I LOOK BARC IN ANGER I wished I had played in the Prem after leaving Nou Camp. I almost signed for Spurs, but still wanted to win trophies
PHILLIP COCU had a glittering, trophy-laden career as a player.
The new Derby boss won four Eredivisie titles and the KNVB Cup, the Dutch equivalent of the FA Cup, twice during his days with PSV Eindhoven.
And when his contract expired, the biggest teams on the continent – including Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus and Lazio – were all keen to sign him.
He chose Barcelona (right) – then managed by fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal – that summer of 1998.
And the midfield partnership he formed with Luis Figo and Pep Guardiola played a major part in their march to the La Liga title the following season. Cocu went on to play more than 200 games for Barca and, by the time he retired, he had 101 caps for Holland.
He remains one of only eight centurions in Oranje history.
But, in spite of those achievements, the Rams chief admits there is still one big regret from his playing days.
Cocu said: “As a player, I was close to a transfer to England three times. I had to say no or the two clubs could not sort things out at the time.
“I was playing for my first club Vitesse Arnhem when Arsenal came for me.
“Then, halfway through my career, when I was about to sign a new contract at Barcelona, there was a second chance.
“But, in both cases, the clubs could not agree. The third time a Premier League club wanted me was when I left Barcelona in 2004. I had to choose between a club in England who could not play for the league title and PSV Eindhoven.
“That club was Tottenham Hotspur, but my hunger to win more trophies made me decide not to choose them.
“I am lucky to have had a fabulous career but, when I look back, I do regret that I never played in the Premier League. Not because I feel something is lacking, as
October 29, 1970 (48) Place: Eindhoven
Position: Midfielder
AZ Alkmaar Vitesse Arnhem PSV Eindhoven Barcelona
PSV Eindhoven Holland
50 137 95 205 94 101
8 25 31 31 23 10 far as ambitions were concerned, but I just love the culture of English football.
“I am in the middle of this football culture now I’m here at Derby and it is fantastic.’’
Cocu earned his stripes in coaching with the youngsters at PSV, and as a ssist a n t to national team chief Bert van Marwijk. He was o f f e r ed the chance to take charge of PSV’s first
team full-time but initially turned it down to continue his education with the youngsters, before agreeing to step up in 2013.
His time in charge produced three more Eredivisie titles for the club and another KNVB Cup and he gained a reputation for promoting young talent, such as Memphis Depay.
A disappointing spell in charge of Fenerbahce followed, but that didn’t stop Derby chief Mel Morris recruiting him to replace Frank Lampard. And after an uncertain Rams start, he said: “At PSV, I loved working with young talent, but now I have to come up with results.”