Daryl Janmaat, who played for English clubs Newcastle United and Watford, has opened up about a cocaine addiction that followed the end of his playing career, describing it as a “very dark period” in his life.
Speaking to local newspaper AD ahead of the premiere of documentary ‘Real Men Don’t Cry’ – in which former Dutch players discuss the impact of elite sports on mental health -, the 36-year-old admitted his problems began after he was forced to retire due to a serious knee issue.
The former Netherlands international earned 34 caps and represented clubs including ADO Den Haag, Feyenoord, Newcastle United and Watford during his career.
“I was very, very low. Really very low,” Janmaat said. “I have three children who also hear and read things. I cannot and do not want to name all the details, but my cocaine addiction caused a lot of misery.”
Career end triggered downward spiral
Janmaat explained that his struggles started when a knee injury effectively ended his professional career. After an injection went wrong and the joint became infected, he had to accept retirement earlier than planned.
“I still wanted it so badly, but a knee injury ruined everything,” he said. “My career was over. I could not deal with that.”
A move into a technical manager role at ADO Den Haag did not help. Instead, he found himself without the structure that had defined his life as a player.
“As a player everything is clear. You go from training to training, from match to match. When that all disappeared and I did not feel in the right place as a technical manager, it went wrong. And properly wrong.”
He admitted the addiction crept in gradually. “You start lying to the people you love. That is terrible. I have hurt many people.”
Life after football and a warning to others
Janmaat insisted that pressure during his playing days was never the issue. He referenced major occasions, including a World Cup semi-final and Premier League matches with Newcastle United and Watford, and said he could handle the tension on the pitch.
“The problems only started after I stopped,” he explained.
In 2023, reports emerged in the Netherlands that he had been found under the influence of drugs. Shortly afterwards, he entered a rehabilitation clinic in South Africa.
Now, he says he has rebuilt his life. Janmaat runs his own gym in Scheveningen and recently featured in a legends match for Feyenoord against Celtic.
“It was cocaine, nothing else. Not alcohol,” he said. “It can happen to anyone. I never thought I could become addicted.”
Janmaat also revealed that although he is officially still married, he and his wife are no longer together. “A lot was damaged,” he admitted, while adding they are now on better terms.
He hopes speaking publicly will serve as a warning.
“Cocaine destroys a lot. An addiction is a real battle. It makes a lot break. I have gone in a different direction now – the good direction. Fortunately.”
