Editing Sparta Rotterdam (section)

===Recent years===
Until the [[2002–03 Sparta Rotterdam season|2002–03 season]], Sparta had always played at the highest level, but after they appointed the former international player [[Frank Rijkaard]] as a manager they were relegated from the top-level [[Eredivisie]] in 2002. That made Rijkaard resign from his position.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= Rijkaard quits at Sparta|url= https://www.uefa.com/news/0185-0e6a419e8269-ed2f7f127b22-1000--rijkaard-quits-at-sparta/|work= [[UEFA]] |date= 31 May 2002|access-date= 17 May 2018}}</ref> Sparta returned to the Eredivisie for the [[2005–06 Eredivisie|2005–06 season]]. They were relegated again in 2010. On 20 August 2010, they equalled [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]'s and [[Heracles Almelo]]'s Dutch league record win when they defeated [[Almere City FC|Almere City]] 12–1<ref>[http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/voetbal/7444470/__Sparta_evenaart_record_Ajax_en_Heracles__.html?sn=voetbal Sparta evenaart record Ajax en Heracles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007165051/http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/voetbal/7444470/__Sparta_evenaart_record_Ajax_en_Heracles__.html?sn=voetbal |date=7 October 2012 }} - De Telegraaf {{in lang|nl}}</ref> with [[Johan Voskamp]] scoring an [[Eerste Divisie]] record 8 goals on his debut.<ref>[http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/voetbal/7444082/__Acht_treffers_bij_debuut__.html?sn=voetbal Acht treffers bij debuut] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007165113/http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/voetbal/7444082/__Acht_treffers_bij_debuut__.html?sn=voetbal |date=7 October 2012 }} - De Telegraaf {{in lang|nl}}</ref>

After six years in the Eerste Divisie, Sparta again won promotion to the Eredivisie in April 2016 after a 3–1 win over [[Jong Ajax]] won them an unassailable lead over second placed [[VVV-Venlo]].<ref>[http://nos.nl/artikel/2098596-sparta-rotterdam-terug-in-de-eredivisie.html Sparta Rotterdam terug in de eredivisie] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414151850/http://nos.nl/artikel/2098596-sparta-rotterdam-terug-in-de-eredivisie.html |date=14 April 2016 }} - NOS {{in lang|nl}}</ref> However, they were relegated for the third time in their history in May 2018 after they were beaten 1–3 on aggregate by [[FC Emmen]] in the promotion/relegation play-offs. The result proved to be a historical one since Emmen won their first ever promotion to the [[Eredivisie]].<ref>[https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/emmen-schrijft-geschiedenis-met-promotie-sparta-degradeert-uit-eredivisie~a090d95a/ Emmen schrijft geschiedenis met promotie, Sparta degradeert uit eredivisie] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521021329/https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetbal/emmen-schrijft-geschiedenis-met-promotie-sparta-degradeert-uit-eredivisie~a090d95a/ |date=21 May 2018 }} - AD {{in lang|nl}}</ref>

Sparta has won six national titles (1909, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1915 and 1959) and three [[KNVB Cup|national cups]] (1958, 1962 and 1966).