A rebel with responsibility - Edgar Davids
World Soccer - January 1999
One of Frank Rijkaard's first acts on becoming coach of Holland's national team was to appoint Edgar Davids as vice-captain, under Frank De Boer. The decision seemed illogical, looking at recent history.
Juventus midfielder Davids - nicknamed 'The Rottweiler' for his tenacious performances in central midfield - was sent home from the 1996 European Championship after criticising the cash, Guss Hiddink, and was not recalled until just before the World Cup. He had an outstanding tournament, but a number of incidents and critical articles meant that his relationship with the Dutch media was far from ideal, to say the least.
Rijkaard, however, ignored all that. "I'm not looking at the past," he said. "The future is what matters. My decision is based on Edgar's role on the pitch. He is a player who takes command. Now he has to demonstrate that he can be a leader off the field as well. I'm confident he can do it."
World Soccer : How did your election to vice-captain come about?
Edgar Davids : The coach asked me if I would be available. I spent a couple of days thinking about it, because it has disadvantages as well as advantages. It was important to me that my team-mates agreed with the decision. They did - and it's a great honour, of course. But most of all it's a confirmation of my mentality, how I think about the game.
Your new role also involves talking to the Dutch press, a thing you haven't done for a long time.
Everyone has an opinion - I don't mind that. But I don't like it when people express themselves in an indiscriminate way. If they try to damage people, then they are not fit for the job of journalist. I believe journalist should be objective, but not all of them are. From now on I'll only deal with professionals, people who take their job seriously.
Looking back to the period between Euro 96 and France 98, wasn't your absence from the team and your press boycott a waste of time?
No. It had to be that way. But when we came back from France I decided to end the whole thing. It was time to move on.
Holland stunned the world with their attacking football in the World Cup.
I have a great feeling every time I recall the World Cup, although it was so disappointing to be eliminated (by Brazil) on penalties. The atmosphere was fantastic and we were in a good spell of form. We proved we can handle pressure.
What was THE highlight of all the highlights?
Two - my goal against Yugolsavia [a last-minute winner], and stealing the ball from Ronaldo just when he thought he was going to score.
You had a great personal success in the tournament, but statistics show that you committed more fouls than any other player. Some experts say far too many.
You shouldn't exaggerate. Look at the kind of fouls they were. Big or small? Professional fouls? Tactical fouls? Look at the pictures, then look at the statistics again. If you want to be guided by the figures, go ahead. For me they are worthless. A lot of players don't score goals or don't produce assists. According to the statistics, that means they can't play football.
How did the Italian press react to Holland's performances?
They were generally enthusiastic. Before the tournament I said that Holland would have a good run, and not everybody believed me. Afterwards they had to admit I had been right. But for me the World Cup is closed. Euro 2000 is what matters now, in international terms.
You were selected for the Team of the Tournament. How did you feel about that?
That's just somebody's opinion. What's the use of it? In the end it means nothing. I would rather have won the World Cup.
What's the difference between playing for Juventus, one of the best club teams in the world, and a national team?
They have different coaches and different tactical systems. Zidane and Deschamps at Juve are world champions as well as club champions. But every player selected for a national team goes home having absorbed useful experiences.
Why have Juventus been struggling a bit this season?
I don't know. A lot of players haven't reached their usual level yet. Whether or not the World Cup had something to do with it or not, we'll find out in due course. Certainly the Italian League is even tougher than before. Clubs have spent millions to buy new players.
You aren't suffering, are you?
I don't think I'm playing too badly. Fortunately, being a midfielder, mistakes do not show up so clearly. If you're a striker, it's different.
Holland will start the Euro 2000 finals under a man with no coaching experience until this season. What's your opinion on that?
I hadn't expected Frank Rijkaard to be the new national coach, but I'm very happy for him. His name is well known, and everywhere we go people have the greatest respect for him. His lack of experience won't be a problem. He has vision and ideas, and obviously learned a lot from his former coaches [including Johan Cruyff, Arrigo Sacchi, Rinus Michels and Louis Van Gaal]. Rijkaard certainly has the ability to become a good coach.
Holland do not have to qualify, as a host nation, so you will not play any competitive matches until the finals in 2000. Is that a disadvantage?
I don't think so. We're one step ahead of the rest. We can start our preparations, try new players, new tactics.
And Holland will be the team to beat...
Of course. Everybody will be watching us critically because we had a good World Cup and everybody expects a good continuation of that. It's up to us.
EDGAR DAVIDS - LIFE AND TIMES
March 13, 1973 - Born in Paramaibo, Surinam.
September 8, 1991 - Makes his debut for Ajax against Waalwijk (5-1)
May 1992 - Ajax win the UEFA Cup, beating Torino on away goals, with Davids often used as a substitute.
May 1995 - Ajax win the Dutch Championship and Cup and the European Cup, beating Milan 1-0.
November 28, 1995 - Ajax win World Club Championship, beating Gremio on penalties.
May 22, 1996 - Ajax win Dutch League again but lose Champions Cup Final to Juventus, Davids missing a penalty in the shootout.
June 1996 - Goes to European Championship in England but is sent home after criticising coach Guus Hiddink.
September 1996 - Moves from Ajax, where he had become out of contract, and joins Milan.
February 23, 1997 - Breaks a leg in a game against Perugia and is out of action for six months.
May 1998 - Plays a vital role as Juventus win the championship, but they lose the Champions Cup Final to Real Madrid.
June 1998 - Restored to Holland squad and has an outstanding World Cup. The Dutch finish fourth, but may well not have done so without Davids' industry and inspiration.
October 1998 - Named as national vice-captain.
