Julien Cools


Julien Cools is a Belgian former footballer who won the Belgian Golden Shoe in 1977 while at Club Brugge. Discovered as a junior at SK Retie Branddonk of Antwerp and made his name with Beringen FC. Signed by FC Bruges in 1973 where his reputation for non-stop running in the midfield made him an international regular. Helped FC Bruges to the Belgian league titles in 1975-76,76-77 and 77-78 plus the Belgian Cup in 1977. In Europe Cools was a runner-up in the 1976 U.E.F.A.Cup Final and 1978 European Cup Final, Bruges losing both finals to Liverpool. Rated by World Soccer Magazine as Bruges` best player in that 1978 Final.
At 32 Cools left Bruges to join Beerschot where he enjoyed a new lease of life, becoming Captain of the national team. At the 1980 European Championship in Italy Cools played in all four of Belgium's games including the Final where they lost to West Germany. He was capped 35 times and scored two goals for the Belgian national team.
In April 2008, he accepted an offer to become the Assistant coach of the Brunei national football team.