Dick Advocaat was born on 27 September, 1947 in the Hague, Netherlands.

The clubs he played for as a defensive midfielder include: ADO Den Haag (since 1971 FC Den Haag) (1969-73), Roda J.C (1973-76), VVV Venlo (1976-79), Chicago Sting in the US (1979/80), Sparta Rotterdam (1980-82), Berchem Sport (Belgium) (1982/83) and FC Utrecht in the Netherlands (1983/84).

Dick Advocaat started his coaching career in the professional football as an assistant to Dutch international coach Rinus Michels. Later on he became a coach of Haarlem, holding in the middle of a Dutch table and S.V.V. that was promoted to the first division of the Netherlands due to his work.

One year before Euro-92 Dick Advocaat came back to the international team as the second coach. Holland reached semi-finals that time, eliminated by Denmark – future winner of the tournament. Rinus Michels left his position, and it was taken by Dick Advocaat. He led the Dutch team to the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup, having been defeated 2:3 by Brazil, finally winning this competition.

After unlucky start in the Euro-96 Advocaat left international head coach position to Guus Hidding and moved to PSV (Eindhoven) and led the club to its Dutch champion title, as well as made them Dutch Cup holders. He continued his coaching career in Scotland, where he successfully reclaimed the Scottish Premier League crown, with his first season in charge culminating with a spectacular treble achievement (two cup victories, as well as the league).

He rejoined the national team set-up following Louis van Gaal`s failure to take the national team to the 2002 World Cup in November 2002 and presided over the Netherlands, having reached Euro 2004 semi-final, where his team was beaten by Portuguese hosts. After this match he left his position and took up club work, heading Borussia Monchengladbach.

In July 2005, he took a job as coach of United Arab Emirates, but quit in September to take over South Korea`s national team for 2006 World Cup preparation.

He took over Zenit since July 2006. His first match took place at 06.07.2006 against FC Dinamo Moscow (0:0).

Career

1981 – 1984- D.V.S.P Netherlands

1984 – 1987 - Netherlands national team

1987- 1989 - Haarlem (Haarlem, Nerherlands)

1989 - 1992 - S.V. V Dordreht, Netherlands

1992 – 1993 - Netherlands national team (Rinus Michels assistant)

1993 – 1995 - Netherlands national team

1995 - 1998 PSV "Eindhoven"

1998 – 2002 - Glasgow Rangers, Scotland (2002- technical director)

2002 - 2004 – Netherlands national team

2004 -2005 – Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany

2005 - UAE national team

2005 – 2006 - Korean national team

From July 2006 – FC Zenit St.Petersburg coach



Major achievements as a player:

Dutch bronze champion 1970/71



Major achievements as a coach:

Owner of the Holland Cup 1995/1996

Dutch Champion 1996/1997

Owner of the Holland Super Cup 1996/ 1997

Champion of Scotland 1998/1999 and 1999/2000

Owner of the Scotland Cup League 1998/1999

Prizewinner of the European Championship 1992 and 2004

Participant of the World Championship 1994 and 2006.