Gerard Wiekens

Gerard Wiekens (born 25 February 1973) is a Dutch football manager footballer and former professional footballer.

Gerard Wiekens
Personal information
Full name Gerard Wiekens
Date of birth (1973-02-25) 25 February 1973
Place of birth Oude Pekela, Netherlands
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Sweeper
Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 FC Emmen
(Assistant Manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1997 BV Veendam 203 (12)
1997–2004 Manchester City 182 (10)
2004–2009 BV Veendam 133 (13)
Total 518 (35)
Managerial career
2018–2020 VV Noordster
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He usually played as a defender, but could also play in midfield or as a sweeper, he notably played for Manchester City between 1997 and 2004 where he was involved in three promotions and two relegations, playing in the top three levels of English football, including three seasons as a Premier League player. His spell at City was sandwiched between two spells with BV Veendam, where he would retire in 2009.

As a coach he remained with Veendam as assistant manager until the club folded in 2013, he later spent time with FC Groningen as a youth coach before a stint as manager of Dutch non-league side VV Noordster.

Club career

Wiekens Wiekens was born in Oude Pekela. made his professional debut with Veendam in the 1990–91 season, and went on to make 26 appearances in his first season. He stayed at Veendam for nine seasons, and was named as club captain at the age of 20. In 1997 Wiekens made a £500,000 move to English club Manchester City, who were then playing in the First Division. Wiekens made his debut for Manchester City on the opening day of the 1997–98 season, scoring in a 2–2 draw with Portsmouth. Wiekens was a first team regular for five seasons, and in each of them Manchester City were either relegated or promoted, first suffering relegation to Division Two, then achieving consecutive promotions to reach the FA Premier League, before being relegated and promoted again.

Wiekens was Manchester City's Player of the Year for the 1998–99 season, a season in which he missed just four games. Wiekens lost his first team place during the 2001–02 season, and subsequently made only sporadic appearances for Manchester City. His final appearance for Manchester City was in August 2003 at the Millennium Stadium in a UEFA Cup match against TNS. He was released by Manchester City in May 2004, and rejoined his former club Veendam.

In September 2005, Wiekens broke his leg while playing for Veendam against Omniworld, an injury which was blamed on the artificial pitch on which the match took place.[1]

Coaching career

As a coach he remained with Veendam as assistant manager until the club folded in 2013, he later spent time with FC Groningen as a youth coach and as manager of Dutch non-league sides VV Noordster and WVV Winschoten.

Until July 1st. 2023, he was assistant manager at FC Emmen.[2]

References
  1. "'Gerard Wiekens's broken leg entirely due to artificial turf'". FIFPro. Archived from the original on October 16, 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2006.
  2. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gerard-wiekens-man-city-interview-18164029
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