The former Netherlands international enjoyed four trophy-winning years at Riazor, including Deportivo’s historic LaLiga triumph in the 1999-2000 season. He retains a strong affection for the club and believes they should never have spent so long outside the Spanish top flight.
“I am very happy that they have returned to the elite and I hope they can do well this season. I have so many good memories of my four years there, winning four titles.
“In my opinion, Deportivo belong in the Primera División. It is a club that should not spend so much time outside the top division.”
However, Makaay is keen to see the Galician club approach their return with realistic expectations, rather than immediately targeting European qualification.
Deportivo have brought in experienced names as they look to establish themselves again, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and former Atlético Madrid player José María Giménez among the signings mentioned by Makaay.
The Dutchman admitted he did not know exactly how the club had secured the finances to assemble such a squad, but stressed that recruitment would only matter if it helped them achieve their primary objective.
“I do not know exactly how they have managed to get the money to sign all these players, such as Aubameyang or Giménez, who came from Atlético, but the important thing now is that they manage to stay up.
“They should not immediately be thinking about Europe, but about making sure they remain in the Primera División. When you start with few points, the situation can become complicated. It is very difficult to get out of that position, as happened to Tenerife.”
Makaay knows what Deportivo are capable of when everything comes together. He was part of the team that broke the traditional dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona, winning the league after 38 matches in a campaign that remains one of the club’s greatest achievements.
“We had a great team. At Riazor we practically never lost against them. Everyone knew that playing there was very difficult. We had players such as Naybet, one of the best Moroccan footballers of all time; Mauro Silva, a world champion; Djalminha, Flávio Conceição and Fran, who was the great local icon.
“You need a little luck for Madrid and Barcelona not to have a perfect season, but after 38 matches, the team finishing first is the one that deserves to be champions. I think we deserved it that year.”
Makaay particularly remembers Deportivo’s strength on home soil, where they repeatedly made life difficult for the biggest clubs in Spain.
“Especially at home we played very well and, as I have said, we almost always beat them there. In Madrid it was a little more difficult than in Barcelona, although we also managed to win there on some occasions.”
The former striker also shared a dressing room with current Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni during their time together in Galicia. He remembers a hard-working and versatile teammate who has since enjoyed extraordinary success in management.
“He had a great work ethic and could play in different positions, both in midfield and elsewhere. It is fantastic to see what he has achieved with his national team: winning two Copa América titles and reaching two World Cup finals, winning one and losing the other.
“It is wonderful to see a former teammate achieve so much as a coach.”
For Makaay, Deportivo’s return is an opportunity for a club with a special place in his career to begin rebuilding its position among Spain’s leading teams. His message, though, is clear: survival must come before dreams of Europe.