Mario Been
A commanding central defender who translated his on-field intelligence into a long managerial career, often steering clubs through challenging transitions.
Born 1963 (age 63)·Dutch footballer and manager·Birthday: December 11·Baby Boomers
Biography
Marinus 'Mario' Been's story in football is one of evolution from a solid, dependable player into a coach known for his tactical pragmatism. His playing days were spent largely in the Netherlands with Feyenoord, where his leadership from the backline was valued. The true arc of his career, however, unfolded after hanging up his boots. He cut his teeth as an assistant at Feyenoord before taking the helm at NEC Nijmegen, where he achieved notable success by qualifying the club for European competition. His managerial journey was characterized by tough assignments, including a stint at Feyenoord during a period of significant rebuilding and financial constraint. Been's coaching philosophy, shaped by his defensive background, often prioritized organization and resilience, making him a figure clubs turned to for stability.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Mario was born in 1963, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mario Was Born
The biggest hits of 1963
#1 Movie
Cleopatra
Best Picture
Tom Jones
#1 TV Show
Beverly Hillbillies
Mario's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1963Born
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1968Started school
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1976Became a teenager
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1979Could drive
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1981Could vote
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1984Turned 21
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1993Turned 30
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2003Turned 40
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2013Turned 50
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 60
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 63 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led NEC Nijmegen to a surprise second-place finish in the Eredivisie in the 2002-03 season, securing UEFA Champions League qualification.
- Served as head coach of Feyenoord, one of the Netherlands' 'Big Three' clubs, from 2009 to 2011.
- Had a prolonged playing career with Feyenoord, making over 150 league appearances for the Rotterdam giants.
- Later worked as a technical director for the Cyprus Football Association, influencing the nation's football development.
Did You Know?
He is the father of professional footballer Ridgeciano Haps, who has played for the Dutch national team.
His middle name is Antonius.
After his stint at Feyenoord, he managed in Cyprus, taking charge of clubs like AEK Larnaca.
“A good system is more important than individual brilliance on the pitch.”
