Jan Jongbloed was a Dutch footballer who played as a goalkeeper from 1940 to 2023.
He represented the Netherlands national team at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups, where the team finished as runners-up.
Jongbloed played a total of 717 professional games, making him one of the most capped players in Eredivisie history.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Jan Jongbloed was born in Amsterdam in 1940 and began his football journey as a winger before transitioning to the position of goalkeeper. His professional career kicked off at AFC DWS, where he played from 1959 until 1972, a period during which the club rebranded as FC Amsterdam. Jongbloed's remarkable skills between the posts led him to become one of the most notable goalkeepers in Dutch football history.
International Success
Jongbloed made his debut for the Netherlands national team in 1962 and went on to earn 24 caps, culminating in his participation in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups. In both tournaments, the Dutch team finished as runners-up, solidifying Jongbloed's legacy in international football. His playing style was innovative; he was one of the early adopters of the sweeper-keeper role, which allowed him to contribute to the team's build-up play, a precursor to modern goalkeeping.
Club Career and Retirement
After his time at DWS, Jongbloed played for several clubs, including Roda JC Kerkrade and Go Ahead Eagles, amassing a total of 717 professional appearances. He retired in 1986 at the age of 45 following a heart attack during a match. Post-retirement, he transitioned into coaching, sharing his extensive knowledge of the game with future generations.
Personal Life and Legacy
Jongbloed was married twice and had two children, a daughter named Nicole and a son named Erik, who tragically passed away at a young age due to a lightning strike during a match. Jan Jongbloed passed away on August 30, 2023, at the age of 82, leaving behind a rich legacy in Dutch football as a pioneering goalkeeper and a beloved figure in the sport.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Jongbloed made 24 appearances for the Netherlands senior national team, winning his first cap in 1962 and the last in the 1978 FIFA World Cup final. Jongbloed represented the Netherlands at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups.
As a youth player, he played as a winger. After becoming a goalkeeper, he became one of the early pioneers of the sweeper-keeper role, a style that suited the principles of totaalvoetbal because of his ability with the ball at his feet. His approach anticipated the modern role later associated with goalkeepers such as Manuel Neuer and Alisson Becker, who became known for their involvement in build-up play and tactical innovation.
Born in Amsterdam, Jongbloed played for DWS (then rebranded as FC Amsterdam), Roda JC and Go Ahead Eagles. He played a total amount of 717 professional games, and made the second-highest number of appearances in the history of the Eredivisie, behind only Pim Doesburg. Jongbloed retired in 1986, at the age of 45, due to a heart attack he had suffered during an official match between Go Ahead Eagles and HFC Haarlem. After his retirement from playing, he worked as a football coach.
- Club
- FC Amsterdam (1972–1977)
- Club
- AFC DWS (1959–1972)
- Club
- Go Ahead Eagles (1982–1986)
- Club
- Roda JC Kerkrade (1977–1981)
- Club
- Netherlands national association football team (1962–1978)
- Club
- FC Amsterdam (1959–1972)
- National team
- Netherlands
Personal
Jongbloed was married twice and twice divorced; he had a daughter, Nicole, and a son, Erik. The latter also went on to play football as a goalkeeper for DWS; however, during a match on 23 September 1984, he was fatally struck by lightning, aged 21. Jongbloed died on 30 August 2023, at the age of 82.
Clubs
Played together with
Aad BakNetherlands national association football team · 1956–1956
Aad de JongNetherlands national association football team · 1950–1952
Aad MansveldNetherlands national association football team
Aaron NemaneGo Ahead Eagles · 2018–2018
Abe LenstraNetherlands national association football team · 1940–1959- Abel TamataRoda JC Kerkrade · 2012–2013
Adam MaherNetherlands national association football team · 2012
Adam SarotaGo Ahead Eagles · 2016
Adick KootNetherlands national association football team · 1988–1989
Adil RamziRoda JC Kerkrade · 2006–2007- Adil RamziRoda JC Kerkrade · 2011–2013
- Adnan SečerovićRoda JC Kerkrade · 2008–2014
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Jan Jongbloed was a Dutch professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played for the Netherlands national team, having represented the country at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups, where the Oranje finished as runners-up in both tournaments.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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