ajax. ^[22] After being linked to Feyenoord, ^[23] his contract expired and both parties agreed to part ways. ^[24]

Omonia

On 20 July 2017, the 32-year-old Maduro signed a two-year contract with Cypriot First Division side Omonia for an undisclosed fee, arriving from Groningen. ^[25] He made his debut on 10 September in the season opener, a 2–1 home win against Ethnikos. ^[26]

On 9 August 2018, Maduro announced his retirement through a short video on Twitter. ^{[27] [28]}

International career

Shortly after making his league debut with Ajax, Maduro won his first cap for the Netherlands on 26 March 2005, in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Romania. He was picked for the final squad-of-23 by national team manager Marco van Basten – also his coach in Ajax's youth system – appearing four minutes in the 0–0 group stage draw against Argentina ^[29] in an eventual round-of-16 exit.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 2007, despite already having amassed 12 senior caps, Maduro took part in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship which was held in the Netherlands, and scored the competition's first goal when the Jong Oranje beat Israel 1–0. ^[30] He also played in the second match, a 2–1 win against Portugal which secured a semi-final spot and qualification to the Olympic tournament.^{[ citation needed ]}

In the semi-finals against England (1–1 after 120 minutes) Maduro successfully converted his penalty shootout attempt, as Holland won it 13–12 after 32 shots. ^[31] The Dutch went on to retain their 2006 title by beating Serbia 4–1 in the final, and he was named in the 'UEFA Team of the Tournament'. ^[32]

Coaching career

In addition to his work as an analyst on ESPN, Maduro also started his training as a professional football coach. During the 2018-2019 season, he was assistant coach to Erwin van de Looi at Jong Oranje. The following season, he was assistant coach at the Netherlands Under-18. In mid-2020, he became head coach of Almere City U21. ^[33] He led the team to the U21 Division 1 title in 2022. ^[34] Starting in December 2021, he also worked as an assistant coach of the Almere City first team. In April 2022, it was announced he would be an assistant for the first team by signing a two-year contract. ^[35]

In June 2023, Maduro signed a three-year contract to become the assistant coach at his former club, Ajax. ^[36] On 23 October that year, he became the caretaker manager of the club, following the dismissal of Maurice Steijn. ^[37] Three days later, he lost his debut 2–0 away to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Europa League group stage; ^[38] in his one league game on 29 October the team lost 5–2 at PSV Eindhoven before John van 't Schip was appointed the next day. ^[39]

Managerial career

On 13 May 2024, Maduro was announced as Eredivisie club Almere City's new head coach ahead of the 2024–25 season. ^[40] Upon joining he stated, "As a native of Almere, Almere City FC and the city of Almere mean a lot to me. I am therefore happy to return to the club where I started my coaching career." ^[41]

On 19 December 2024, Maduro was dismissed from his role as head coach at Almere City. ^[42]

Personal life

Maduro's father was originally from the town Paradera on Aruba, and his mother was from Curaçao, both being islands in the Dutch Caribbean. ^[43]

Career statistics

Club

Source: ^{[44] [45]}

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League		Cup		Europe		Other [nb 1]		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Ajax	2004–05	12	2	0	0	1	0	-	-	13	2
	2005–06	28	3	6	0	9	0	2	0	45	3
	2006–07	15	0	7	1	7	0	2	0	31	1
	2007–08	15	4	3	1	2	0	–		20	5
	Total	70	9	16	2	19	0	4	0	109	11
Valencia	2007–08	11	0	4	0	0	0	–		15	0
	2008–09	22	1	6	0	6	0	–		34	1
	2009–10	18	0	2	0	12	1	–		32	1
	2010–11	18	1	4	0	2	0	–		24	1
	2011–12	7	0	0	0	1	0	–		8	0
	Total	76	2	16	0	21	1	0	0	113	3
Sevilla	2012–13	26	0	4	0	0	0	–		30	0
	2013–14	0	0	0	0	1	0	–		1	0
	Total	26	0	4	0	1	0	0	0	31	0
PAOK	2013–14	9	2	4	1	2	0	–		15	3
	2014–15	10	1	1	0	4	0	1	0	16	1
	Total	19	3	5	1	6	0	1	0	31	4
Groningen	2015–16	28	1	2	1	8	1	2	0	40	3
	2016–17	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	5	0
	Total	32	1	2	1	8	1	3	0	45	3
Omonia	2017–18	28	1	0	0	0	0	–		28	1
Total		251	16	43	4	55	2	8	0	357	22

1. Includes Eredivisie and Superleague Greece playoffs

Honours

Ajax

• KNVB Cup: 2005–06, 2006–07 ^{[ citation needed ]}
• Johan Cruyff Shield: 2005, 2006, 2007 ^{[ citation needed ]}

Valencia

• Copa del Rey: 2007–08 ^{[ citation needed ]}

PAOK

• Greek Football Cup runner-up: 2013–14 ^{[ citation needed ]}

Netherlands U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2007 ^{[ citation needed ]}

Individual

• Ajax Talent of the Future/Talent of the Year: 2005 ^[46]

References

1. "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Netherlands" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
2. "Hedwiges Maduro". UEFA. Archived from the original on 12 June 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2007.
3. "Koppensnellen: Roda JC – Ajax 1–2" [Headhunting: Roda JC – Ajax 1–2] (in Dutch). AFC Ajax. 27 February 2005. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
4. Bailey, Graeme (18 January 2008). "Valencia seal Maduro deal". Sky Sports . Retrieved 5 January 2020.
5. "El Almería gana en Mestalla y acelera la autodestrucción del Valencia" [Almería win in Mestalla and accelerate Valencia's self-destruction]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). 27 January 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
6. "Un perdón con forma de Copa (3–1)" [Pardon in the shape of a Cup (3–1)]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 17 April 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
7. "Emery: 'Cuento plenamente con que Villa y Silva se quedarán'" [Emery: 'I'm quite hopeful that Villa and Silva will stay']. El Mundo (in Spanish). 8 August 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
8. "Emery se queda sin laterales izquierdos" [Emery runs out of left-backs]. Marca (in Spanish). 19 February 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
9. "Unai prueba a Maduro y a Joel para el lateral" [Unai tries Maduro and Joel at full-back]. Las Provincias (in Spanish). 4 March 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
10. "More than a draw (2–2)". FC Barcelona. 25 April 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
11. Picó, Diego (11 October 2011). "Maduro estará cuatro meses de baja al ser grave la lesión de tobillo" [Maduro to miss four months as ankle injury is serious]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 April 2012.
12. "Maduro injury blow for Valencia". UEFA. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
13. Arvinth, Karthick (4 April 2012). "Valencia's Maduro worried over Euro 2012 place". Goal . Retrieved 23 April 2012.
14. "Maduro rebutja les ofertes del València i dl'Spartak i fitxa pel Sevilla" [Maduro rejects offers from Valencia and Spartak and signs for Sevilla]. Levante-EMV (in Catalan). 5 June 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
15. "Sevilla sign Hedwiges Maduro from Valencia". Footballcracy. 5 June 2012. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
16. Liaño, Jorge (28 July 2012). "Maduro, sometido a pruebas por una anomalía cardíaca" [Maduro undergoes tests due to heart anomaly] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
17. "El sevillista Maduro, con problemas cardiacos" [Sevilla's Maduro, with heart problems] (in Spanish). Europa Sur. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
18. "Sevilla: Hedwiges Maduro viajará a Houston por sus problemas cardiacos" [Sevilla: Hedwiges Maduro will travel to Houston for his heart problems] (in Spanish). Goal. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
19. Arco, Miguel (6 June 2013). "La amnesia de Maduro" [Maduro's amnesia] (in Spanish). Sevilla Actualidad. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
20. "Maduro van Sevilla naar PAOK" [Sevilla's Maduro to PAOK] (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
21. "Hedwiges Maduro joins PAOK". PAOK FC. 7 January 2014. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
22. "Maduro visits former club Ajax". SDNA. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
23. "Maduro linked with Feyenoord". SDNA. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
24. Αποχαιρέτισαν Σαλπιγγίδης, Μαντούρο [Farewell to Salpingidis, Maduro] (in Greek). Contra. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
25. "Ποδοσφαιριστής της ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑΣ ο Hedwiges Maduro" [Hedwiges Maduro an Omonia footballer] (in Greek). AC Omonia. 20 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
26. Match report: Νικηφόρο ξεκίνημα [Match report: Winning start] (in Greek). Omonoia News. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
27. "Hedwiges Maduro (33) stopt met voetballen" [Hedwiges Maduro (33) quits football] (in Dutch). RTL Nieuws. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
28. "I want to thank God, my family, coaches, teammates, fans, doctors and all the people that have always believed in me. Without you I wouldn't be the person who I am. And I want to thank you for that since I have decided to end my career as a professional football player. Thank you". Twitter. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
29. "Holland 0–0 Argentina". BBC Sport. 21 June 2006. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
30. Sinai, Allon (11 June 2007). "Soccer: Disappointment for Israel's youngsters". The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved 2 May 2014.
31. Wilson, Jeremy (21 June 2007). "England go out after 32-penalty shoot-out drama". The Guardian . Retrieved 2 May 2014.
32. Harrold, Michael (23 June 2007). "Jong Oranje clinch European crown". UEFA. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
33. Velzel, Bas (6 April 2022). "Maduro verkiest Almere City boven PSV en Sparta". Ajax Showtime. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
34. "Almere City FC eerste kampioen Onder 21-competitie". KNVB (in Dutch). 21 May 2022. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
35. "Hedwiges Maduro blijft bij Almere City FC". Almere City FC (in Dutch). 5 April 2022. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
36. "Hedwiges Maduro in technical staff Ajax". Ajax. 16 June 2023.
37. "Ajax and Maurice Steijn part ways". Ajax. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
38. Brood, Thomas (26 October 2023). "Maduro-effect blijft uit: machteloos Ajax verliest van Brighton". NH Nieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 December 2023.
39. "Eredivisie strugglers Ajax appoint John van 't Schip as interim manager". beIN Sports. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
40. "Ajax and Almere City reach agreement on Hedwiges Maduro". Ajax. 13 May 2024. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
41. "Hedwiges Maduro leaves Ajax to take over as head coach of Almere City". OneFootball. 9 September 2024. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
42. "Almere City sack head coach Hedwiges Maduro after just six months in charge of Eredivisie side". OneFootball. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
43. "Football without borders in the Lowlands". FIFA. 30 June 2005. Archived from the original on 25 October 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
44. "Hedwiges Maduro » Club matches". Worldfootball. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
45. "H. Maduro". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
46. "Maduro Amsterdams talent van het jaar" [Maduro Amsterdam's talent of the year] (in Dutch). Blik op Nieuws. 21 December 2005. Retrieved 7 September 2018.

External links

• Stats at Voetbal International (in Dutch)
• Hedwiges Maduro at BDFutbol
• CiberChe stats and bio (in Spanish)
• Hedwiges Maduro at Wereld van Oranje (archived) (in Dutch)
• National U21 team data (in Dutch)
• Hedwiges Maduro at National-Football-Teams.com
• Hedwiges Maduro – FIFA competition record (archived)