Luc Nilis

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Luc Nilis
Luc Nilis 23 juni 2023.jpg
Nilis in 2023
Personal information
Full name Luc Gilbert Cyrille Nilis [1]
Date of birth (1967-05-25) 25 May 1967 (age 57)
Place of birth Hasselt, Belgium
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Patro Eisden (striker coach)
Youth career
1973–1980 Halveweg Zonhoven
1980–1984 Winterslag
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1984–1986 Winterslag 47 (16)
1986–1994 Anderlecht 223 (124)
1994–2000 PSV 164 (110)
2000–2001 Aston Villa 3 (1)
Total437(251)
International career
1982–1983 Belgium U16 6 (3)
1982–1983 Belgium U17 3 (2)
1983–1984 Belgium U18 8 (1)
1983–1985 Belgium U19 11 (6)
1986–1987 Belgium U21 3 (0)
1988–2000 Belgium 56 (10)
Managerial career
2007–2010 PSV (assistant)
2011 Kasımpaşa (assistant)
2011–2013 Gençlerbirliği (assistant)
2018–2020 VVV-Venlo (assistant)
2021 Jordan (assistant)
2021–2022 Belisia Bilzen
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Luc Gilbert Cyrille Nilis (born 25 May 1967) is a Belgian professional football manager and former player who is the striker coach of Patro Eisden.

Contents

He spent most of his career in his native Belgium and, in particular, in the Netherlands with PSV. His playing days came to an end in the 2000–01 season after breaking his leg in a match with his club Aston Villa following a clash with Ipswich Town goalkeeper Richard Wright.

Club career

His former clubs include Winterslag, Anderlecht, PSV and Aston Villa.

Early years

As youth player, Nilis was regarded as Winterslag's greatest talent. Standard, Club Brugge and PSV Eindhoven showed interest in the stylish attacker, but under the influence of Raymond Goethals, Nilis was transferred to Anderlecht at the age of 18. [2]

Anderlecht

Forming a duo with players such as Luís Oliveira or Marc Degryse, he would win several national prizes in the next seasons. [3] Although he was not considered as a very quick football player, his scoring ability and excellent kicking technique stood out. Long, placed distance shots with both left and right feet became his hallmark. [4]

PSV Eindhoven

Having left Anderlecht for Eindhoven in 1994, Nilis topped the Dutch scoring charts in the 1995–96 season, plundering 21 goals. [5] He continued that form into 1996–97 – leading the pack by December 1996 with 13 [6] – before matching his previous total, [5] in a season that ended with PSV winning the league title for the first time in five years. [7] In late 1997, Nilis scored thrice in three games over a fifteen-day period, all against Shay Given; with a goal at Newcastle United in the 1997–98 UEFA Champions League group stage coming in between goals for Belgium against the Republic of Ireland. [8] During his time with PSV, Nilis formed one of the deadliest partnerships in Europe with team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who signed for PSV in 1998. [7] In the 1998–99 season, Nilis and van Nistelrooy scored 55 league goals between them. Van Nistelrooy finished as top-scorer, [5] Nilis came second. In the following season, Nilis' last for PSV, they scored 48 league goals between them.

Aston Villa

After six years in the Netherlands, Nilis joined Aston Villa on a Bosman transfer in June 2000. [9] Nilis' Villa career started well, as he scored on his debut in the UEFA Intertoto Cup against Dukla Příbram on 22 July 2000 [10] before going on to score on his league debut against Chelsea on 27 August 2000. [11] In a league match against Ipswich Town on 9 September 2000, Nilis was involved in a clash with goalkeeper Richard Wright [12] that left him with a double compound fracture of his right shin. [13] At one point, the injury became infected, and Nilis even feared a possible amputation. [14] This hypothesis was later ruled out, although his playing career was effectively ended.

International career

Nilis played 56 times for the Belgium national team, scoring ten times. A prolific goalscorer with his clubs, he scored his first goal for Belgium only on his 24th cap (a 9–0 win against Zambia). [15]

Nilis played in the FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 1998. Qualification for the latter was sealed with Nilis' goals in each leg of Belgium's playoff against the Irish Republic. [8] Nilis dropped out of international football after the 1998 Finals, reportedly in response to an "unhealthy atmosphere within the squad and their lack of achievement". [15] However, with control of the Belgian national side having changed, [9] Nilis returned to the international fold in November 1999, [15] in time for Euro 2000, co-hosted by his birth-country Belgium and the Netherlands.

Coaching career

After his playing career ended, Beringen-Heusden-Zolder were his next port of call, becoming technical director in 2005, not long before the club's liquidation after financial difficulties. [7] Nilis took a job with PSV, first as a scout, and then training the club's forwards. In January 2011, Nilis became assistant manager with Turkish club Kasımpaşa, followed by another assistant manager stint with Gençlerbirliği S.K., also in Turkey. In April 2015, he was re-hired by PSV as a striker coach. [16]

In August 2021, Nilis became the head coach of Belgian Division 2 club Belisia Bilzen, which had been founded earlier that year from a merger between Spouwen-Mopertingen and Bilzerse Waltwilder. [17] It was his first assignment as head coach. In the round of 16 of the Belgian Cup, Belisia were drawn against Gent. At the end of October 2021, they lost that cup match 4–0. [18] In addition to his position as manager of Belisia Bilzen, Nilis was also hired as striker coach at the Talent Academy of KRC Genk on 10 March 2022. [19]

In 2023, he was appointed striker coach of Patro Eisden. [20]

Personal life

Nilis's father, Roger (1938–2011), played as a professional footballer in Belgium in the 1960s. [21] His son Arne was a youth player for Genk and PSV Eindhoven but was unable to pursue a professional career, mainly due to injuries and a gambling addiction. [22]

Legacy

Ronaldo occasionally names Nilis as one of the best strike partners he had played with, despite sharing only a brief time with him at PSV. [23] Ruud van Nistelrooy has also stated on several occasions that the Belgian was one of the best players, if not the best, he had ever played with. [7]

Despite the lack of a major international career, the technically skilled attacker is still praised by football fans and journalists in the low countries. [24] In 2020, he was named in the "Best squad of all time", of both Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven. [25]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [lower-alpha 1] League cup [lower-alpha 2] EuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Winterslag 1984–85 [26] Belgian Second Division 225———225
1985–86 [26] Belgian Second Division2511———2511
Total4716———4716
Anderlecht 1986–87 [27] [26] Belgian First Division 165—3 [lower-alpha 3] 1—196
1987–88 [27] [26] Belgian First Division3214—6 [lower-alpha 3] 1—3815
1988–89 [27] Belgian First Division3319—4 [lower-alpha 4] 0—3719
1989–90 [27] Belgian First Division279—9 [lower-alpha 4] 4—3613
1990–91 [27] Belgian First Division3019—6 [lower-alpha 5] 3—3622
1991–92 [27] Belgian First Division2715—9 [lower-alpha 3] 63621
1992–93 [27] Belgian First Division2819—6 [lower-alpha 5] 4—3423
1993–94 [27] Belgian First Division3024—9 [lower-alpha 6] 73931
Total223124—5226275150
PSV Eindhoven 1994–95 [27] Eredivisie 301210—2 [lower-alpha 5] 1—3313
1995–96 [27] Eredivisie312155—8 [lower-alpha 5] 5—4431
1996–97 [27] Eredivisie262123—4 [lower-alpha 7] 21 [lower-alpha 8] 03326
1997–98 [27] Eredivisie241333—5 [lower-alpha 6] 1—3217
1998–99 [27] Eredivisie272441—5 [lower-alpha 6] 0—3625
1999–2000 [27] Eredivisie261910—7 [lower-alpha 6] 2—3421
Total1641101612—311110212133
Aston Villa 2000–01 [27] Premier League 3100002 [lower-alpha 9] 1—52
Career total437251161200853810539301

International

Scores and results list Belgium's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nilis goal. [28]
List of international goals scored by Luc Nilis
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
14 June 1994 Heysel Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumFlag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 5–09–0 Friendly
28 August 1994Heysel Stadium, Brussels, Belgium Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 3–13–1Friendly
37 October 1995 Hrazdan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 1–02–0 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
42–0
59 October 1996 Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle, San Marino Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino 2–03–0 FIFA World Cup 1998 qualifying
63–0
729 October 1997 Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 1–11–1 FIFA World Cup 1998 qualifying
815 November 1997 King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumFlag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 2–12–1FIFA World Cup 1998 qualifying
922 April 1998King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, BelgiumFlag of Romania.svg  Romania 1–11–1Friendly
1025 June 1998 Parc des Princes, Paris, FranceFlag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1–01–1 FIFA World Cup 1998

Honours

Anderlecht [29]

PSV [29]

Individual

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References

  1. ↑ "Luc Nilis". PSV Eindhoven. 4 July 2002. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  2. ↑ "Luc Nilis: genieten van Winterslag tot Aston Villa". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 13 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Zulj de 600ste die voor Anderlecht speelde en ook deze mijlpalen staan in geschiedenis gegrift: van Nii Lamptey tot Luc Nilis". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 28 January 2019.
  4. ↑ "Nilis, Luc". anderlecht-online.be (in Dutch). 7 November 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "Topscorers". EredivisieStats.nl. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  6. ↑ "Hierro grabs crucial goal as Real Madrid stay on top". The Nation. Bangkok. Reuters. 2 December 1996. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Beresford, Jack (9 September 2016). "Luc Nilis: The PSV Eindhoven hitman who ran out of luck at Aston Villa". loaded.co.uk. Loaded. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  8. 1 2 Coughlan, David (13 June 2016). "Belgium legend Luc Nilis opens up about the 1998 World Cup playoff against Ireland & our chances at Euro 2016". buzz.ie.
  9. 1 2 Lansley, Pete (9 June 2000). "Nilis turns blind eye to Villa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  10. ↑ "Merson off in Villa win". BBC. 22 July 2000. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "James gives Chelsea helping hand". BBC. 27 August 2000. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  12. ↑ "Nilis injury mars Villa win at Ipswich". BBC Sport. 9 September 2000. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  13. ↑ Peter O'Rourke. "Nilis making good progress". Sky Sports. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  14. ↑ "Nilis feared amputation". BBC Sport. 11 November 2000. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  15. 1 2 3 "Luc Nilis". BBC Sport. 14 May 2000. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  16. ↑ "Luc Nilis joins PSV's backroom team". PSV.nl. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "Luc Nilis gaat als hoofdcoach aan de slag bij lagereklasser SV Belisia". sporza.be (in Dutch). 29 August 2021.
  18. ↑ "AA Gent heeft geen kind aan het Belisia Bilzen van Nilis en stoot vlot door". sporza.be (in Dutch). 27 October 2021.
  19. ↑ LUC NILIS SPITSENTRAINER TALENT ACADEMY, krcgenk.be, 10 March 2022
  20. ↑ "Luc Nilis maakt de overstap van Racing Genk naar Patro Eisden". Sporza (in Dutch). 7 June 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  21. ↑ Chris Mayer (4 July 2011). "Belgian Legends – Luc Nilis". The Belgian Waffle. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  22. ↑ "Interview Arne Nilis: "Ik stond met gokken op en ging er mee naar bed"". casinonieuws.nl (in Dutch). 7 April 2023.
  23. ↑ "Sabatina da Folha com Ronaldo - Íntegra".
  24. ↑ "Top 100 beste voetballers van PSV aller tijden". dutchmultimedia.nl (in Dutch). 6 February 2022.
  25. ↑ "Voici votre onze de légende d'Anderlecht: sans surprise, Vincent Kompany et Robby Resenbrink les plus plébiscités". dhnet.be (in French). 1 June 2020.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Luc Nilis at National-Football-Teams.com
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Luc Nilis » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  28. ↑ "Luc Nilis, international footballer".
  29. 1 2 "Football-The Story | Luc Nilis".
  30. ↑ "European Competitions 1989-90".
  31. ↑ "Winnaars Brugse Metten".
  32. ↑ "Netherlands Cup Finals".
  33. ↑ "Luc Nilis, icoon van paars-wit".
  34. ↑ "Luc Nilis vertelt zijn waarheid, maar houdt de regie".
  35. ↑ "Palmares Profvoetballer van het Jaar". 11 May 2008.
  36. ↑ "Eredivisie 1995-1996". 9 March 2020.
  37. ↑ "Eredivisie 1996-1997". 9 March 2020.
  38. ↑ "Geëmotioneerde Nilis krijgt alsnog unieke hulde". Gazet van Antwerpen (in Flemish). 31 January 2001. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  39. ↑ "Het beste PSV ooit: onze experts kiezen de beste elf spelers".
  40. ↑ "La Dernière Heure | Het Beste Elftal Aller Tijden".
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