Theo Bos (footballer)

Theo Bos (5 October 1965 - 28 February 2013) was a Dutch footballer and coach. He played for Vitesse Arnhem from 1983 to 1998. During his career at Vitesse, he amassed a total of almost 429 matches, a record for the club.[1]

Theo Bos
Theo Bos
Personal information
Date of birth (1965-10-05)5 October 1965
Place of birth Nijmegen, Netherlands
Date of death 28 February 2013(2013-02-28) (aged 47)
Place of death Elst, Netherlands
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1979–1983 Vitesse
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983–1998 Vitesse 429 (1)
Teams managed
2005–2009 FC Den Bosch
2009–2010 Vitesse
2011 Polonia Warszawa
2011–2012 FC Dordrecht
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
Mister Vitesse Theo Bos

Playing career

Bos began his career at amateur club Sv Sempre Avanti and played from 1979-1983 in the academy of Vitesse. After breaking through in several youth teams Bos made his professional debut on 13 August 1983 in the first team against FC Wageningen, which Vitesse won 3–0.

In 1988-89 won Bos the Eerste Divisie title. The following season saw further progress; a fourth-place finish in 1989–90 saw Vitesse qualify for the UEFA Cup for the first time in its history. The club also reached the final of the domestic cup.

Bos spent his entire career for Vitesse, making a total of 429 appearances in 14 seasons with his club. He is therefore considered to be Mister Vitesse.

Coaching career

Theo Bos served as manager of FC Den Bosch from 2005 to 2009. Later in 2009, it was confirmed he would make a comeback at Vitesse, this time as a head coach. He was removed from his managerial duties in October 2010 by new club owner, Georgian businessman Merab Jordania.[2]

In January 2011 Bos was hired by Polish Polonia Warszawa's boss Józef Wojciechowski as a first team manager.[3] He was sacked in March 2011, after a 0-1 loss against Zaglebie Lubin.

He served as head coach of Dutch Eerste Divisie club FC Dordrecht in the 2011–12 season, replacing Henny Lee who opted to leave the club in order to join FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie league.[4] In January 2012 he was forced to take indefinite leave of absence after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; his place as head coach was temporarily taken by assistant Virgil Breetveld on an interim basis.[5] After the end of the season it seemed like Bos would return to being in charge of the team; however, on 14 July 2012, it was announced that he had been forced to take indefinite sick leave due to his health conditions.[6]

Personal life

Death

Bos died on 28 February 2013 of pancreatic cancer, aged forty-seven.[7] Following his death, a special remembrance to honour Theo Bos took place at Gelredome with around 7,000 Vitesse supporters. Bos was survived by his wife Marieke and their daughter as well as two children from a previous marriage.[8] Vitesse retired his shirt number 4 from use in his honour.[9]

References
  1. In memoriam: Theo Bos, ‘Mister Vitesse’ - Vitesse (in Dutch)
  2. "Theo Bos". Goal.com. 2010-04-18. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  3. "Theo Bos będzie trenerem Polonii Warszawa". wp.pl. 2011-01-06. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  4. "FC Dordrecht stelt Bos aan als opvolger van LeeFC Dordrecht stelt Bos aan als opvolger van Lee" (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  5. "Tumor geconstateerd bij trainer Theo Bos" [Coach Theo Bos diagnosed with cancer] (in Dutch). NU.nl. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  6. "Bos stopt noodgedwongen als trainer van FC Dordrecht" [Bos forced to stop as FC Dordrecht coach] (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  7. Vitesse-icoon Theo Bos overleden, NOS (February 28, 2013)
  8. Theo Bos overleden - FC Dordrecht (in Dutch)
  9. Nooit meer nummer 4 bij Vitesse - Gelderlander (in Dutch)
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