 Meulensteen in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Reinhard Jozef Petrus Meulensteen[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1964-03-25)25 March 1964 (age 61)[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Beugen, Netherlands[2] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| VIOS '38 | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1982–1983 | VIOS '38 | ||
| 1983–1988 | RKVV Volharding | ||
| 1988–1989 | VIOS '38 | ||
| 1989–1991 | De Treffers | ||
| 1991–1993 | N.E.C. | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1990–1993 | NEC (youth) | ||
| 1993–1999 | Qatar U18 | ||
| 1999–2000 | Al-Ittihad | ||
| 2000–2001 | Al-Sadd | ||
| 2001–2006 | Manchester United Youth | ||
| 2005–2006 | Manchester United Reserves | ||
| 2006–2007 | Brøndby | ||
| 2007–2013 | Manchester United (first-team coach) | ||
| 2013 | Anzhi Makhachkala (assistant) | ||
| 2013 | Anzhi Makhachkala | ||
| 2013–2014 | Fulham | ||
| 2016–2017 | Maccabi Haifa | ||
| 2017–2018 | Kerala Blasters | ||
| 2018–2024 | Australia (assistant) | ||
| 2025– | Iraq (assistant) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Reinhard Jozef Petrus "René" Meulensteen (born 25 March 1964) is a Dutch formerfootballer and coach who is assistant coach of theIraq national football team.[3] He spent the early parts of his career working in the Netherlands before taking up managerial roles with the Qatari youth team, as well as clubsAl-Ittihad andAl-Sadd. He then spent 12 years, split either side of a year stint atBrøndby, withPremier League sideManchester United in various non-managerial capacities. Following his departure from the club in 2013, Meulensteen was in charge for short spells atAnzhi Makhachkala,Fulham andMaccabi Haifa.
While still playing, Meulensteen became a youth coach atNEC.[4]
In June 2006, he signed a three-year contract withDanish clubBrøndby to become manager of the club, but resigned after six months.[5]
On 18 January 2007, Meulensteen rejoined Manchester United as technical skills development coach mainly to work with the first team. After the departure in July 2008 of their assistant manager,Carlos Queiroz toPortugal as theirnational team manager, Meulensteen took over as first team coach, withMike Phelan being promoted to assistant manager. Both assumed their new roles on 13 August 2008.[6]
During his time as first-team coach, he helped Sir Alex Ferguson secure thePremier League title in2008–09,2010–11 and2012–13; theCommunity Shield in2008,2010,2011, theLeague Cup in2008–09 and2009–10; the UEFA Champions League in2007–08 andFIFA Club World Cup in2008.
Manchester United confirmed his departure from the club on 26 June 2013, after incoming managerDavid Moyes decided to bring in his own coaching team.[7]
On 1 July 2013, Meulensteen signed a contract withAnzhi Makhachkala, joiningGuus Hiddink as an assistant coach.[8] Hiddink left Anzhi after only two games into the 2013–14 Russian Premier League season, allowing Meulensteen to step up to head coach.[9] After 16 days in charge, Meulensteen was sacked and replaced byGadzhi Gadzhiyev.[10]
Meulensteen returned to England in November 2013 to take up a coaching position underMartin Jol atFulham.[11] Less than three weeks later, Jol was sacked by Fulham after five consecutive league defeats, with Meulensteen taking over as manager.[12] His first match as Fulham manager was a 2–1 loss toTottenham Hotspur on 4 December, whereAshkan Dejagah scored the only goal for Meulensteen's side. Fulham won their first match under Meulensteen days later on 8 December, beatingAston Villa 2–0 with goals fromSteve Sidwell andDimitar Berbatov. On 14 February 2014, Fulham hiredFelix Magath to replace Meulensteen as manager, sacking Meulensteen four days later.[13]
In November 2014, he was hired as a consultant by thePhiladelphia Union fromMajor League Soccer.[14]
On 9 August 2016, Meulensteen was presented as head coach byMaccabi Haifa[15] fromIsraeli Premier League. His appointment lasted just over six months, and then resigned as head coach on 13 February 2017.[16]
On 14 July 2017, Meulensteen was appointed as head coach ofIndian Super League sideKerala Blasters.[17] The club parted ways with Meulensteen after poor start of the season. He resigned as head coach on 2 January 2018.[18]
Meulensteen served as an assistant coach withAustralia from 2018 to 2024.[19][20]
Meulensteen's daughterPien is a television presenter and reporter in the UK,[21] whilst his sonMelle is also a footballer.
Al-Ittihad[22]
Al-Sadd[22]
Man United Reserves[22]
