Stanley Menzo

Born in Paramaribo, Suriname, Menzo arrived at Eredivisie giants Ajax at the age of 19, from amateurs AVV Zeeburgia. Menzo deputised for Hans Galjé during the 1983–84 and 1984–85 seasons, in which he played only a few matches. After a loan to fellow league side Haarlem from September 1983 to March 1984, he became the starter for the 1985–86 campaign. Newly appointed manager Johan Cruyff believed that Menzo was one of the first goalkeepers who could also make his mark as a field player. Throughout the 1980s, Menzo was subjected to racist abuse from fans. Menzo then proceeded to remain an undisputed starter for seven full seasons, helping Ajax to the 1989–90 national title, as well as the 1986–87 European Cup Winners' Cup and the 1991–92 UEFA Cup. However, after a game in the latter competition the following season, a 4–2 loss at Auxerre, during which he scored an own goal, he lost his place to youth graduate Edwin van der Sar, and never regained it. In the summer of 1994, Menzo signed with PSV Eindhoven, where he backed up Ronald Waterreus for two seasons. The 33-year-old managed to revive his career in Belgium with Lierse, which he helped win one league and one cup, eventually amassing nearly 100 official appearances. For a brief period of time, he also played in France for Bordeaux, arriving in August 1997 to replace Gilbert Bodart. However, having lost his place to Ulrich Ramé (who would be the club's first-choice for the next decade), he returned to Lierse in January…

Menzo gained six caps for the Netherlands, the first arriving in 1989. He then spent nearly three years without any further appearances, but was summoned for the squads present at both the 1990 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1992, as third-choice. After legendary Hans van Breukelen retired from international play following the latter competition, Menzo was named the starter for the qualification stages of the 1994 World Cup; following two unassuming performances, the 1–2 loss in Norway and a 2–2 home draw against Poland, he was benched, and ultimately did not even make the squad at all for the World Cup (Ed de Goey, Theo Snelders and Van der Sar would be the goalkeepers listed as starter, reserve and third respectively).

In the summer of 2004, after former Ajax teammate Marco van Basten became head coach of the national team, Menzo was named its goalkeeping coach, remaining there for two years. When coach Peter Bosz left in June 2002, Menzo became AGOVV's manager, remaining in the position for only one season: AGOVV became a professional club in the second division, but he did not have the qualifications to exercise in that category, subsequently moving to Amsterdam-based amateur club AFC. In February 2005, Menzo received the necessary diploma to coach professional clubs. That summer, he returned as head manager of AGOVV. A year later, he joined Volendam, lasting two seasons (incomplete) and signing with Cambuur, which he led to the second position in the second level in 2009–10, even though the team ultimately failed in the playoffs. In October 2010, Menzo resigned from his position at Cambuur in order to join Vitesse as assistant to new head coach Albert Ferrer. In May 2013, he became the head coach of Lierse, where he stayed until his sacking at the end of August 2014. On 28 October 2016, Menzo was appointed head coach of South African Premier Soccer League team, Ajax Cape Town. He left just before Christmas 2017. On 14 January 2019, Menzo was appointed as the manager of the reserve team of Beijing Sinobo Guoan in China. In March 2021, he was named technical manager and interim head coach of the Aruba national team. In January 2022, he became the head coach of the Suriname national team.…

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