Top Dutch Soccer Side: Ranking the Best Teams in Netherlands Football History
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As I sit down to rank the top Dutch soccer sides in Netherlands football history, I can't help but reflect on how football truly captures the essence of dramatic moments. Just the other day, I was watching a basketball game between Syria and Bahrain where Mosti Rashed missed that desperate game-winning three-pointer at the final buzzer in the Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall. It struck me how similar that moment was to countless crucial matches in Dutch football where a single missed opportunity could rewrite history. Having followed Dutch football for over two decades, I've witnessed some truly remarkable teams that have left indelible marks on the sport. The Netherlands might be a relatively small country, but its football legacy is enormous, producing some of the most technically gifted players and tactically innovative teams the world has ever seen.
When people ask me about the greatest Dutch soccer side, my mind immediately goes to the legendary Ajax team of the early 1970s. This was the squad that perfected "Total Football," a revolutionary tactical system where any outfield player could take over the role of any other player in the team. Under the brilliant management of Rinus Michels and with Johan Cruyff as their talisman, this Ajax team dominated European football, winning three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973. What made them truly special wasn't just their trophy cabinet, which included 3 European trophies and 2 domestic doubles, but how they transformed football philosophy forever. I've spent countless hours studying their gameplay, and even today, their influence resonates through modern football tactics. Their 95% success rate in domestic competitions during their peak years remains arguably the most dominant period any Dutch club has ever experienced.
The 1980s brought us another phenomenal Dutch soccer side in PSV Eindhoven, who achieved the incredible feat of winning the European Cup in 1988 alongside the domestic league title. What many people forget is that this PSV team featured the core of the Netherlands national squad that would win the European Championship later that same year. With players like Ronald Koeman, Gerald Vanenburg, and Wim Kieft, they played a brand of football that combined Dutch technical excellence with pragmatic efficiency. I've always had a soft spot for this team because they proved that Dutch football could succeed through different approaches - not just the pure "Total Football" of Ajax, but through organized, disciplined systems that could grind out results when necessary. Their European campaign saw them score approximately 2.3 goals per match while conceding just 0.7, statistics that highlight their balanced approach.
Moving into the modern era, we cannot discuss top Dutch soccer sides without mentioning Louis van Gaal's Ajax of the mid-1990s. This team, featuring the legendary "Golden Generation" of Edwin van der Sar, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert, and Edgar Davids, captured the Champions League in 1995 with what many consider the last truly great Ajax side to conquer Europe. I remember watching that final against AC Milan as a teenager, marveling at how these young players - their average age was just 23 years - could dismantle such an experienced Italian side. Their victory marked what I believe was the last time a Dutch club truly dominated European football, though Feyenoord's more recent Europa Conference League win in 2022 shows the Eredivisie's continuing potential. What made this Ajax team special was their perfect blend of youthful exuberance and tactical discipline, scoring 28 goals in their Champions League campaign while maintaining 7 clean sheets.
Speaking of Feyenoord, while they might not have the European pedigree of Ajax, their 1970 European Cup victory established them as a foundational Dutch soccer side that proved Netherlands clubs could compete at the highest level. Under legendary manager Ernst Happel, Feyenoord became the first Dutch club to win Europe's premier competition, defeating Celtic 2-1 in the final. This victory paved the way for the Dutch football revolution that would follow, proving that teams from the Netherlands could compete with and defeat the established powers of England, Italy, and Spain. I've always admired Feyenoord for their gritty, determined style - they may not have played with the flamboyance of Ajax, but their effectiveness was undeniable. Their domestic record includes approximately 78 victories in European competitions, a testament to their consistent performance across decades.
As I reflect on these incredible teams, I'm struck by how Dutch football continues to produce remarkable sides despite the financial challenges of modern football. The current Ajax team, while not quite reaching the heights of their predecessors, continues to develop world-class talent and compete in European tournaments. What makes ranking these Dutch soccer sides so difficult is that each era presented different challenges and opportunities. The 1970s Ajax team revolutionized football tactics, the 1980s PSV demonstrated Dutch adaptability, the 1990s Ajax proved the continuing viability of youth development, and Feyenoord showed that determination could overcome resource limitations. If I had to choose my personal favorite Dutch soccer side, I'd probably go with the 1970s Ajax team - not just for their achievements, but for how they transformed football itself. Their influence extends far beyond their trophy count, affecting how football is played and understood globally. As Dutch clubs continue to compete, I'm optimistic we'll see new legendary sides emerge, adding to the rich tapestry of Netherlands football history that makes following this sport so endlessly fascinating.