Dennis Bergkamp

Personal information
Full name	Dennis Nicolaas Bergkamp[1]
Date of birth	(1969-05-10) 10 May 1969 (age 43)
Place of birth	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position	Second striker
Youth career
1981–1986	Ajax
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1986–1993	Ajax	185	(103)
1993–1995	Internazionale	52	(11)
1995–2006	Arsenal	315	(87)
Total		648	(234)
National team
1990–2000	Netherlands	79	(37)
Teams managed
2011–	Ajax (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Dennis Nicolaas Bergkamp (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdɛnɪs ˈbɛrχkɑmp] ( listen); born 10 May 1969) is a Dutch former professional footballer who is the assistant manager to Frank de Boer at Ajax. Originally a wide midfielder and subsequently a main striker, he was deployed as a second striker, where he remained throughout his playing career. Bergkamp has been described by Jan Mulder as having "the finest technique" of any Dutch international and a "dream for a striker" by teammate Thierry Henry.^[2][3]

The son of an electrician, Bergkamp was born in Amsterdam and played as an amateur in the lower leagues. He was spotted by Ajax at the age of 11 and made his professional debut in 1986. Good form led to an international call-up a year later, attracting the attention of several European clubs. Bergkamp signed for Italian club Internazionale in 1993 where he had two disappointing seasons, before joining Arsenal in 1995. It was at Arsenal where Bergkamp rejuvenated his career, helping the club to win three Premier League titles, four FA Cup trophies and reach the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final, which marked his last appearance as a player. With the Netherlands national team, Bergkamp surpassed Faas Wilkes's record to become the Netherlands' top goalscorer of all time in 1998, later surpassed by Patrick Kluivert.

Bergkamp was selected by Pele as one of the FIFA 100 greatest living players and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in his generation. In 2007, he was inducted into the FIFA Hall of Fame, the first and so far only Dutch player ever to receive such honour. Bergkamp has also finished third in the FIFA World Player of the Year award twice. Due to his fear of flying, Bergkamp has been affectionately nicknamed the Non-Flying Dutchman by Arsenal supporters.^[4]

Early life[link]

Born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Bergkamp was the last of Wim and Tonnie Bergkamp's four sons.^[5][6] He was brought up in a working-class suburb, in a family aspiring to reach middle class status.^[6] His father, an electrician and amateur footballer in the lower leagues, named him in honour of Scottish striker Denis Law.^[7] To comply with Dutch given name customs, an extra 'n' was inserted in Bergkamp's first name by his father after it was not accepted by the registrar.^[8] Bergkamp was raised as a Catholic by his family and regularly attended church during his childhood.^[9] Although in later years he commented that the visits to church did not appeal to him, Bergkamp still maintains his faith.^[9]

Club career[link]

Ajax: 1986–1993[link]

Bergkamp was brought up through Ajax's famous youth system, joining the club at age 11.^[6] He was given his professional debut by manager Johan Cruyff on 14 December 1986 against Roda JC; the game ended in a 2–0 victory for Ajax.^[10] Bergkamp scored his first senior goal for the club against HFC Haarlem on 22 February 1987, in a match where Ajax won 6–0.^[11] He went on to make 23 appearances in the 1986–87 season, including a European debut against Malmö FF in the 1986–87 European Cup Winners' Cup, earning him praise.^[6] Ajax went on to win the competition, beating Lokomotive Leipzig 1–0, with Bergkamp making an appearance as a substitute.^[12]

In later seasons, Bergkamp established himself as a first team player for Ajax. This culminated in a period of success at the club, winning the Eredivisie title in the 1989–90 season, for the first time in five years. Bergkamp scored 29 goals in 36 games the following season and became the joint top goalscorer in the league, sharing the accolade with PSV Eindhoven striker Romário. Ajax won the 1992 UEFA Cup Final, beating Torino through the away goals ruling and defeated SC Heerenveen 6–2, in the final of the KNVB Cup on 20 May 1993.^[13][14] From 1991 to 1993, Bergkamp was top scorer in the Eredivisie, and he was voted Dutch Footballer of the Year in 1992 and 1993.^[15] In total, he scored 122 goals in 239 games for his hometown club.

Internazionale: 1993–1995[link]

Bergkamp attracted the attention of several European clubs as a result of his performances for Ajax. Cruyff advised him not to join Real Madrid – one of the teams said to have been interested in the footballer, but Bergkamp was insistent on playing in Italy.^[16][17] He considered Serie A "the biggest league at the time" and held a preference on a move to either Juventus or Internazionale.^[17] On 16 February 1993, Bergkamp agreed a £7.1 million move to the latter club in a deal which included his Ajax team-mate, Wim Jonk.^[18] Upon signing, Bergkamp said, "Inter met all my demands. The most important thing for me was the stadium, the people at the club and their style of play."^[18]

Bergkamp made his debut against Reggiana on 29 August 1993 at the San Siro in a 2–1 victory.^[19] He scored his first goal for the club against Cremonese in September 1993 but found it difficult against the highly organised and resolute Italian defences, scoring a further seven goals in the league. This was partly due to manager Osvaldo Bagnoli's inability to find a stable forward partnership, preferring Bergkamp in a three with Uruguayan Rubén Sosa and Italian Salvatore Schillaci.^[20] Internazionale's poor league form cultimated in the sacking of Bagnoli in February 1994, who was replaced by Giampiero Marini, a member of Italy's World Cup winning squad of 1982.^[21] The club finished 13th in Serie A – one point away from relegation but enjoyed success in the UEFA Cup, beating FC Salzburg in the final over two-legs.^[22] Bergkamp was the competition's joint top goalscorer with eight goals, notably scoring a hat-trick against Rapid Bucureşti in the first round.^[23]

In Bergkamp's second season at Internazionale, the club changed its managerial position for a further time, appointing Ottavio Bianchi. Bergkamp endured a disappointing campaign, troubled with stress injuries and fatigue from the 1994 World Cup. He managed to score five goals in 26 appearances. Off the field, Bergkamp's relationship with the Italian press and fans became uncomfortable. His shy persona, often preferring to go home after matches was mistakenly interpreted for apathy.^[24] Because of his poor displays on the pitch, one Italian publication renamed their award given to the worst performance of the week, L'asino della settimana (Donkey of the Week) to Bergkamp della settimana.^[17][25] Internazionale ended the league season in sixth position and failed to retain the UEFA Cup, being eliminated in the second round. In February 1995, the club was purchased by Italian businessman and fan Massimo Moratti, who promised to invest heavily in the squad.^[26] Bergkamp's future in the first team remained uncertain following the signing of Maurizio Ganz a month after the takeover.^[27]

Arsenal: 1995–2006[link]

Bergkamp in action for Arsenal

Unsettled in Italy and with Moratti prepared to make wholesale changes at the club, Bergkamp left Internazionale and signed for Arsenal in June 1995 for a transfer fee estimated at £7.5 million.^[28] He became manager Bruce Rioch's first signing at Arsenal and broke the club's transfer fee record set at £2.5 million.^[28] Bergkamp's arrival at the club was significant, not only as he was an established international footballer who looked to have his best years ahead of him but because he was a major contributor to Arsenal's return to success after much decline in the mid-1990s. On the opening day of the 1995–96 league season, Bergkamp made his full debut against Middlesbrough. He evidently struggled to adapt to the English game and having failed to score in the club's next five league matches, Bergkamp was subject to ridicule by the national press. On 23 September 1995, Bergkamp scored his first and subsequently second goals for Arsenal against Southampton at Highbury.^[29] Bergkamp ended his first season with 33 appearances and an goal tally of 11, helping Arsenal finish fifth and earn a place in the UEFA Cup by scoring the winner against Bolton on the final day of the season.^[30]

The appointment of Arsène Wenger as Arsenal manager in September 1996 marked a turning point in Bergkamp's career.^[31] Wenger, who had moderate success coaching in France and Japan recognised Bergkamp's talent and wanted to use him as a fulcrum to the team's forward play.^[31] Both were advocates of a continental style of attacking football and Wenger's decision to impose a strict fitness and health regime pleased the footballer.^[31] Despite making fewer appearances in the 1996–97 season, Bergkamp was more influential in the first team—creating 13 assists. Against Tottenham Hotspur in November 1996, he set up the 88th minute winner for captain Tony Adams to head-in and scored into injury time—controlling the high ball with his left foot and evading his marker Stephen Carr in a tight area to set himself up to shoot.^[32] Bergkamp received his first red card against Sunderland in January 1997 for a high tackle on midfielder Paul Bracewell in the 26th minute.^[33] Arsenal went on to lose the match 1–0, but a run of eight wins in their final 16 matches ensured the club finished third, missing out on a spot in the UEFA Champions League via goal difference.^[34]

Bergkamp the following season was instrumental in helping Arsenal complete a domestic league and cup double. He became the club's top goal-scorer with 22 goals and impressively recorded a strike rate of 0.57 in the league. Arsenal's achievement was all the more astonishing given that the team—written off by many in December 1997, had made ground on reigning division champions Manchester United.^[35][36] Early in the season away to Leicester City at Filbert Street on 23 August 1997, Bergkamp scored his first hat-trick for the club.^[37] The third goal, regarded as his favourite for Arsenal^[38] required just one touch to control the ball in the penalty box, another to flick it past his marker Matt Elliott before juggling the ball with his feet and shooting past goalkeeper Kasey Keller. After the match, Leicester manager Martin O'Neill was gracious enough to admit that Bergkamp's was "the best hat-trick I've ever seen".^[39] In an FA Cup quarter-final replay against West Ham United on 17 March 1998, Bergkamp was sent off for elbowing midfielder Steve Lomas and missed three matches due to suspension.^[40] He played no further part in Arsenal's season after overstretching his hamstring against Derby County on 29 April 1998, missing the FA Cup final.^[41] Bergkamp was consoled with the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, becoming only the second foreign player to be recognised by his fellow professionals as the outstanding performer in English football.^[42]

After an effective 1998 World Cup campaign with the national team, Bergkamp had another productive season in 1998–99. Although Arsenal failed to retain the Premier League – being beaten on the final day of the season by Manchester United, Bergkamp was the club's second top-goalscorer with 16 goals in all competitions. The team were also defeated in a FA Cup semi-final replay – their best chance of silverware, against Manchester United in April 1999.^[43] With the score 1–1 heading into injury time, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after midfielder Ray Parlour was brought down by Phil Neville inside the 18-yard box. Bergkamp, who stepped up to take the penalty saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. In the second-half of extra time Ryan Giggs scored the winner; a goal regarded by many as the greatest in the competition's history.^[43][44][45]

1999–2000 proved to be a frustrating season for both Arsenal and Bergkamp. The club finished second in the league, 18 points behind Manchester United and lost in the UEFA Cup final to Turkish opponents Galatasaray on penalties.^[46] The departure of compatriot Marc Overmars and French midfielder Emmanuel Petit in the close season led to speculation over Bergkamp's future.^[47] He ultimately agreed terms over a contract extension in December 2000.^[48] Despite an array of new signings made in the 2000–01 season, Arsenal were runners-up in the league for a third year in succession.^[49] The emergence of Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord as the main strikers saw Bergkamp's first-team opportunities limited as a result. He was used as a late substitute in Liverpool's win over Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup final.^[50]

Success would finally come in the 2001–02 season. Arsenal regained the league, beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the penultimate game of the season to complete the club's second double under Wenger; Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2–0 to win the FA Cup four days prior.^[52] Bergkamp featured in 33 league matches, setting up 15 goals—one of which against Juventus in the second group stage of the Champions League. Holding off two markers, he twisted and turned before feeding the ball to Freddie Ljungberg in the penalty box to score.^[53] Bergkamp headed in the winner against Liverpool in a FA Cup fourth-round tie on 27 January 2002 but was shown a red card for a two-footed lunge on defender Jamie Carragher, who himself was sent off for throwing a coin in the crowd.^[54] He was subsequently banned for three matches (two league, one FA Cup round)^[55] and made his league return against Newcastle United on 3 March 2002. Early in the match, Arsenal midfielder Robert Pirès played a low pass from the left flank to Bergkamp in the edge of the opponent area with his back to goal. Under pressure from his marker Nikos Dabizas, Bergkamp controlled the ball with one flick and went around the other side before placing the ball precisely into the bottom right-hand corner and score. Wenger described the goal as "unbelievable",^[56] adding "It was not only a magnificent goal but a very important one – I enjoyed it a lot".^[56] Bergkamp would feature in nine out of the last ten league games, forming a special partnership with Ljungberg.^[57]

Bergkamp reached a personal landmark during the 2002–03 season, scoring his 100th goal for Arsenal against Oxford United in a FA Cup third-round tie on 4 January 2003.^[58][59] In the league, Arsenal failed to retain the championship having led by eight points in March 2003.^[60] They did however win the FA Cup for a second successive year, beating Southampton in the final.^[61] On 20 July 2003, Bergkamp signed a one-year extension at the club.^[62] 2003–04 ended on a high point for Bergkamp as Arsenal reclaimed the league title, becoming the first English team in more than a century to go through the entire domestic league season unbeaten. Against Leicester City in the final league match of the campaign with the score tied at 1–1, Bergkamp set up the winner; providing a slide-rule pass to captain Patrick Vieira who rounded the goalkeeper and scored.^[63] The team, dubbed The Invincibles^[63] did not achieve similar dominance in Europe; Arsenal were beaten by Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League over two legs.^[64] Bergkamp committed himself to Arsenal at the end of the season, signing a further extension to his contract.^[65]

The Emirates Stadium filling up during Bergkamp's testimonial match between Arsenal and Ajax in July 2006.

Bergkamp started in 29 league matches in the 2004–05 season but Arsenal's title defence ended unsuccessfully as the team finished second, 12 points behind Chelsea. At home to Middlesbrough on 22 August 2004, Bergkamp deputised as captain for the injured Vieira in a match Arsenal came back from 1–3 down to win 5–3 and equal Nottingham Forest's record of 42 league matches undefeated.^[66] Against Sheffield United in the FA Cup on 19 February 2005, Bergkamp was shown a straight red card by referee Neale Barry for shoving defender Danny Cullip.^[67] His appeal to reverse the decision was rejected by the Football Association meaning that he missed the club's next three domestic games.^[68] In Arsenal's final home match of the season against Everton, Bergkamp produced a man of the match display; scoring once and assisting three of the goals in a 7–0 win.^[69] Bergkamp was moved by the Arsenal supporters chanting "one more year" – implying the club keep him for another season describing it as "quite special", adding "They obviously feel there is another year left in me, so that's great as it shows they're really behind me."^[70] Following Arsenal's penalty shootout victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final, it was revealed he would sign a one-year contract extension.^[71]

In Bergkamp's final season at Arsenal, the team secured fourth position on the final match of the season.^[72] Bergkamp scored an injury-time winner against FC Thun on Matchday 1 of the Champions League, having come on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.^[73] After much campaigning from Arsenal supporters, the club designated one of its Highbury matchday themes (to commemorate the stadium's final season as home of Arsenal) to Dennis Bergkamp.^[74] 'Bergkamp Day', which took place on 15 April 2006 and saw Arsenal up against West Bromwich Albion, celebrated the player's contribution to Arsenal, with fans given commemorative orange 'DB10' t-shirts – the colour of his national team, his initials and his squad number.^[74] Bergkamp himself came on as a second-half substitute and set up the winning Pirès goal, moments after Nigel Quashie had levelled the scoreline. Fittingly Bergkamp's 89th minute goal proved to be his last for Arsenal in competitive football.^[3][75] Bergkamp was an unused substitute in his final match for Arsenal against Barcelona in the Champions League final; Barcelona scored twice in the last 13 minutes to overturn Arsenal's early lead and win the competition.^[76]

Bergkamp had the honour of being the focus of the first match at Arsenal's new ground, the Emirates Stadium. On 22 July 2006, a testimonial was played in his honour at the new stadium, with Arsenal playing his old club Ajax. Bergkamp kicked off the match with his father, Wim, and son, Mitchel. All four children acted as the match's mascots. The first half was played by members of Arsenal and Ajax's current squads, while the second was played by famous ex-players from both sides; such as Ian Wright, Patrick Vieira, Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit and David Seaman for Arsenal, and Marco van Basten, Danny Blind, Johan Cruijff, Frank and Ronald de Boer for Ajax. Arsenal won the match 2–1 with goals from Thierry Henry and Nwankwo Kanu; Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had earlier opened the scoring for Ajax, making him the first goalscorer at the Emirates Stadium.^[77]

International career[link]

Bergkamp lines up prior to a Euro 1996 match against Scotland

Bergkamp made his international debut for the Netherlands national team against Italy on 26 September 1990 as a substitute for Frank de Boer.^[78] He scored his first goal for the team against Greece on 21 November 1990.^[79] Bergkamp was selected for Euro 1992, where his national team were the defending champions. Although Bergkamp impressed – scoring three goals in the tournament, the team lost on penalties to eventual champions Denmark.^[80]

In the qualification for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Bergkamp scored five goals and was selected for the finals, staged in the United States. He featured in every game for the national team, getting goals against Morocco in the group stages and the Republic of Ireland in the round of 16. Bergkamp scored the second goal for the Netherlands against Brazil, but the team lost 3–2, exiting in the quarter-finals.^[81] At Euro 1996, Bergkamp scored against Switzerland and set up striker Patrick Kluivert's consolation goal against England, who advanced into the quarter-finals.^[82][83]

Against Wales in the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification on 9 November 1996, he scored his first hat-trick for the national team.^[84] The Netherlands finished first in their group and qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, held in France. Bergkamp scored three times in the competition, including a memorable winning goal in the final minute of the quarter-final against Argentina. He took one touch to control a long 60-yard aerial pass from Frank de Boer, brought the ball down through Argentine defender Roberto Ayala's legs, and finally finished by firing a volley with the outside of his right foot, past the keeper at a tight angle from the right.^[85] The goal, cited by Bergkamp as his favourite in his career, was his 36th for the national team, overtaking Faas Wilkes as the record goalscorer.^[86] In the semi-finals, the national team lost to Brazil on penalties, after drawing 1–1 in normal time.^[17][87] Dennis Bergkamp made the All-Star team of the tournament, alongside Frank de Boer and Edgar Davids.

On 9 October 1999, Bergkamp scored his final goal for the Netherlands, against Brazil.^[88] As the Netherlands were co-hosts for Euro 2000, the team automatically qualified for the tournament and were considered favourites.^[89] In the semi-finals, the Netherlands lost 3–1 on penalties to Italy.^[90]

Following the defeat, Bergkamp announced his retirement from international football, choosing to focus on his club career.^[91] His final goal tally of 37 goals in 77 appearances was overtaken by Patrick Kluivert in June 2003.^[92]

Coaching career[link]

Upon retiring, Bergkamp insisted he would not move into coaching. He turned down an offer to scout for Arsenal and instead concentrated on travelling and spending time with his family.^[93] However, in April 2008 he began a fast-track coaching diploma for former Dutch international footballers and undertook a trainee role at Ajax.^[93][94] Having completed the Coach Betaald Voetbal course by the KNVB, Bergkamp was appointed assistant to Johan Neeskens for the newly formed Netherlands B team on 26 October 2008.^[95] For the 2008–09 season, Bergkamp returned to Ajax in a formal coaching position with responsibility for the D2 (U12) youth team. Following the promotion of Frank de Boer as manager of Ajax in December 2010, Bergkamp was appointed assistant manager to Fred Grim, dealing with Ajax' flagship A1 (U19) youth team.^[96]

As of August 2011, Bergkamp has been de Boer's assistant at Ajax.^[97]

Personal life[link]

Bergkamp has been married to Henrita Ruizendaal since 16 June 1993.^[98][99] The couple have four children: Estelle Deborah, Mitchel Dennis, Yasmin Naomi and Saffron Rita.^{[99][100][101]} His nephew, Roland Bergkamp currently plays for Brighton & Hove Albion.^[102] During his time at Arsenal, Bergkamp studied mechanical engineering at The University of Bath, graduating with a BSc.

Aerophobia[link]

Bergkamp has the nickname Non-Flying Dutchman due to his fear of flying. This stemmed from an incident with the Netherlands national team at the 1994 World Cup, where the engine of the plane cut out during a flight,^[103] prompting a journalist to joke about having a bomb in his bag.^[104] Following this incident, Bergkamp decided he would never fly again but did consider seeking psychiatric help:

I've got this problem and I have to live with it. I can't do anything about it, it is a psychological thing and I can't explain it. I have not flown on a plane for two years. The Dutch FA has been sympathetic, so have Arsenal, so far. I am considering psychiatric help. I can't fly. I just freeze. I get panicky. It starts the day before, when I can't sleep.^[104]

The condition severely limited his ability to play in away matches in European competitions and to travel with the national team. In some cases, he would travel overland by car or train, but the logistics of some matches were such that he would not travel at all.^[103] In the build up to Arsenal's Champions League match against Lyon in February 2001, Wenger spoke of his concerns for Bergkamp travelling by train and car, because of the exertions involved.^[105]

Style of play[link]

Bergkamp was schooled in Total Football – a playing style and philosophy which relied on the complete versatility of the players who played it. This was primarily to maximise the footballer's potential; trying out every outfield position before finding one that suit them best.^[6] Every age group at Ajax played in the same style and formation as the first team – namely 3–4–3 – to allow individuals to slot in without effort, when moving up the pyramid.^[6] Bergkamp "played in every position apart from goalie" and believed he benefited from the experience of playing as a defender, as it helped him "know how they think and how to beat them".^[6] When he made his debut as a substitute against Roda JC, Bergkamp was positioned on the right wing, where he remained for three years in the team.^[6] During his time at Internazionale, he was switched to a main striker, but failed to cooperate with partner Ruben Sosa, who he later called "selfish".^[6] When Bergkamp joined Arsenal in 1995, he enjoyed a successful strike partnership with Ian Wright, and in later seasons Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry, playing in his preferred position as a second striker. The arrival of Marc Overmars in the 1997–98 season enhanced Bergkamp's play, as he was getting more of the ball – between August and October 1997, he scored seven goals in seven league matches.^[106] A similar rapport was developed between him and Freddie Ljungberg during the 2001–02 season.^[57]

Bergkamp throughout his playing career has been referred to as a 'cheat' and 'dirty player', something his former manager Wenger has refuted.^{[107][108][109]} In an interview with The Times in 2004, he noted that while he was at Internazionale, he realised importance of being mentally tough in order to survive: "A lot of people there try to hurt you, not just physically but mentally as well, and coming from the easygoing culture in Holland, I had to adopt a tougher approach. There, it was a case of two strikers up against four or five hard defenders who would stop at nothing."^[6] Bergkamp cites his aggression often stems from frustration.^[6]

Honours[link]

Club[link]