Dick Lukkien named Rinus Michels Manager of the Month for September

The 53-year-old from Winschoten oversaw an impressive 1-0 victory away at FC Utrecht, before beating Telstar 2-0 at home. Defender Marco Rente struck the winner at De Galgenwaard, while Taha and Zawada found the net in Groningen. Although Lukkien’s side were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Feyenoord in their most recent fixture, they earned plaudits for their display.

Lukkien was satisfied with what he saw against the league leaders: "Normally I’m not one for exaggerated praise, but I thought our build-up play – with a key role for our goalkeeper – was excellent. Feyenoord really struggled to press us there. That’s something we did well. Our game without the ball is also very strong. Teams find it difficult to get near our goalkeeper. We’re organised, the players work hard for each other, and that’s one of our strengths."

This is Lukkien’s first Rinus Michels Manager of the Month award. The former BV Veendam defender began his coaching career as an assistant at his old club before moving to FC Groningen in 2010. After spells with Groningen’s reserves and as assistant coach, he took charge of FC Emmen in 2016. Since 2023, he has been managing FC Groningen, leading the club back to the Eredivisie in 2023/24 and earning his first individual honour: the Rinus Michels Award for best manager in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.

This season, Groningen have made an impressive start to life back in the top flight. After seven rounds, they sit sixth in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie, level on 12 points with fourth-placed N.E.C. Nijmegen. Tonight at 20:00 CET, Groningen travel to the Rat Verlegh Stadion to face NAC Breda, who currently occupy 15th place.

The Rinus Michels Manager of the Month award was presented by ESPN analyst Kenneth Perez. “This is the finest award I’ve ever received as a manager. I’m absolutely delighted with it, Kenneth,” said Lukkien. The Groningen boss relishes giving players structure and helping them improve. “I became a coach because I want to help people. Of course, there’s personal satisfaction in that too, as I feel I didn’t get enough out of my own playing career. I believe I have more to offer as a manager, and I want to make the most of that. I want to help players and create a clear, recognisable way of playing.”

At 53, Lukkien is enjoying life at FC Groningen but admits he still has ambitions. “Enjoyment is hugely important, but I’m also curious to see where my ceiling lies. I do have ambition and would like to take another step at some point in my career. That said, I’m very happy here. I think FC Groningen are a big club, and I’m proud of what we’re building together. You can also take the next step as a club, because in my view Groningen are a major side in the Eredivisie.”

The Rinus Michels Manager of the Month is a new initiative from Eredivisie CV, Coaches Betaald Voetbal, De Voetbaltrainer and ESPN, designed to give managers in the Dutch top flight a new platform for recognition. The award follows the success of the annual Rinus Michels Awards (presented since 2003/04 by Coaches Betaald Voetbal and De Voetbaltrainer) and the Eredivisie Player of the Month awards (introduced in 2018/19). Robin van Persie was the inaugural winner in August.

As with the nominations for the Rinus Michels Award, all 18 Eredivisie managers are assessed using a Hypercube data model. The model factors in match results, goals scored and conceded, the strength of the team itself, and the strength of its opponents.

Opponent strength is measured using the Euro Club Index (ECI), which ranks European clubs weekly based on their domestic and international performances. The ECI reflects how strong a club is at a given moment and whether they are under- or over-performing.