Ruben den Uil

Ruben den Uil is a Dutch professional football manager who manages club Excelsior.

Early years and education

Den Uil was born in Ede, Netherlands, and attended secondary school at Het Streek. He then studied at CIOS in Arnhem before completing a bachelor's degree in Sports Management & Entrepreneurship. Additionally, he obtained coaching diplomas from the KNVB.

Den Uil began his coaching career as a youth coach at Ajax Cape Town before spending a year in Utrecht's youth academy. In 2015, he joined Sparta Rotterdam, where he coached various youth teams over six seasons. In 2021, he became an assistant coach at another Rotterdam-based club, Excelsior.

After Excelsior's relegation from the Eredivisie at the end of the [2023–24 Excelsior Rotterdam|Excelsior Rotterdam season|2023–24 season], the club parted ways with head coach Marinus Dijkhuizen. On 28 June 2024, Den Uil was promoted to head coach, becoming the youngest manager in Dutch professional football at the time. He signed a contract through June 2026 and was assisted by the experienced Adrie Koster.
In his first season in charge, Den Uil guided Excelsior to a second-place finish in the Eerste Divisie, securing promotion back to the Eredivisie at the first attempt.