Newcastle's Premier League Managers Ranked As Players - Worst To Best

4. Ruud Gullit

Newcastle United Manager: 1998-99 Position: Midfielder/Forward Clubs Played For: HFC Haarlem (1979-1982), Feyenoord (1982-85), PSV Eindhoven (1985-87), AC Milan (1987-93 and 1994-95), Sampdoria (1993-94 and 1994-95), Chelsea (1995-98) League Appearances (Goals): 465 (175) International Side (Caps/Goals): Holland (65/17) Honours (As A Player): 1983-84 Eredivisie Title (Feyenoord); 1984 KNVB Cup (Feyenoord), 1985-85 and 1986-87 Eredivisie Title (PSV Eindhoven); 1987-88, 1991-92 and 1992-93 Serie A Title (AC Milan); 1988, 1992 and 1994 Supercoppa Italiana (AC Milan); 1989 and 1990 European Cup (AC Milan); 1989 and 1990 UEFA Super Cup (AC Milan); 1989 and 1990 Intercontinental Cup (AC Milan); 1994 Coppa Italian (Sampdoria); 1997 FA Cup (Chelsea); 1988 UEFA European Championship (Holland)

He may have been unable to implement his "sexy football" successfully as manager of Newcastle United - but Ruud Gullit was certainly capable of doing so as a player. During a glittering career that spanned 19 years, Gullit represented the likes of PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Sampdoria and Chelsea - as well as being capped 66 times by Holland. Majestic on the ball, Gullit was usually deployed as an attacking-midfielder - although he could also play as a forward or even as a defender. Named among the top-125 great living footballers during FIFA's 100th anniversary celebration in 2004, Gullit claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1987 and was named World Soccer Player of the Year in the same year (as well as in 1989). Having spent his early career in Holland, Milan paid a world-record transfer fee of £6 million to sign him in 1987 - and he went on to claim two European Cups and three Serie A titles with the club. Gullit also won the 1988 European Championship with Holland - and he is one of the finest players in the history of European football. It's a shame his management of Newcastle was so dire...