Also as coaches, Advocaat and Van Marwijk have often competed against each other. Three times, to be exact. For the first time in September 1997, with PSV (Advocaat) against Fortuna Sittard (Van Marwijk). PSV won that Eredivisie game 3-2 and later that season also triumphed in Sittard (2-1).
In 2005, Advocaat and Van Marwijk met in the Bundesliga, as trainers of Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund. Result: 1-1.
Many similarities
The long careers of the 74-year-old Advocaat and the 69-year-old Van Marwijk have more in common. For example, they were both coaches of Feyenoord, they both won the UEFA Cup and they were in charge of the Dutch national team for many years.
Advocaat was even, just like Van Marwijk now, national coach of the Emirates – although that adventure only lasted a few months in 2005.
Now they are undeniably in the fall of their football career. It is unclear whether they can be active as a trainer again at the World Cup. In any case, a crucial duel awaits tonight.
