 Van der Elst in 2010 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 30 April 1961 | ||
| Place of birth | Ninove, Belgium | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Blauw-Wit Lombeek | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1978–1984 | Molenbeek | 103 | (5) |
| 1984–1999 | Club Brugge | 466 | (15) |
| Total | 569 | (20) | |
| International career | |||
| 1984–1998 | Belgium | 86 | (1) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1999–2003 | Germinal Beerschot | ||
| 2003–2004 | Lokeren | ||
| 2005–2007 | Club Brugge (assistant) | ||
| 2008 | FC Brussels | ||
| 2009–2011 | Lommel United | ||
| 2011–2012 | Sint-Truiden | ||
| 2014–2016 | Roeselare | ||
| 2018 | Oostende (assistant) | ||
| 2019 | Oostende (caretaker) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Franky Van der Elst (born 30 April 1961) is a Belgian retired professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He later worked as a manager.
During a 21-year professional career he played mainly with Club Brugge, being regarded as a legend there and briefly coaching the team in the 2000s. Also, he was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers, in March 2004.[1]
Van der Elst won 86 caps for the Belgium national team, representing the country in four World Cups and retiring at nearly 40 years of age.
- ^ Pele's list of the greatest; BBC Sport, 4 March 2004