As a manager, he took over FC Twente and coached the team for six years, with good results. After those successful seasons, he moved to PSV Eindhoven. He led the team to win the 1977–78 UEFA Cup. He also won with PSV three Eredivisie titles, in 1975, 1976 and 1978, and the double in 1976. After leaving PSV, he took over the national team and introduced young players like Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. The Netherlands failed to qualify for Euro 1984 having better goal difference against Spain until the last day of the qualification, but after Spain's 12-1 win over Malta, the Netherlands ended second in the group. After that Rijvers was sacked by the KNVB and replaced by Rinus Michels.