Table of Contents
The Journey of Martin Jol:
From a Young Footballer to an Esteemed Manager
J.A.C.
1964-1971
Martin Jol began his football journey at the young age of six. Alongside his brother, Cornelis, and a friend, Mick Kok, they decided to join a local club, SV35. However, a wrong turn led them to the gates of J.A.C., a different club, where a man at the entrance suggested they join instead. They took his advice, registered immediately, and never looked back. It was here that Martin found his passion for football and his journey began.
National Youth Teams
1971-1973
Martin jol has played more than 30 games for the Dutch National teams and his professional career started when he was selected for the Dutch UEFA Youth Team (16-18 years). One of his finest memories as a youngster is playing against the England schoolteam at Wembley stadium.
ADO Den Haag Youth
1971-1973
Youth at ADO Den Haag (Ages 15-17):
At the age of 15, Martin joined the youth academy of ADO in his hometown, The Hague, marking the beginning of a more serious phase in his football career. He quickly rose through the ranks, earning spots on both county and national teams. By the age of 16, he was already making an impact with ADO Den Haag’s reserve team. His rapid development attracted interest from major Dutch clubs, including FC Twente and Feyenoord, who both offered him contracts worth 30 times more than ADO’s offer of 72,000 guilders per season. Martin was part of what many considered the best Under-18 team in Dutch history, with 10 out of the 11 players from that squad eventually signing professional contracts with ADO Den Haag.
F.C. Den Haag
1973–1978
FC Den Haag (Ages 18-21):
Martin debuted for the ADO first team at 17, officially playing his first game against Ajax Amsterdam in January 1974, shortly after his 18th birthday. His time with the senior squad coincided with a memorable period for the club, which had recently been renamed FC Den Haag. Under the management of coach Vujadin Boskov, FC Den Haag won the KNVB Cup and reached the quarterfinals of the European Cup Winners’ Cup the following season. Martin’s early professional years were marked by both individual growth and significant team success.
Bayern Munchen
1978–1979
In 1977, Martin Jol signed with Bayern Munich, joining a squad featuring legends like Gerd Müller, Paul Breitner, and Sepp Maier. One of the highlights of his time there was playing in the farewell game for his childhood hero, Johan Cruyff, where Bayern Munich defeated Ajax 8-0 in Amsterdam.
FC Twente & International Debut Holland
1979–1982
After one season playing at Bayern Münich, Martin returned to the Netherlands, signing with FC Twente, where he enjoyed two successful years.
His senior international debut came against Germany in Eindhoven, resulting in a 1-1 draw, and he was named Man of the Match in the Confederations Cup (mini world cup) against Italy in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1980.
West Bromwich Albion
1982–1984
In 1981, Martin was transferred to English club West Bromwich Albion in Birmingham, after rejecting an offer from Arsenal 6 months before. Under manager Ronny Allen, he had a memorable season, scoring a winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, his favourite English together with his brother as a child and later managed. A highlight of his time at West Brom was reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup, although he missed the game due to a cartilage operation on his knee.
Coventry City
1984–1985
In 1984, eager to return home, Martin left West Brom. He was persuaded by Coventry City’s manager, Bobby Gould, to join the club, despite having already turned down Sheffield Wednesday. Unfortunately, Gould left the club just months later, but not before helping Martin secure a free transfer.
FC Den Haag
1985-1989
Martin returned to his hometown club, ADO Den Haag, where he aimed to help them regain their position in the Dutch first division. Despite some setbacks, including a suspension that cost the team their promotion, ADO Den Haag eventually won the second division title while going undefeated.
Martin won the Player of the Season award in the first division and helped ADO Den Haag reach the Dutch Cup final against Ajax in 1987. After 18 seasons of professional football, he retired in 1989.