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A fast mover with a powerful strike, Jerrel Floyd Hasselbaink was one of the most feared forwards on his day. Born in Suriname, a former part of the Netherlands, we take a look at some of the top quotes on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Twice a winner of the Premier League Golden Boot, Hasselbaink competed for numerous teams before joining Chelsea FC in 2000 where he spent four fruitful goal scoring seasons.
With 69 league goals in only 136 games, he top scored in the top flight in his first season at Stamford Bridge, and helped the club to the FA Cup final a year later. He moved around a few more clubs before retiring in 2008 with Cardiff City, his tenth club in an 18 year career, which included 127 Premier League goals.
His appearances for the Netherlands national team were limited to just 23 matches, with one World Cup selection in 1998.
After retiring from the field of play, Hasselbaink became a high profile manager and guided League Two team Burton Albion to championship glory in 2015 and a place in League One for the following season.
Having tried his skills at a couple of other clubs, he returned to Burton Albion in 2021. One of a small group of footballers to have been the English Premier League’s leading goal scorer in a season more than once, Hasselbaink started his career as a goalkeeper in the Netherlands before taking up a role in the right wing position.
“…..what struck me first and foremost was the hunger that he still has…..in the latter years of his career he wanted to make sure that there was a purpose and targets for him…..He brings goals to the club and also an infectious enthusiasm – he is a bubbly character and always has a smile on his face.”
Iain Dowie (Charlton manager)
“(Hasselbaink) possessed one of the best strikes ever seen at Stamford Bridge, was an expert free-kick taker, great with both feet and decent in the air.”
Tom Sheen (sports journalist)
“It’s Jimmy the player we want…..I’m sure he’ll be a big asset to the football club. We have a lot of quality here already and expect Jimmy…..to be the icing on the cake…..”
Keith Lamb (Middlesbrough chief executive)
“Jimmy is a winner and I think it’s a big signing for us, particularly in light of the competition we were up against…..There were a lot of clubs in for him, let’s make no bones about that…..get the first big signing over the line is very important for us. And he’s a big one. We’re delighted to have him.”
Iain Dowie
“But what he’s brought to this club is professionalism…..Good pros are good influences…..”
Dave Jones (Cardiff manager)
“…..great records as professional footballers…..inspirational individuals, great coaches…..”
Ben Robinson (Burton Albion chairman)
“He is also a strong, authoritative leader who commands the respect of all those he works with…..He leaves no stone unturned in his work and prepares his teams meticulously. He is a young manager who has a great knowledge of the game.”
Les Ferdinand (QPR director of football)
“He is an inspirational leader, someone who has had success at this level in the recent past and we think he is a very good fit here.”
Kelvin Thomas (Northampton Town chairman)
“…..he has done an excellent job for us…..Jimmy’s a good player and I’m sure he will score goals for somebody…..He scored some very important goals for us over the last two seasons, helping to get us into Europe in the first place and then playing a big part in our run to the Uefa Cup final.”
Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough manager)
“He brings leadership to the club. He’s a leader in the dressing room and on the pitch…..He’s played for Holland and his goal record is outstanding.”
Iain Dowie
“Jimmy has done a fantastic job since he went in there. They pass it well and move it about good…..He’s done a good job, I’m not surprised.”
Ronnie Moore (Hartlepool United manager)
“Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a proud man and manager as his team works very hard so it’s going to be a tough test for us…..They have achieved safety which is brilliant and knowing Jimmy, he will want to win the game…..He is also a good friend of mine, and he has done a fantastic job (at Burton).”
Gareth Ainsworth (Wycombe manager)
“The staff have done a terrific job there if you look at where they were when Jimmy joined and where they are now – they have really progressed.”
Liam Manning (Milton Keynes Dons manager on Burton Albion)
