Half-time Oranje

The worst comeback ever? PSV's Pieters sent off, cuts up arm smashing window

2013-01-22T14:42:00Z

As comebacks go, the one endured by PSV Eindhoven star and Netherlands international Erik Pieters on Friday evening wasn't the best. His return to competitive football after a nine-month layoff is one he will never forget, for all the wrong reasons.

But his transgression – serious though it may be – was the least of Dick Advocaat's worries as his PSV side once again showed why many describe them as 'Jekyll and Hyde' - a trait that once again threatens to undermine their title challenge.

Pieters is PSV in microcosm: attack-minded yet defensively vulnerable. Given de Boeren’s back-line is often described as a soft underbelly, it’s no great surprise that they see attack as the best form of defence. That reliance, due to years of neglecting their defensive game, cost them a shot at the title in the previous two seasons. And it could do so again this time round.

PSV had the honour of hosting the first Eredivisie game of 2013, and with opponents PEC Zwolle in a midst of a relegation battle, this was a perfect opportunity – as Pieters tweeted to his 17,000 Twitter followers – to ensure a good start to the New Year.

A win would also put pressure on their title rivals, especially FC Twente, who were at the time level on points with the Eindhoven side. Instead, both the left-back and his team endured a nightmare, as the visitors romped to a surprise 3-1 victory.

PEC Zwolle got 2013 off to a surprising start in the Eredivisie

This wasn't a wake-up call, rather further confirmation that nothing had been done. Even by Eredivisie standards, this result was a shock; Fred Benson, who scored a brace for PEC Zwolle, was almost lost for words. "We expected to lose by four goals," he said in disbelief after the full-time whistle.

Advocaat struggled to find an answer: "I cannot explain why we fell short of expectations. The players had a collective off-day. PEC Zwolle was sharper than us and deserved to win."

However this historic result – PEC Zwolle’s first victory in Eindhoven since April 1983 – was overshadowed by the actions of Pieters, who for a few minutes descended into madness.

When PEC Zwolle scored their third from badly defended corner with 23 minutes remaining, an upset was all but inevitable; what happened next wasn't. Pieters, blood rushing to his head, mistimed a challenge deemed reckless - his comeback was marred by a straight red, though his tumultuous evening wasn't over just yet.

Pieters (centre) puts across his case to the referee

What followed was a moment that could secure a nomination in this year's Darwin Award, as Pieters gave a whole new meaning to 'blood, sweat and tears'. Visibly furious, he took out his frustration on a nearby window.

The glass broke, slicing his arm and leaving a trail of blood leading to the dressing room – the damage was so severe (it was later reported that he had ruptured an artery and eight tendons) he was rushed to hospital for immediate surgery, involving a skin graft.

A return to sick bay beckons, so soon after recovering from ankle surgery, and before that a fractured metatarsal. This most recent setback, self-inflicted though it may be, is the most damaging.

"I understand his emotions, sent off in his comeback after nine months injured, but the way he reacted was unprofessional," Advocaat lamented post-match. His suspension is certain to be increased due to his regrettable behaviour.

Before being internally disciplined – possibly through a fine – he issued a public apology. “As a footballer you set an example for the young and old. I have not,” he began. “I bear all consequences as a result of my stupid and unacceptable behaviour.”

The below video shows both the foul and the aftermath of his second moment of madness. Be warned - it does, of course, feature a bit of blood...

Pieters, it should be said, isn't the first player in the Eredivisie to be sidelined as the result of taking their anger out on an inanimate object. Sergio Romero, the former AZ goalkeeper, famously broke his hand after punching the dressing-room wall in a rage following their KNVB Beker exit to NAC Breda in 2009.

Although Romero made a full recovery, the same can’t be said for Rob Oomens, formerly of Willem II, who suffered similar injuries to Pieters when a fish tank in his home broke as he cleaned it. After eight surgeries, it was decided that continuing to play football was not a sensible option if he wanted a fully functioning arm and hand – blood flow to his fingers is still minimal to this day. “I hope Pieters doesn’t go through what I did,” he told Omroep Brabant. “It was a stupid action, he has the potential to go far as a footballer, should treat his body more carefully.”

As Oomens alluded, Pieters’ actions were out of character, club legend Willy van de Kerkhof couldn't believe what he witnessed: "It was so unlike him. Normally he’s a quiet boy, this behaviour however shows little respect to the club and referee."

Harrie Timmermans, president of the supporters club, was equally dismayed: "He has a close relationship with the fans, but we cannot accept this behaviour. Hopefully he gets the adequate medical care because, at the end of the day, this is also a personal tragedy."

The suspension and injury – the early suggestion from doctors is that he’ll miss six weeks, but there is a fear he could be out for the season - will mean it will be a while before we see him back in a PSV shirt.

Without respect, no football

2012-12-19T12:13:00Z

A product of its time, it has since dominated the discourse. Six minutes into a Saturday evening game against VVV Venlo, Groningen winger Leandro Bacuna is sent off – and everything comes to a head in a supercharged moment that says ‘enough is enough’. Some saw it as breaking through a glass ceiling, while others thought it trivialised one of the biggest issues in football.

Something of a journeyman player and coach, Robert Maaskant has hardly caught the eye since taking over at Groningen this summer – but that changed on Saturday. Clearly unimpressed by Bacuna's red card, Maaskant made his displeasure known to the fourth official, as managers frequently do. But in a new initiative since the tragic death of linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen after an amateur football game in Almere, the Dutch FA (KNVB) have clamped down on gesticulation and rebellion against the referee’s leadership.

A memorial march for Nieuwenhuizen carries the message

"These are volunteers that we build our sport on, that we cannot do without," said KNVB director Bert van Oostveen after Nieuwenhuizen's death. "Without respect, no football." That phrase – "Zonder respect, geen voetbal" – has now been embraced by a majority across the land, one directive the KNVB promised will be adhered to.

Bright young referee Serdar Gözübüyük certainly hopes so: "Every week I give presentations in schools about respect and sportsmanship." So when at Groningen last Saturday he was called over by his fourth official Rutger Bekebrede, after Maaskant protested a foul on Genero Zeefuik near the hour mark, he made his statement. As he walked towards Maaskant's technical area, Gözübüyük dug into his pocket and pulled out a 'respect' armband – adorned by captains the round of games following Nieuwenhuizen's passing – and displayed it to a bewildered Maaskant.

To Gözübüyük it was justified, as the Groningen boss fell silent. One of the brightest young officials in the Netherlands, the 27-year-old referee – who made his debut in 2006 – was last season voted the Eredivisie's best referee, winning the 'Golden Card'. He was also honest enough, after watching TV replays of Bacuna's indiscretion, to concede that it might have been a yellow card (indeed, the KNVB rescinded the red card). But by that time, the referee's reaction was the bigger news.

"Let's be clear," insisted Maaskant after the match, "I am respectful – especially after what recently happened." He described his reaction as a "football emotion" before arguing that Gözübüyük's behaviour was a premeditated "charade". "Football is an emotional sport. It must remain that way. I think he's an excellent referee so this is a pity." Groningen CEO Hans Nijland sided with his manager. "He didn't use any abusive language, there was no violent reaction and respect was shown. It’s inconceivable in football if there’s no room for emotions."

Gözübüyük refuted Maaskant’s allegation that it was a play to the gallery, instead calling it a "personal statement". The KNVB's Oostveen, although not supporting Gözübüyük's actions, believed the referee had "good intentions" – a line shared by former referee Dick van Egmond: "We are convinced his actions meant well, but referees shouldn't take this matter into their own hands.” On the other hand, sports minister Edith Schippers backed Gözübüyük: "It's about respect. Adults should set an example for young people who are still learning."

Gözübüyük was unrepentant, telling daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad "If you saw it as a charade, then you've forgotten what happened recently." Other referees agreed and gave their support. "Before the game there is respect, but it's quickly forgotten once it starts, that bothers me," said Ruud Bossen. "Serdar wanted to make a clear gesture." Kevin Blom agreed: "It was commendable. Serdar did it because of his feelings. It was a statement from the heart."

Similarly, managers rallied around Maaskant, the most prominent voice coming from arguably the most candid manager. "It was a ridiculous action of the referee," said Gertjan Verbeek, who rarely minces his words. "Disrespectful. You should never ask for respect. I stand with Maaskant." Jan Wouters chose the same position. "I have trouble with this action of the referee. Emotions are part of football; as coaches, we usually know where the boundary lies." Ronald Koeman and Frank de Boer both felt Gözübüyük exploited the newfound emphasis on respect and Maaskant was within his rights to protest as long as it didn't cross the line.

Gözübüyük: Man in the middle

Media reaction has been mixed, many commentators believing Gözübüyük was right to air his feelings but wrong in his methods – despite an Algemeen Dagblad poll finding 62% of readers praising the referee's approach. De Volkskrant's Jan Beuving felt that the well-intentioned but naive Gözübüyük "can't single-handedly change the world" or unilaterally "decide how the whole footballing community should henceforth behave"; if Maaskant crossed the line, he could have sent him off. Hugo Borst, although suspicious that Gözübüyük’s behaviour was premeditated, nonetheless argued how nothing had been learned from the week before when Dutch football as a whole came together.

Gözübüyük's omission from this weekend’s fixtures (the last before the winter break) had many feeling he was somewhat punished, although it was countered by the KNVB. “We have 18 games every weekend, and we have more than 18 referees,” adding that Gözübüyük's involvement in the KNVB Beker tie between FC Dordrecht and AZ meant it wouldn’t be fair on another official who had a free midweek.

The hope is that this becomes a watershed moment. With referees facing such a difficult task that more are quitting than signing up, recent events should change attitudes. Officials do their utmost but are human and are prone to mistakes, like managers and players; both should have the right to question decisions but in a dignified manner and remembering at all times the referee's word is final. Respect goes both ways, but as the KNVB put it, "respect is more than a word". It's time everyone realised that and made good on it.

Ajax-PSV: a philosophical rivalry that dominates the Dutch mindset

2012-11-30T16:25:00Z

Never one to shirk from speaking his mind, PSV Eindhoven striker Dries Mertens described his side’s late-February win over Feyenoord as “kampioenswedstrijd” – “championship game”. That came back to bite him, but even if we're still three games shy of the winter break there's no better word to describe tomorrow's Amsterdam clash between Ajax and, six points above them, PSV.

If Ajax-Feyenoord is De Klassieker, then this is what the Italians would call the Derby dei Paesi Bassi: the derby for the country. It's a clash between the two most trophy-laden sides and essentially a clash of two competing schools of thought in Dutch football: PSV’s workmanlike ethic, historically preferring a more robust 4-3-1-2 or 4-2-3-1, shunning the typically seductive 4-3-3 approach favoured in Amsterdam.

Half a century of Ajax success has led to their model being widely lauded at home and abroad, and subsequently adopted by other clubs as well as the national team. But not in Eindhoven, although a few managers have experimented.

PSV's own philosophy – pioneered by Kees Rijvers in the 1970s and honed by Guus Hiddink in the late 1980s – has always been maintained in Eindhoven to show there’s another way, also successful. In turn it’s created one of the more philosophical rivalries in football, an ideological battleground which has gradually become as heated and intense as the matches Ajax and Feyenoord partake in.

The shunning of the Ajax model is a central theme to the rivalry. The two clubs battle on a fundamental level and the cultural divide only fed into the growing sense of competition on both sides. PSV, bankrolled by their founding Philips Corporation, became noted for their frugal scouting policy as well as extensive signings, in comparison to Ajax's greater emphasis on development of home-grown talent and promoting from within.

That’s not to say the Amsterdam club haven’t scouted or signed talent, which would be a blatant lie, but there’s a clear difference in ethos. In their most recent line-ups, PSV had no starting player from their youth ranks; Ajax had eight. However, that may change in the new economic reality, as Eindhoven – like many clubs – seek to save money by promoting youth.

Eric Gerets, former player and subsequent manager of PSV, once described how he could taste the hatred every time he faced Ajax. “When I arrived at PSV, we broke Ajax's hegemony. I don't think I'm liked very much over there, but I don't like them very much either.”

PSV's Gerets in 1988 – and Ajax in 1971

The feeling in Amsterdam is that beating Feyenoord is a question of honour, but beating PSV is about demonstrating their sporting superiority over the rest of the league. Jan Vertonghen once labelled the sentiment as “positive arrogance,” a trait those in Eindhoven detest. Gerets is one of only two men to win back-to-back championships as a player and coach for the same Dutch club; the other is Frank de Boer.

De Boer, about to celebrate two years in charge at Ajax, has had to his managerial prowess pushed to the limit. The side that showcased some of the finest Dutch football of the last decade broke up in the summer and again he’s team-building. Last Sunday’s dramatic late victory at Roda JC was their third on the bounce, and De Boer felt it could be a turning point. It was certainly a role reversal: up until then, Ajax were the ones guilty of throwing away points late on.

Even before the Roda game De Boer was already looking ahead to PSV, who have shaken off last season's malaise with a run of eight straight wins – including some impressive scorelines – to open up a nine-point gap over the Amsterdammers. But Ajax's victory at Roda cut that to six points, while PSV's subsequent home defeat to third-placed Vitesse means the champions could advance to within three points with victory tomorrow night.

Not that Dick Advocaat, who returned to PSV this summer, is feeling the pressure. Football can be fickle: crisis can be announced within a week of your team lauded by the press, De Telegraaf no less, as "official title favourites".

Advocaat and De Boer: Keepers of the flame

Crisis might sound hyperbolic but as Half-Time Oranje noted previously, in such a competitive league one defeat feels like a losing streak. Both these sides hate to lose and it’s in their DNA for it to prompt soul-searching. “We have to immediately get it out of our system,” is what De Boer often says; the same applies with Advocaat.

Advocaat's return has been successful so far, domestically at least. No side boasts a better attack than PSV, and their unwritten policy of attack being the best form of defence should make their meeting with Ajax all the more intriguing.

Ajax are the masters of possession-based football but have been susceptible this season to the counter-attack, as displayed in these two teams' meeting in the Johan Cruijff Shield, even if neither manager sets a great deal of importance in PSV's 4-2 win in that August curtain-raiser.

Mark van Bommel, who scored a hat-trick in this fixture back in 2005, feels it will be an open contest due to Ajax needing to win – and that could play into PSV’s hands.

Advocaat remembers De Boer fondly from their time with Oranje and isn’t surprised with the younger man's immediate success as manager. As for De Boer, he remembers the epic games between the two sides during his playing days when Advocaat was in the opposite dugout, against either Louis van Gaal or Morten Olsen.

Such classic confrontations are what De Boer yearns for, as they would make for a better Eredivisie, but the division barely needs help. As winter approaches, the top five sides are separated by six points; only the French League is tighter.

History favours the Amsterdam side: of the 56 league meetings, they have won 29 to PSV's 19. Before the last league fixture – which Ajax won 2-0 in April – De Boer compiled a motivational video featuring many examples of 'success', including clips of Michael Jordan, their last-day title victory in 2011 and wild animals feasting. It resonated into his players. "It's not something I usually do," he later told De Telegraaf. "The only time was before the championship game with FC Twente."

It's unlikely he'll do it again but there’s no escaping the importance of the game. As for Mertens and PSV, the hope this time around in what feels very much like a “kampioenswedstrijd” is that the result will be looked back on as crucial step towards reclaiming the Eredivisie crown which has eluded de Boeren for the last four years.

More from Half-Time Oranje:

Twente's "week of truth" starts with the flaying of Feyenoord

2012-11-05T15:47:00Z

Raindrops kept falling on his head, but that didn't mean that Steve McClaren's eyes were turning red. Instead he saw FC Twente reclaim top spot in the Eredivisie at the start of what’s he's dubbed their "week of truth".

It was a victory against much-vaunted opposition Feyenoord, on the back of a turbulent week, invigorated in time for Levante's visit before travelling to inform Vitesse, whose aspirations equal his own.

HALF-TIME ORANJE, Fri 5 Oct: Rutten raises revitalised Vitesse ever nearer to glory

"Crisis? What crisis?" asked McClaren, tongue in cheek, before injecting a dose of reality: 11 games, nine wins... what more can you can ask for? The answer is, apparently, much more. It’s indicative of modern football that "you’re only good as your last game" is often taken too literally.

Despite Twente's more than credible start their campaign, Thursday's KNVB Cup elimination to midtable second-tier side Den Bosch left a bitter aftertaste. A humbling turned into humiliation as, at the full-time whistle, Twente supporters gave voice to a rare expression of displeasure. McClaren had felt the first murmurings as the clock ticked down with Twente chasing the equaliser.

"Looks threatening…"

Supporters' agitation often translates onto the pitch and subsequently inhibits the very players they’re supposed to be encouraging. McClaren's relationship with Twente’s support has never been this strained – it was because of them that Enschede became his home from home – and so on the eve of the Feyenoord game he made an impassioned plea to the supporters.

“We need them,” McClaren admitted, while also describing his remorse for their cup exit. He also paid a visit to their fanatical ultras ‘Vak-P’: "The aim was to visit them after 10 games, and this was a perfect moment – they took it well."

Victory became imperative: a draw or even defeat wouldn’t be disastrous, but such is the current competitive landscape of Dutch top-flight football that every game tastes like a final. For the sides at the top, a one-game losing streak is a crisis. And when everyone is a threat, there are no meaningless games. It’s that psyche which has improved everyone, but particularly Twente: it's hard to imagine many other European leagues in which last season's sixth-placed team that suddenly be in command.

So only a win would suffice, but it wasn’t going to be easy. Feyenoord finished 10 points above Twente last season, runners-up only to Ajax. Ronald Koeman, who can smell a 'crisis' two towns over, was in confident mood and had every right to be. Though his team, like most in the Eredivisie, are on the youthful side, they're blessed with fortitude beyond their years as well as talent. Tonny Vilhena, seen as one of the jewels of the Varkenoord youth academy, made his second league start for the club; he's still 17.

The young Feyenoord side's exuberance – which leaves them prone to punishable mistakes – can worry Koeman, but he can only work with what he’s got and wouldn’t change it for anything. Their resilience shown in recent weeks – coming from two goals down to beat VVV Venlo and then recording a last-minute equaliser in the Klassieker against Ajax – reaffirmed his confidence while proving they're still far from the finished article.

For Twente, this was their third test this season against a direct championship rival. They failed the first, losing 1-0 at Ajax in late September, but passed the second with flying colours against AZ, winning 3-0 back in early October. And the three goalscorers from that day against Gertjan Verbeek's men once again answered the call of their manager against Feyenoord.

Dušan Tadić, even this early, is already staking a claim for 'player of the season'. The Serbian represents everything imperious about this fluid Twente outfit. Deployed out wide, Tadić jinked and weaved before cutting the ball into the path of Nacer Chadli, whose instinctive shot flew past a rooted Kostas Lamprou.

It was the start of what would turn out to be a miserable afternoon for the Greek goalkeeper. Lamprou has been in for the injured Erwin Mulder, who sustained a broken foot in September; Koeman though dejected, had every confidence in his back-up keeper, describing him from a technical point of view “a great goalkeeper.” But before the game was 20 minutes old, Lamprou had been embarrassed again as Feyenoord fell prey to something that all football fans can identify with: the returning ex.

On a weekend in which players lined up against former colleagues – Manchester United's Robin van Persie against Arsenal and Vitesse's Theo Janssen travelling to Ajax – it wasn't a surprise that Luc Castaignos dominated the headlines. Roy Makaay, whom the Twente striker trained under at Feyenoord, gave a scathing analysis of his development since leaving Rotterdam notably decision to move to Internazionale.

Still only 20 and back in the country after his lost year in Milan, Castaignos finished from a position he had no right to – another moment for Lamprou to forget. "He wasn't alert," Koeman lamented.

Come home: McClaren brings Castaignos out of exile

As is now customary when scoring against a previous employee, Castaignos eschewed celebration apart from forming a heart shape with his hands. "I have to thank Feyenoord very much," he said after the game, "but now I play for Twente."

And so, sadly for Feyenoord, does Dušan Tadić. As the rain lashed down in the second half, Tadić stood over a free-kick. It was at an angle demanding a cross, but given his confidence – and ability – the Serbian struck fierce and low. It should have been a routine save, but Lamprou let the ball squirm through him, giving the illusion he pushed it past the line. "It was a huge mistake from me," he ruefully admitted later.

Although fortunate, the strike was Tadić’s sixth of the season; coupled with his seventh assist earlier in the game, it added further strength to the argument that he’s becoming the league’s MVP, if he isn’t already.

It effectively ended the contest just as Feyenoord were creeping back into the game: had Koeman's side halved the deficit, it was game on. Instead, "we just lost," as Koeman's succinctly assessed it, ruing a "lack of conviction and sharpness in front of goal".

McClaren was understandably chirpier. "It was a big, tough match mentally and physically, given the build-up. But we fought and scored at the right times." There was also a word of praise for their "twelfth man". "The reaction from the fans after my call to stay together was great."

It was a win that kept them a point ahead of a resurgent PSV and "a good start to a tough week." The two meet in early December, before as McClaren was quick to stress "bigger tests" lie ahead in the league – starting with Vitesse this Sunday.

De Boer channels spirit of Cruyff as dominant Ajax brush Man City aside

2012-10-25T15:30:00Z

As the clock struck 80 minutes in Wednesday evening’s Champions League tie at the Amsterdam Arena, Ajax coach Frank de Boer will have tensed up.

After all, it was only a few days since he had seen his side throw away a 3-1 lead in the final ten minutes of their league fixture at Heracles.

Fortunately for De Boer and the Dutch champions, history didn’t repeat itself, as Ajax held on to beat Manchester City and add another chapter to their illustrious European history.

Although it’s still unlikely they will make the knockout stages of the Champions League, they’ve given themselves a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the upcoming ‘Klassieker’ at Feyenoord on Sunday.

It was a result nobody could have envisaged, especially after City went a goal ahead thanks to Samir Nasri's 22nd minute strike.

“When we went behind, it was because we did not pay enough attention, and we got punished for that,” De Boer said post-match. “After the goal we recovered very well and equalised right before the break. Today we have seen a fairly good Ajax team and we played good football in certain phases.”

De Boer and coaches set high standards at the Amsterdam ArenA

Roberto Mancini afterwards paid tribute, exclaiming that Ajax were at times “awesome,” which brought back memories of a similar eulogy uttered by Jorge Valdano after his Real Madrid side were brushed away by Louis van Gaal’s swashbuckling outfit of the mid 1990s.

It’s easy to get carried away, but to put the win into some perspective, Ajax’s starting eleven – laced with seven De Toekomst graduates – cost less than €5M to assemble “financial dwarfs” compared to their opponents wrote Haarlems Dagblad.

Whereas in England the post-mortem surrounds Mancini’s tactics, De Boer wasn’t having any of it. “I get a bit tired of people saying it was because of the opponent [playing badly].” That feeling was echoed by both the Dutch press and the Ajax players.

“This performance was no incident. Ajax earned the victory themselves,” stated Algemeen Dagblad.

“[City] seemed like they were less motivated,” winger Tobias Sana said. “But that was because of us! We played the game Frank de Boer wants.”

The manner in which such a youthful and inexperienced side were able to produce such an imperious performance against one of Europe’s elite teams - let alone secure victory - will no doubt restore confidence in Johan Cruyff’s vision.

De Boer followed it, as Algemeen Dagblad reminded its readers, by adopting Cruyff’s "who is not strong, be smart” mantra, starting Christian Eriksen – a natural number 10 – as a deep-lying forward. “The Messi role” as De Telegraaf described it.

Christian Eriksen impressed in 'the Messi role' against City

He may not have been as wondrous as usual, but the Dane’s continual willingness to drop into midfield, rotating with Siem de Jong, allowed Ajax to play their famed circulation football. “We knew beforehand we could get space between the lines,” Eriksen said, adding that facing Manchester City was “better for our playing philosophy” than coming up against Real Madrid.

The resoluteness and fighting spirit shown by battling back having fallen behind against the run of play was a stark contrast to events of recent weeks.

“We played dominant football and they did not have an answer,” De Boer enthused.

After their meltdown against Heracles, Ajax were accused of “struggling with immaturity” by the Dutch media.

They showed the intestinal fortitude to not wilt after Samir Nasri put the English champions in front. “They scored with their first chance,” De Jong lamented. “Luckily we equalised just before the break.”

It was a real captain’s goal and one that silenced a few naysayers who had started to call for him to be dropped. Ricardo van Rhijn, who played his part in the goal, an exquisitely timed cross for De Jong, felt it was a deserved victory. “We showed that we can create chances but importantly we can finish.”

His defensive partner Niklas Moisander gave the Amsterdammers a surprise lead - in more ways than one. “It was so unexpected I didn’t know how to celebrate,” he explained. “I’ve now scored against Real Madrid and Manchester City, unbelievable.”

Niklas Moisander (middle) celebrates giving Ajax the lead over City

If Ajax were in dreamland at 2-1, things got even better a few moments later, thanks to Eriksen. “There was an element of luck in my goal, but you have to make your own luck in matches,” said Eriksen - another player under some pressure heading into the game. “When we went 3-1 up I have to admit that it went through my head we were also 3-1 ahead at the weekend, but I think we all felt that we wouldn't let that happen again.”

The doubts raised over the weekend subsided as their stunning victory was enthusiastically greeted by the local press. “Ajax did it” read Algemeen Dagblad. “So it’s possible after all to beat a superpower […] a royal triumph for Cruyff and kindred, the guardians of pure football.”

The significance of the win beyond three points wasn’t lost on De Telegraaf, who proclaimed that; “The name Ajax can be pronounced with respect in Europe again.”

De Boer demanded his students quickly learn from their errors. Not one player left the field without giving their utmost. “I am proud of them.”

From one big game to the next, Sunday will be the 166th Klassieker, and one as eagerly anticipated as any other. Feyenoord also showcased mental strength in their last outing, recovering from a 2-0 deficit to beat VVV 3-2, their first win in Venlo since 1991.

It wasn’t a performance that sat comfortably with Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman, who knows exactly what lies ahead. “I was ashamed. I have never experienced such a performance with this group.”

Koeman watched Ajax’s remarkable evening first-hand and couldn’t have been more impressed, but remained cautiously confident. After all, the game will be at De Kuip and the last meeting there his side nullified Ajax’s free flowing football.

As the old saying goes ‘one swallow doesn’t make a summer’ - as impressive as De Boer’s side were against City, if they can’t maintain that standard in Rotterdam, it could get tricky. But if they can, with Feyenoord feeding off the partisan crowd (away fans are still prohibited), it promises to be yet another spectacle.

Rutten raises revitalised Vitesse ever nearer to glory

2012-10-05T06:00:00Z

Our Dutch football expert Mohamed Moallim on yet another club pushing the big boys for the title

'No Bridge Too Far' it said on the shirt: a tagline befitting Vitesse under Fred Rutten. There’s something endearing about Rutten: a manager who's there but not really there, a romantic who has often suffered at the hands of reality but who can be more than content with where his side are going.

For the visit of Heracles last month, Vitesse abandoned their famous yellow and black strip, instead wearing maroon and blue. The one-off strip paid homage to the 1st Airborne Division, who 68 years ago fought at the Battle of Arnhem – part of Operation Market Garden, or “a bridge too far” as division commander Frederick Browning called it during planning.

Heracles left with a ‘fair draw’ – only the second time this season Vitesse haven't won, but for club skipper Guram Kashia there were far more important things. At the final whistle he made his way to the side of the pitch, where he spotted Johnny Peters – one of the 20 veterans in attendance, invited by the club. After saluting Peters, Kashia apologised for not winning then stated who the real heroes are. It was a poignant moment.

Kashia and his teammates know the sky’s the limit in Arnhem, but they remain grounded. August marked the second anniversary of Georgian businessman Merab Jordania’s takeover, which made Vitesse the first Dutch club to come under foreign ownership.

Former footballer Jordania immediately set his sights on a title by 2013, but he has since downgraded expectations – hardly surprising considering that in his first season, Vitesse only avoided relegation on goal difference. Instead, Jordania outlined a long-term vision with the aim of bringing Champions League football to Arnhem – but only after consolidating themselves as a top four side.

The takeover created the usual high hopes, but Jordania's wealth is nowhere near that of the owners of Málaga, PSG and Manchester City. Even so, in the cash-strapped Eredivisie he’s certainly an advantage – as will be the impending lucrative shirt sponsorship deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom.

Last season John van den Brom led the team to seventh and earned a Europa League spot via the play-offs. It was their highest finish in seven years, but still short of their 1990s heyday when the Eagles never finished outside the top six.

Vitesse fans get behind the team

That's the benchmark, but the modern Eredivisie is breathlessly competitive – as Rutten knows all too well, having been one of the many that has fallen victim to it. His final two seasons at previous club PSV came against a backdrop of history: the Eindhoven club who had so recently dominated the league weren’t winning games they were supposed to, and another year without the championship was another year of failure.

PSV and Rutten were drifting towards a summer divorce until a crazy week in spring when PSV lost three successive games and his tenure came to a premature end. It seemed harsh – in an unpredictable division, PSV were only four points off the summit with nine games left – but unsurprising in the longer-term context: common consensus considered him lucky to have been granted that third season at the club.

Rutten didn’t become a bad manager overnight. Arnhem, away from the constant spotlight, was the perfect place to restore his image. “I was convinced to take the job after watching the club’s ambition. It is a beautiful club with many promising youngsters, who can certainly shine at the highest level,” he told the club's official website on signing a one-year deal. “I think it was my destiny to work here.”

Rutten looks to the future

Van den Brom left a stable team laced with talent, and Rutten has created an atmosphere where his players can enjoy their football. Second-placed Vitesse are the only unbeaten team beside champions Ajax, having gained 17 points from seven games, but the season was earmarked for taking baby steps forward, and Rutten is playing down the title talk: “It’s nonsense to think we are already at their level.”

That mantra remained in place after last weekend's 2-1 win at FC Utrecht – a club-record fourth successive away victory – but Rutten is aware of the possibilities: "If the season ended now I would be congratulated on finishing second."

They hadn't been at their best a week earlier, in that wartime-commemorating game against Heracles. The visitors had deployed a 3-4-3 system for the first time under Peter Bosz, who noted that “it allowed us to play daring football, which we showed.” Rutten agreed: “Out of the six clubs we've faced I found them to be the best footballing opponent.”

When Vitesse fell behind just after half-time to Ninos Gouriye's strike, it felt like last season all over again for Rutten. But Vitesse probed for the equaliser, and got it through a penalty converted by Wilfried Bony, last season’s top scorer. Rutten wasn’t despondent at dropping points, but noted that “we are now expected to win every game.”

Bony, nicknamed ‘Daddy Cool’, had looked certain to leave on transfer deadline day, and after discovering Vitesse had blocked a move to Aston Villa he made his feelings clear: “This club drives me completely crazy.” His anger subsided 48 hours later, after scoring a very late winner against Feyenoord with a cunning backheel.

The Ivorian is just one of the components in Rutten’s 4-3-3 – a formation used regularly in his final season at PSV after disposing of his tried and tested 4-2-3-1. The attacking formation has enhanced the verve and dynamism of a club known as FC Hollywood on the Rhine.

They display guile as well as style, as shown the week before the Heracles game. Jan-Arie van der Heijden, who’s developed an understanding with Kashia in the centre of defence, was dismissed 30 minutes into the game at FC Groningen; they still ended up winning 3-0.

It was personal revenge for Rutten: on his last visit to the Euroborg with PSV he had left with his tail firmly between his legs, having lost 3-0. “I'm really proud of this team," beamed the boss. “We played well, with courage.”

On this occasion, Mike Havenaar was the difference, opening the scoring after coming off the bench. A Japanese striker Dutch heritage, Havenaar has become a fan favourite: he it was in the photo Vitesse released showing their shirt commemorating Battle of Arnhem.

Expectations will understandably grow as Vitesse progress, and increased competition is healthy for the league. It might not be this season that they mount a full assault on the title, but don't rule it out: the men of Arnhem more than any others are entitled to say "No bridge too far".

Death, disparity or defiance: What does Champions League Group D mean for Ajax?

2012-09-18T07:30:00Z

“When’s the final?” was Frank de Boer’s light-hearted response to the draw for this season’s Champions League group phase. The mood quickly turned sombre, laughter replaced by a legitimate cause for trepidation, as his Ajax side found themselves in Group D, with that letter presumably standing for 'death'.

The Dutch champions were placed in a group alongside Real Madrid and Manchester City, with Borussia Dortmund, the strongest of the fourth seeds, completing the quartet.

For neutrals it’s a mouth-watering prospect – a real ‘Group of Champions’, with all four reigning title holders from their respective nations – but for Ajax it is, as De Boer himself dubbed it, ‘a doomsday scenario’. After all, facing the champions of Europe’s three strongest leagues is never going to be easy...

This will be the third successive season the Amsterdammers and Real Madrid meet. In 2010 it was met with enthusiasm. Not so in 2012. That feeling has been reserved for Dortmund. Ajax’s last visit to North Rhine-Westphalia was on route to their last European Cup final in 1996. Emphasis on ‘last’ as each passing year it becomes nigh on impossible they will reach another. Manchester City – like José Mourinho’s side – is full of battle-hardened internationals laced with quality.

Their rivals struggled to justify Ajax’s threat. Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid’s director of football, described them as a “legendary club” and by that virtue won’t make things easy – how their past will help is anyone’s guess – despite the fact last season Los Blancos had no trouble. Patrick Vieira, Manchester City's football development executive, echoed Butragueño.

By name they make the group more glamorous. In reality they’re imposters void of household names the likes of which you’d find at the Bernabéu, Westfalenstadion and City of Manchester Stadium.

"Errrrrrm, can we not just go in Group A instead...?"

‘D’ could also stand for ‘disaster’. It’s telling that the only positive De Boer could muster is that their supporters would have a good time. He knows in every game Ajax will be bringing a knife to a gunfight. Though mentor, club icon and advisor Johan Cruyff believes facing these teams will enrich his players, there’s no telling how many will be in Amsterdam next season, regardless of whether lessons are learnt.

Jan Vertonghen and Vurnon Anita, two regular members of the side that won back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012, departed for pastures this summer. Although this was perhaps understandable in the case of the hugely talented Vertonghen, it was less so in that of Anita, who for much of his time at the club had been a bit-part player and wasn’t deemed indispensable until the second half of last season.

Losing experience annually has affected the average squad age, for the second season running they boast the youngest in the Champions League.

De Boer’s current first choice XI cost less than €10m to assemble - unlike their opponents, for Ajax, spending €30M on a midfielder is unfeasible. Anita’s long-term heir Ilan Boccara, for example, was signed from PSG’s B team for €500,000.

“Am I jealous of [Roberto] Mancini and Mourinho? Nope,” De Boer told de Volkskrant, adding there’s more satisfaction gained as a coach by promoting from within.

That’s the cornerstone of their new transfer policy, albeit one, which has been forced upon them, and the hiring of Marc Overmars as sporting director, has made it a smooth progression.

If there’s nobody emerging then they have to make the most of a very good scouting network – as they did by signing Tobias Sana, a creative winger from IFK Göteborg for €350,000, which already looks to be money spent. The Swede scored three goals in his first three outings for the Dutch champions.

Tobias Sana is already looking a tidy signing for Ajax at just €350,000

“The days of spending €6m for a player are over,” De Boer declared when the transfer window closed. This summer Ajax spent around €5.9m on nine new recruits, two exceeded €1m; Niklas Moisander (€3m) – earmarked by Vertonghen as his successor – and Lucas Andersen (€1.3m), another highly rated Danish prodigy.

‘D’ is for ‘disparity’, to borrow Immanuel Wallerstein’s ‘world system theory’, in European club football terms: Real Madrid and Manchester City are ‘core clubs’, Borussia Dortmund ‘periphery’ and Ajax ‘semi periphery’.

Inevitable once UEFA embraced globalisation by expanding the Champions League, growth of television’s role is another factor, if they reassure you there’s equilibrium its deception. This is the harsh reality De Boer has accepted; he must rely on inexperienced players in terms of international exposure, age and club football appearances.

‘D’ stands for ‘defiance’. To his credit they’ve started to adapt. The most significant step De Boer has taken has been reintroducing the ‘Michels model’ of individualised training, a means to rapidly accelerate player development, specifically reacting to in-game scenarios.

De Boer knew against Real Madrid last year there would be limited openings, but whenever a chance arose, his players weren’t mentally sharp. The Madrid press labelled them naive. Naivety is often the by-product of a lack of experience. As Immanuel Kant put it "theory without experience is mere intellectual play."

Before visiting Old Trafford last season De Boer hired former volleyball coach Peter Murphy to improve the mental process of his more inexperienced players. “The realisation we could beat Manchester United came after the game,” De Boer said. He’s turned to him again in lead up to this European campaign.

Ajax won at Old Trafford last term, but still crashed out of the Europa League

‘D’ is for ‘defeat’. An honourable one would be tolerated, especially given the calibre of opposition they face, but that doesn’t necessarily mean taking points will be improbable. Mourinho, for example, told Spanish daily AS: “With Ajax you never know, they can cause a surprise.”

We’ve seen it many times before with David versus Goliath confrontations, but realistically Ajax need to be daring as well as being dogged, they can’t rely on luck alone, but their underdog status could yet be advantageous. “The pressure is on the other teams,” De Boer said moments after the draw. “We're just going to play our own game.”

They will to an extent. In his brief tenure, De Boer has transformed Ajax’s shape and dynamism, part of his mandate when taking the reins in December 2010, being patient – putting in extra hours on the training field – and waiting for the right time, to unleash their new/old style of play – an amalgamation of the competing Van Gaal and Cruyff schools – on the pitch.

The tactical tweaking by De Boer – designed to limit ‘errors’ – has allowed Ajax to control games, with greater emphasis on ball circulation and retention allowing them to score with sweeping moves, adhering to the club mantra: "Simple football is the most beautiful."

One notable result of Murphy’s input is how De Boer’s players – already well versed tactically – now think correctly under pressure. Also having the wherewithal to adjust tactics, formation and positional interchange if it’s not working, similar to the Royal Marines ‘Dislocated Expectations’.

In the Eredivisie the opposition is limited. However the sides in Group D will be a different proposition. “In such a group, heroes are born," said Borussia Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke. It’s difficult to see where an Ajax one will come from - maybe a collective act of heroism is more realistic. D for destiny, or not...

De Boer’s demeanour suggests he won’t abandon his principles, a gamble that’s almost certain to backfire, but is nonetheless admirable.

“I’m afraid of no one,” he once said. His reluctant admittance Ajax are no longer a force in Europe was uttered in a tone never heard before.

It was painfully depressing. However he is in every sense of the word befitting of his predecessors.

Could ‘D’ also be for ‘dream’?

Despite false start, Louis van Gaal's second coming shows promise

2012-09-04T10:04:00Z

Standing powerless on the touchline as his Netherlands team were beaten last month was certainly not a new experience for Louis van Gaal.

This time it was Belgium, not Ireland, and more importantly, it was just a friendly, rather than an all-important World Cup qualifier.

More than a decade after his first spell as Dutch national coach ended in shambles and a failure to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, the KNVB reached out to him after the worst Dutch tournament performance in 30 years. It was a popular decision with supporters, players and fellow coaches alike - time heals all wounds.

The collective aim is simple: to return Oranje to their former glories, playing in the spirit of their predecessors. But Van Gaal is no miracle worker; his vision being effortlessly displayed on the pitch will be a slow process.

Van Gaal will aim to banish memories of his past international failures

We live in an age where, even in friendly matches, results seem to have become the be all and end all. But despite being humbled 4-2 in Brussels, Van Gaal accomplished what he had set out to do; instil a new system and integrate new faces.

One defeat won’t undermine those long-term plans. There’s no need to panic or draw any knee-jerk conclusions. As Frank Rijkaard once said; “You wouldn't judge Pavarotti on how he sings in the shower.”

What will have angered him will be the fact that individual errors lead to the defeat, although as many a pundit will tell you, if you’re going to make silly mistakes, it may as well be in a friendly.

There have still been many positives to take.

Return to a familiar system

The recurring discourse of the Bert van Marwijk era was his system - a much loathed 4-2-3-1. Van Marwijk was winning games but that wasn’t enough to satisfy the purists.

Once the Dutch consciously decided to base their football around aesthetics there was no turning back. The game has to be played in a certain way, adhering to certain rules. Louis van Gaal is a purveyor and guardian of such a philosophy and to ensure he got his message across he appointed Patrick Kluivert and Danny Blind, two former star students, as his right-hand men.

The ‘Dutch model’ that has become world renowned is effectively the brand of football that evolved in Amsterdam during the mid 1960s. An emphasis on creativity, cleverness and collectivism inside a proactive and flexible 4-3-3: classical wingers providing natural width – as well as support in the middle – supplying a natural No.9 supported by two advanced midfield playmakers anchored by a controller.

Van Bommel and De Jong were a far from attractive midfield combo

The structure of his system was implemented against Belgium: the Dutch defence, midfield and attacking lines now play much closer to each other, increased mobility, fluidity and synergy in midfield only enhances their passing game. It’s all geared towards controlling possession: without the ball there’s a requisite to press the opposition to win it back. With the ball, Van Gaal will look for his team to play at a far greater tempo than they were accustomed to under his predecessor. One of the first questions Van Gaal asks of his players is ‘can you pass at speed’ preferably not to feet but few yards in front so not to disrupt the rhythm.

Van Marwijk, a fellow student of the game, wasn’t oblivious to this style, but chose to go in another direction. He solely focused on the ends rather than the means, whereas Van Gaal’s philosophy is the antithesis. Van Marwijk’s move away from the traditional Dutch model was seen as an affront, likened to defacing a Rembrandt. It wasn’t to be tolerated. His resultaatvoetbal strategy may have taken Oranje to a World Cup final and top of the FIFA rankings, but the method left a sour taste.

New faces

After the debacle in Ukraine and Poland, it became obvious a large chunk of the squad would not be around for the next major tournament. However many of those that did travel to Euro 2012 made Van Gaal’s first two squads, suggesting he didn’t want to do too much too soon. His remit to rejuvenate will be undertaken, but gradually over the next 18 months.

Five players won their first caps against Belgium, and four of those - Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi (both Feyenoord) and Nick Viergever (AZ) – made up the defence, an area in need of surgery.

Ricardo van Rhijn (right) made his senior bow in Brussels

Adam Maher, the other player to have make his debut in August, won’t be involved in the opening round of World Cup qualifiers, his midfield place taken by Jordy Clasie. Right-back Daryl Janmaat, another Feyenoorder, has also been given a first time call-up.

Aside from fresh blood, there were returning players, who weren’t seen as part of the picture by Van Marwijk; they include AC Milan utility man Urby Emaunelson, FC Twente box-to-box midfielder Leroy Fer and PSV winger Jeremain Lens. His teammates Luciano Narsingh and Jetro Willems continued their progression, with the former scoring his first goal in Brussels.

His way or the highway

One of the more important decisions Van Marwijk had to make before Euro 2012 was who to play as his number nine. Most felt the same debate would continue post Euro 2012. In a refreshing twist Van Gaal used his pre-match press conference to draw a line in the sand: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar would be his central striker, it’s up to Van Persie to change his mind, and the Schalke marksman repaid him with a goal, his 32nd in an orange shirt.

"Huntelaar has [always] performed well for Oranje, Van Persie less so," he said. “With Robin, I had a wonderful conversation,” he added. “We had a good discussion on both a social level and in terms of football vision. I told him that in my opinion where he fits, but that can change. It was one of the best meetings I've had with an individual player."

Another issue of importance was discipline - or lack of it - during the Euros. There were even reports of split factions within the squad - those loyal to Van Marwijk and others who felt his way wasn’t the right one. Van Gaal, with memories of disobedience from his first tenure, made sure history wasn’t going to repeat itself.

Now who's laughing? Van Gaal favours Huntelaar over Van Persie

Clear-the-air talks were held in the first training session before leaving for Belgium. “There were many things put on the table,” Van Gaal told the media, who he still treats with contempt. “The players were frank with each other but things ended on a positive note.”

No one objected to the new way on or off the pitch. As trivial as it may sound, the significance cannot be underestimated. The players, some notoriously known for being outspoken, made it collectively clear who’s boss by figuratively kissing the ring on his finger.

And there’s a good reason. Those longer in the tooth know an emerging group of talents are only a selection away. Those breaking through would be wise not to try and play Van Gaal. A fresh start requires a new leader. Mark van Bommel, who fell out with Van Gaal during their time at Bayern , will be unlikely to get a phone call anytime soon.

Even before the announcement there was one standalone candidate the people’s choice: Wesley Sneijder. He was duly made captain. Van Gaal requires his captain to represent his ideals on the pitch, as well as show initiative. Sneijder does both. He’s also helped that his place in the starting XI is secure which can’t be said for those around him.

There’s enough to suggest a successful period lies ahead, if that comes to fruition, Van Gaal’s false start will quickly be forgotten. First up, Turkey at the Amsterdam ArenA on Friday evening...

Aggro, attacking football and a six-way title race: the best league in Europe returns

2012-08-03T11:48:00Z

The wait has felt long and strenuous: Euro 2012 ended in disaster and pre-season hasn’t exactly filled the void. But this weekend the Dutch season returns – hopefully, continuing where it left off.

The Eredivisie's 56th season, which ended in May, was critically acclaimed. What the show lacks in extravagant production and A-list superstars was more than made up in its unique brand of drama. Dutch fans witnessed Europe's closest title race, with six teams separated by as little as four points.

The openness of the championship chase was no surprise, given that the last few years have seen a significant narrowing of the distance between the traditional powers and provincial sides. The Dutch league is as competitive as it is unpredictable. And this Sunday brings its traditional curtain-raiser.

The Johan Cruijff Schaal [Shield] is fought for by the champions and cup winners – this year, Ajax and PSV. Games between these giants have always been made even more enjoyable by the clash of contrasting styles and identities. Their battles have often chosen champions and decided dynasties - and there's no love lost.

PSV: the eternal outsiders
PSV have cultivated the siege mentality of outsiders: they feel that the successes they have compiled – and they were champions seven times in the first nine seasons of this century – haven't received the credit they deserve. In part, this exclusion is geographical: Eindhoven lies outside the Randstad conurbation which dominates the Netherlands by combining the country's four major cities and almost half the Dutch population.

Still, they beat Ajax to the signature of Heerenveen's highly coveted young Oranje winger Luciano Narsingh. They have also strengthened their already formidable squad by adding Danish centre-back Mathias “Zanka” Jørgensen and bringing back Mark van Bommel, subsequently made captain.

He's not the only familiar face returning to Eindhoven. Four championship-free years have prompted drastic measures: the appointment of Dick Advocaat, who led PSV to the title in 1997. His return has got many believing – unlike last season – that they can go the distance and reclaim the title: he knows the club like the back of his hand, and is unfazed by any expectation, whether created internally or externally. His single-minded drive and tactical versatility might just prove the difference.

Ajax: rejuvenating again
That said, it’s a gamble, and it won’t be easy against a formidable foe in Ajax and Frank de Boer. A veteran of the wars between Ajax and PSV during Advocaat’s first Eindhoven term in the 1990s, De Boer is now a fellow general – and a successful one. In his 18 months leading Ajax, De Boer has not only won back-to-back championships but also established himself as one of European football’s most exciting young coaches and an emerging brilliant mind.

His steadfast belief in the Ajax school – implemented by Jack Reynolds, refined by Vic Buckingham, enhanced by Rinus Michels and modernised by Johan Cruyff and Louis van Gaal – has transformed a club previously on a road to nowhere. The Amsterdammers now play breathtaking football in a spirit worthy of their founding fathers.

Jan Vertonghen’s departure to Tottenham has left a gaping hole in defence, but as is the Ajax way, De Boer is banking on the system more than the personnel. No.10 Siem de Jong has replaced Vertonghen as captain, but there has been no big signing to replace the Belgian at the back: Ajax will continue to bring through promising youngsters.

Also competing: Koeman, Verbeek and Shteve
While it's true that Ajax and PSV are the main contenders, the league’s competiveness has ensured that a duopoly is a thing of the past. If those two don't keep the pace, there are several challengers capable of capitalising.

Feyenoord spilt the two last season, ending half a decade of underachievement by finishing runners-up to the surprise of everyone – except coach Ronald Koeman. There’s a sense of resurrection in Rotterdam; like PSV they’ve acquired well during the summer – in their case, partly out of necessity through key departures – as a result Koeman is as confident as ever. “There's more,” he told Voetbal International. “If we manage to create the same feeling again, the new Feyenoord needs not be afraid of anyone.”

If that might mean the return of the ‘big three’ – last season was the first time in eight years that Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV have filled the top three – then standing in the way of the old order are AZ and FC Twente. Champions in 2009 and 2010 respectively, they have continued since to fight for the title.

Last season was the first championship challenge for AZ's eccentric manager Gertjan Verbeek, but this term he wants to triumph. Although his outspoken nature turns him into a pantomime villain, his brash and determined demeanour has made him the league's breakout character. Even he needn't hype an opening-weekend trip to Ajax, but his recent clear contempt for that outfit – to the point of straining relations between the clubs – has made it the opening weekend's must-watch match.

Steve McClaren, the only non-Dutch coach in the league, knows what it takes to win the league – and he's now back where he won it, at Twente. Although the Enschede outfit have lost Luuk de Jong to Borussia Moenchengladbach, he has been adequately replaced by former Feyenoord striker Luc Castaignos, returning to the league after a forgettable year at Inter Milan. Twente have a still possess a creative attack that makes them worthy contenders.

Bubbling under: Managers making merry
Below those five, the interest surrounds managers: returning figures like Marco van Basten, Fred Rutten and Erwin Koeman, plus emerging names like Ruud Brood, Art Langeler, Alex Pastoor and Robert Maaskant.

Van Basten's Heerenveen and Rutten's Vitesse are the most likely to fight for sixth place, although neither is aiming to stop there. Ambitious off the pitch, both clubs have players of rich potential who adhere to a blueprint of attacking and compulsive football.

“I was convinced to take the job after watching the club’s ambition,” Rutten said on arriving at Vitesse to replace John van den Brom, now at Anderlecht. “It is a beautiful club with many promising youngsters, who can certainly shine at the highest level.”

The same applies to NEC – if they can stay consistent. Derided as smug, coach Alex Pastoor has turned the critics' term ‘smartass’ into a badge of honour. His confidence in his convictions might rub others up the wrong way, but the second half of last season showed his potential: he took NEC to within a hair's breadth of Europa League football in the play-offs.

Having guided PEC Zwolle to the second-tier title last season, Art Langeler is another young coach destined for big things. He shouldn't feel inhibited: Ruud Brood proved last year at RKC Waalwijk that being at an unfashionable club needn’t limit your ambition. Industrious with strong ethics, Brood guided the side from Holland’s shoemaking capital to the brink of Europa League football. Brood has moved to Roda JC, who finished a point short of the play-offs, and has been replaced at RKC by Erwin Koeman; let's hope he sticks around long enough to take on his younger brother and in turn restore a damaged reputation.

Another beauty of the Eredivisie is that fans usually get their money's worth because every side propagates attacking football – some are just better at it. FC Utrecht and Heracles were inconsistent last season but never lacked adventure; Jan Wouters, entering his first full campaign at Utrecht, and Heracles' Peter Bosz know no other way.

Another club to keep an eye on is FC Groningen. Having sacked Pieter Huistra for gaining only three wins from his last 17 games, they have appointed Robert Maaskant; although he has spent two years outside Holland, his previous spell with NAC Breda was successful.

Breda themselves aren't in the greatest of shape, finishing 13th last season. Their coach John Karelse knows he has a battle ahead. The same applies for VVV under Ton Lokhoff, one of eight former Dutch internationals coaching in the league; Den Haag; and newly promoted side Willem II, back up after spending a season in the second tier.

Throughout the country there’s great expectation ahead of the new season. It has all the ingredients for a spectacular and highly engrossing drama – just like its predecessor.

Van Basten is back – and hoping Heerenveen can add consistency to excitement

2012-07-13T15:44:00Z

Marco van Basten is no stranger to comebacks: his playing career was filled with them. Ultimately, he could no longer continue the act, retiring in 1995. He returned as a manager, then left again; now he’s back and this time it’s personal.

After injury ended his playing career in 1995, Van Basten vowed never to return to football but relented by returning to Ajax as a youth team coach in 2003. Within a year, the KNVB came calling on the recommendation of Van Basten's mentor Johan Cruyff – and ‘San Marco’ answered the appeal.

He succeeded Dick Advocaat after Oranje’s semi-final elimination at Euro 2004 – a decision he looks back on with slight regret. It was a move that drew parallels with Frank Rijkaard’s appointment prior to Euro 2000, but unlike his former teammate he inherited a side at a crossroads between two generations.

Having instigated a mutiny against Leo Beenhakker at Italia 90, Van Basten found the shoe on the other foot as he slowly fell out with the dressing room's more stubborn personalities – notably Mark van Bommel, Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf. Ruud van Nistelrooy went as far as to retire, but returned after Edwin van der Sar intervened.

Van Basten's stated concentration on Euro 2008, dismissing the 2006 World Cup, didn’t sit well; their subsequent failure only intensified criticism. Despite KNVB overtures about extending his contract to 2010 he pre-arranged a return to Ajax before presiding over a rollercoaster Euro 2008 in which the Dutch beat both World Cup finalists before losing to Guus Hiddink's Russia in the quarter-finals.

Van Basten in the Euro 2008 quarters

His return to Amsterdam was meant to usher a new period; after years of upheaval, here came a bright young coach full of ideas as well as commanding respect. It turned out very differently, and Johan Cruyff was adamant the club had set Van Basten up to fail. “I warned Marco. I saw all this coming and it has been happening for years and years. The organisation is rotten to the core.”

Cruyff had been scheduled to return as technical director around February 2009, but in an uncharacteristic change of mind pulled out stating a "professional difference of opinion" with Van Basten, who in turn opined Cruyff’s plans were "going too fast". Indeed, it would be another three years before Ajax would adopt his proposed reforms.

Van Basten, for all the external issues, isn’t immune or innocent. Unfairly or not, exuberant promises and extravagant purchases – including Oleguer Presas and Miralem Sulejmani for a club-record €16.25m – only led to increased scrutiny from the club's fifth column, and the subsequent pressure was unbearable. Ajax, like many clubs, can turn into a snake pit.

Getting his players to adhere to his approach was often a struggle; understanding the theory was no problem, putting it into practice was, especially when positive steps were countered by inconsistency. Nor did it help to lose leading scorer Klaas-Jan Huntelaar midway through the campaign.

The side lost all hope of Champions League football in their penultimate game – a 4-0 defeat at Sparta Rotterdam. “How in God's name is it possible that we can't beat Sparta when it really matters?" he asked. "Is it even fun to be manager anymore?”

Van Basten unceremoniously left before the season ended, admitting "I am not able to fulfil the demands that Ajax have for a coach.” The club were left in a worse shape than before Van Basten's return.

Marco faces the music at Ajax

The departure threatened to end a once-promising managerial career. Many expected him to head back to the golf course, but not Guus Hiddink. "This doesn't have to be the end of his coaching career," Hiddink said. "He also has the experience of four years as national coach. He should take time to consider his future."

He took his time alright; perhaps self-doubt crept in. This cut-throat business wasn’t made for the Utrechter. His name would pop up whenever a position became available – notably at Chelsea, AC Milan and Sporting CP – but nothing concrete… until this year, nearly three full seasons after his exile began.

In a bolt from the blue the day before Valentine’s Day, SC Heerenveen called a press conference and announced Van Basten’s return. The Friesian club had not long confirmed that incumbent Ron Jans would be leaving in the summer, but no one could have predicted his successor.

"This feels like a good and new challenge," said Van Basten. "I will bring with me the experience I have gained working with the Dutch national team and at Ajax. I am wiser now than then.”

The upcoming challenge is daunting. For a while last season, Heerenveen contested a six-way title race in one of the most open top-flight campaigns for a generation; however, they're set to lose three key individuals from the quartet that made their participation possible.

Bas Dost has already left for Wolfsburg; Luciano Narsingh and Oussama Assaidi are also set to depart. At least the creative Serbian Filip Đuričić, favourably compared to Kaka, should remain. Van Basten would have known of those likely departures before putting pen to paper, but equally he will have been encouraged by the club's longstanding reputation.

Heerenveen are the masters of reinvention, season after season, providing a perfect blueprint for those in the provinces. Whenever it seems, after losing influential figures, that they're dead certainties to struggle, they defy expectations and bounce back.

There are three simple and effective reasons: scouting – they have a very good network at home and abroad; a strong youth programme; and a frugal business model overseen by Robert Veenstra, their chairman since 2010. Nothing is left to chance for this club seemingly going places. There are plans in place to build their own ‘MilanLab’ and state-of-the-art training facilities.

The motive behind Van Basten’s emphatic ‘yes’ is their promising future. Heerenveen will play in Europe next season; the hope for a few years' time is not just to be a constant presence but to consistently reach the latter stages. “This is an ambitious club that wants to play at a higher level, but is also realistic,” says Van Basten. "I want to do all I can to build on that next season."

His approach and willingness to play an attacking brand of football will fit right in at Heerenveen. The Friesian club were the most entertaining side to watch last season with their carefree and expansive style under Jans. Their outlook was typified a few days before the Van Basten news broke in a 4-3 win over Roda JC which had everything: snow, goals, comebacks and more goals. It was nearly postponed, but those in attendance were glad it wasn’t.

Van Basten's latest return presents an opportunity to exorcise past demons and convince those who still doubt him. But he warned not to expect fireworks straight off the bat and he’s right to be cautious. Heerenveen's start isn’t what you call straightforward: home games against NEC and Ajax with trips to Feyenoord and AZ sandwiched in between.

It's to be hoped that Van Basten’s claim of newfound wisdom is true. His mere presence elevates the Eredivisie and football as a whole. Being self-critical, he admitted he should have taken an alternative route.

In an honest personal evaluation, he acknowledged that his management style was heavily based on intuition and that he would rather have stayed on as a youth team coach, in order to develop a stronger acumen and communication skills. “My career took off quickly,” he told de Volkskrant. “I missed the education you need. In this regard, [Ajax coach] Frank de Boer has done better.”

There’s no jealousy when he muses over De Boer’s unbridled success in such a short space of time. Instead, Van Basten reveres him as a model for any aspiring coaches. The assertion that great players don’t always make good coaches is one that has often been levelled at him, although he agrees still wants a fair crack at the whip. “Having such a background can be a benefit to your credibility,” he stressed. “But what matters is how I perform.”

Not many can say they’ve studied under Fabio Capello, Rinus Michels, Arrigo Sacchi and Johan Cruyff. Understandably, much of Van Basten's philosophy is drawn from their tenets. The expectations that originally burdened him were unrealistic. He made errors, such as being a disciplinarian when it wasn’t required, and tactically chaotic. If those lessons are learned, then this comeback could end up better than the last.

Vertonghen ready to continue ascent by testing himself in the Premier League

2012-06-25T13:40:00Z

“I was fifteen and saw someone robbed of his jacket.” As first impressions of a city go, this certainly wasn’t the best.

Since the day a 15-year-old Jan Vertonghen first visited Amsterdam, he’s not witnessed a single instance of petty crime in the city that has since become his home.

Now, nine years later, the 24-year-old defender looks set to leave one capital city for another, with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the pipeline.

His debut saw Ajax eliminated in the Champions League qualifiers. It was the first, and certainly not the last set back of his Ajax career.

Another came when playing for Jong Ajax against in the KNVB Beker, against Cambuur Leeuwarden in 2006. He attempted to knock the ball back to the opposition keeper after one of his team-mates had received treatment for an injury. But rather than landing comfortably at the custodian’s feet, it flew over his head and into the net. Vertonghen’s facial expression spoke a thousand words.

He would go on to make a habit of scoring spectacularly, though not always in such an unfortunate fashion. He is a free-kick specialist, as well as a threat from corners. His last strike of 2011/12, suitably a free-kick, took his tally to eight league goals – the most by an Ajax defender since Frank De Boer in 1994/95.

His ascent to prominence is a testament to his character. He’s had to fight, scratch and claw. His versatility – comfortable in midfield and defence – was a curse rather than a blessing. He was in danger of being pigeonholed as a utility player.

He craved playing central defence. The opportunity presented itself when Thomas Vermaelen left for Arsenal. He grabbed it, but was still prone to lapses. Frank de Boer’s arrival energised and bettered him.

The former Dutch international pushed him in every training session; every mistake made during a game would see De Boer squirm on the bench. De Boer saw greatness in him and strived to unleash it. Vertonghen, who combines football with studying a degree in sports marketing, became his protégé.

"I've learned a lot from him,” Vertonghen enthused. “Analysing situations during a game and building attacks. Because he was the same type of player as me, I understand what he wants. He’s been good for me. He stands for the old Ajax style of daring football."

Nicknamed ‘SuperJan’, he marauds from defence, starting, continuing and occasionally finishing the attack. To some, he is Ajax's best attacker, the quintessential ball-playing centre-half in the mould reminiscent of predecessors Velibor Vasović, Ruud Krol and Ronald Koeman.

His goal against Den Haag was the perfect illustration: he intercepted the ball in his own half, played a one-two with Ismaïl Aissati, ran into the opposition penalty box, dragged the ball onto his right foot and curled it into the bottom corner.

De Boer’s reinvention of Ajax in the second half of last season benefited Vertonghen. It was the ideal stage for the eventual Dutch Footballer of the Year to express his natural game.

There’s an argument the system has made him look a better defender than he actually is. Yes, controlling matches in the manner Ajax do makes his job easier, allowing him to vacate central defence and act as a deep-lying creator, but the very fact he is able to step out of defence in such a way just underlines his versatility and technical ability.

A fair criticism would be that he sometimes looks vulnerable when on the back foot, though this is rarely punished in the Eredivisie due to Ajax’s dominance during most matches. In a different environment, it could be a bigger issue.

Vertonghen spent his youth at VK Tielrode and Germinal Beerschot, both in his native Belgium. He joined Ajax’s academy in 2003 and three seasons later made his senior debut against F.C. Copenhagen.

“I’m probably more of an Amsterdammer than a Belgian,” he explains. “I grew up in this city and built up my social life here. Everything happens in Amsterdam. I live here, my girlfriend is from here, my friends, Ajax, everything. I don’t know anything else anymore.”

He doesn’t regard himself as a celebrity, you often find him playing pub quizzes, walking down the streets of Amsterdam immersing with the public. In turn they have taken to him, Vertonghen gives the impression he’s a fan who has the privilege of playing for Ajax.

The freedom he gets in Amsterdam may not be afforded him in England. Last month, he was the centre of attention when Belgium visited Wembley for England’s final Euro 2012 warm-up match. The English media had suggested his move to White Hart Lane was all but complete, and were desperate for quotes about the deal straight from the horse’s mouth.

“It was my first brush with the English press,” he explained, having taken to Twitter to play down reports he had suggested the deal was complete. It was far from done.

Some have questioned his decision to join Spurs, but Vertonghen has long been an avid follower of the Premier League - playing at Old Trafford in last season’s Europa League only enhanced his passion - and Tottenham, unlike many of their rivals, will guarantee him first-team football in his favoured role.

Last season saw Vertonghen come of age. De Boer described it as “beautiful to watch.” His exemplary leadership coupled with no-nonsense attitude helped Ajax successfully defend their title. He leaves as a champion, but isn’t closing the door on a future return.

“You have to go if you feel you’re ready”, he told Ajax’s official website. “If that’s at 21 years old or 25, it doesn’t matter. Age isn’t an issue. As a football player, I feel ready for that now.”

De Boer's spring offensive sees Ajax march to the brink of the title

2012-04-17T14:58:00Z

Love or hate them, Ajax are unignorable. Those who wrote them off as title challengers made one grave miscalculation. At the helm is a street fighter, the most capped outfield Dutch international, a natural born winner.

After a refreshingly competitive season, the Amsterdam giants are destined to triumph again. Even before last week's crucial midweek round – in which the five chasing clubs failed to win while a 5-0 cruise for Ajax at Heerenveen opened up a six-point gap – the 12 Eredivisie coaches not involved in the title race were asked to predict the champions: nine replied Ajax. It's a far cry from early February, when the champions lay back in sixth place.

They've marched clear of the pack thanks to Frank de Boer’s man-management but also because their rivals have fallen by the wayside. Last Wednesday, news of PSV’s 2-1 loss to RKC Waalwijk was greeted with euphoria at Heerenveen's Abe Lenstra stadium, not by the home fans – though they would remain level on points with the Eindhoven club – but by the visiting horde of Ajax supporters. Combined with that 5-0 win against a purported title rival, this felt like the final resistance squashed.

Defeated PSV caretaker Phillip Cocu said there would be no more talk of the championship. Feyenoord boss Ronald Koeman told the press that winning the Eredivisie was never part of the season's plan anyway. AZ coach Gertjan Verbeek insisted there was hope, although there was little left among his players and fans the following weekend when his team lost at PSV.

Twente gaffer Steve McClaren hoped for one more twist, which he got that weekend when NAC Breda's dying-seconds equaliser cost him two valuable points. Meantime Ajax were serenely defeating De Graafschap to maintain a six-point gap.

Back in early February, Ajax lost 2-0 at home to FC Utrecht the week after a 4-2 loss at a Feyenoord inspired by hat-trick scoring Manchester City loanee John Guidetti. The historic defeat to Utrecht, the first side to complete the double over Ajax in consecutive seasons, left them eight points adrift of the leaders.

HALF-TIME ORANJE, 2 Feb 2012: Klassieker victory suggests a brighter future for Feyenoord

De Boer was at the lowest ebb of his short managerial career, but instead of tearing into his players – criticising their profligacy in front of goal was the closest he came – he calmly outlined a simple mission: not to drop any more points until the end of the season. The gauntlet was thrown down – and immediately picked up by the Ajax players.

Defender Jan Vertonghen has set the standard, wearing his heart on his sleeve right next to his captain's armband. Vurnon Anita’s return to midfield has allowed better synergy, eradicating the disjointedness that plagued De Boer’s team in the first half of the season. And with the pressure on others above them, everything else began to fall into place.

Marching on together: Ajax in February

One by one, FC Twente, PSV and AZ would be proclaimed favourites. PSV looked unbeatable at home – until FC Twente arrived and put six past them. That brought forward Fred Rutten's planned summer exit and hastened Cocu's arrival; despite winning the KNVB Cup, the Eindhoven club still look shaky, having had a torrid year.

AZ, who defined inconsistency last season, kept picking up wins until the toll of playing in three competitions took its effect. Verbeek would tell you his side don’t look tired but that’s not the impression they’re giving. McClaren’s Twente should have kicked on after their rout in Eindhoven, but stagnated as the English manager tried to learn about a squad running out of steam.

Meanwhile Feyenoord and Heerenveen were stuttering as much as winning. Both Ronald Koeman and Ron Jans (who will be replaced in summer by Marco van Basten) have done very well this season; both clubs should finish well, but the shortcomings of last season in either side haven’t been totally relinquished, nevertheless a successful campaign.

As the others faltered, Ajax just kept winning, rewarding De Boer’s defiance after that fourth defeat of the season to Utrecht. One victory turned into four consecutive wins; it became eight on April Fool's Day as the side went top with a 6-0 demolition of midtable Heracles while AZ were being held by Vitesse.

The 5-0 win at Heerenveen was Ajax's ninth successive win, while the routine 3-1 home win against De Graafschap made it 10. They’ve accumulated 35 goals, scored by 13 different players, conceding just four in the run. A team that had trailed by 11 points in November now lead the league by six.

A few weeks ago, the six-team title race gripped the nation; now it seems a procession for Ajax. The new battleground is for second: a point separates five teams, all eager for taste of Champions League football.

HALF-TIME ORANJE, 24 Feb 2012: Five points between the top six: the best title race ever?

None of those five teams had an answer to Ajax’s improbable resurgence, which has outstripped all rivals. In the same 10-game period, Feyenoord and Heerenveen have mustered the most wins (six), Twente have scored the most (21) and Feyenoord have conceded the fewest (seven) – but the stats aren't in same league.

Ajax have simply followed Rudyard Kipling's advice: “Keep your head when all about you are losing theirs.” The Amsterdam giants have an essence of renewal and vigour there’s swagger and calmness in their football. By contrast, you get the impression that their rivals' energy is being sapped by each passing week: May can’t come quick enough.

With four games remaining, the mayor of Amsterdam has advised citizens to start planning the celebration of the 31st championship. De Boer would be quick to warn him against complacency, but he knows deep down that momentum is with them and acknowledges them as “hot favourites”. Having led Ajax to last season's title after taking over in December, De Boer is again proving himself capable of overcoming the opposition in the second half of the campaign. The natural born winner will surely triumph again.

Dutch history at Wembley: Anger, awe, elbows, elimination and expectation

2012-02-28T17:12:00Z

When Holland ride into Wembley it will be their seventh visit. It's a stage renowned for controversy and drama, but it's one on which every Dutch footballer wants to play. Previous pilgrimages to the cathedral of football have seen humblings and masterclasses.

Euro 96 Group A, 18 June 1996: England 4-1 Netherlands
The last Dutch visit, 15 years ago, will live long in the English memory. The summer of 1996 was when football came home. Guus Hiddink's side arrived without the injured Frank de Boer but on the cusp of a golden generation, with many players educated at an Ajax side who had reached the last two Champions League finals.

The first sign of their ‘intent’, on behalf of a well-known sportswear firm, was a billboard campaign featuring Patrick Kluivert superimposed on the Dutch tricolour with a simple message to the England boss: 'Venables, Quit Now'.

However, as was to become typical of Oranje get-togethers, the confidence was followed by chaos and drama. Amid reports (decried by Clarence Seedorf as media mischief) of a racial divide in the camp, Edgar Davids decided to air his grievances with Hiddink.

In a radio interview, the man nicknamed ‘The Pitbull’ by Louis van Gaal sank his teeth into the national coach: “Hiddink must take his head out of players’ asses, so he can see better.” Davids was sent home. An integral part of the Dutch midfield, he would be very much missed when the Netherlands faced the home nation.

In a result still celebrated in England, the hosts humiliated Hiddink's side 4-1 beneath the Twin Towers. Described by many as Terry Venables' finest hour, it was Hiddink’s darkest.

“It was a big defeat," said the coach. "I felt isolated. England taught us a lesson in every aspect of the game.” Dennis Bergkamp added that the result haunted him and would only be exorcised if he gained revenge – but his playing path would never again cross with the England team.

Phillip Cocu, now an assistant coach of the Oranje, came on that night as a 72nd-minute substitute. By that point the English onslaught led by Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham had put the hosts 4-0 up. “We have to be really pleased for ourselves,” Venables beamed. "Personally, it's the most satisfying performance of all time, because of the quality of the opposition. This sort of result doesn't happen to Holland very often.”

The reaction back home centered around the Davids affair, as Hiddink was labelled a coach choosing to cut his nose to spite his face. England’s 4-1 victory remains Oranje’s heaviest defeat in tournament football.

USA 94 qualification, 28 April 1993: England 2-2 Netherlands
The English saw that Wembley win as revenge of sorts for what had happened three years previously. Well-placed in chasing qualification for the 1994 World Cup, having won three and drawn one of their opening four fixtures, England took a 2-0 lead after 22 minutes through a brilliant John Barnes free-kick and David Platt's tap-in after Les Ferdinand had hit the post.

Paul Gascoigne was running the game for England, until he was on the receiving end of Dutch captain Jan Wouters' elbow. "It was never my intention to injure Paul," Wouters later insisted. "The injury was so unfortunate for England because for the first 20 minutes Gascoigne was the best player on the field.”

To add insult to Gascoigne's injury, Wouters helped the Dutch halve the deficit 10 minutes before half-time when his sumptuous pass was volleyed home by Inter Milan forward Dennis Bergkamp.

Gascoigne was replaced at half-time and England looked increasingly nervy until with four minutes remaining, Des Walker brought down Marc Overmars in the area. Peter van Vossen needed no second invitation to level the scores.

“We had a little bit of luck at Wembley," reflected Dutch boss Dick Advocaat. "It was a great game, with good football from both sides, and England nearly did enough."

His captain disagreed. “To come back like that was not luck. You have to give credit to the fighting qualities of the team. If we had lost that one, we would have been finished.”

Whether or not teams make their own luck, the result would ultimately prove vital to the Dutch qualifying for the 1994 World Cup – ahead of England, for whom this started a run of five games yielding only one win. “Coming back from 2-0 down in England really kept our hopes alive,” Bergkamp said. "It was a key result.”

Friendly, 23 March 1988: England 2-2 Netherlands
Five years and a month before The Battle of Wouters' Elbow, the teams again shared a 2-2 Wembley draw, this time in a friendly. Aged 25, Ronald Koeman – at the time the Eredivisie's leading scorer with 21 goals – ended up skippering his country for just the third time, but it would be another defender making the headlines.

Tony Adams would have the dubious honour of scoring at both ends, first equalising for the Dutch – converting a Wouters cross – after Gary Lineker had put England in front. John Bosman would give Holland the lead before Adams redeemed himself, heading in a second-half Trevor Steven free-kick to become the only England player to score for both sides.

At full-time the capacity crowd applauded the two sets of players off. This was the appetiser before the main course as three months later they would meet in Frankfurt. One of the notable absentees for Rinus Michels, who had won the European Cup here in 1971, was training in Milan in an ultimately successful bid to get fit for the finals. His name: Marco van Basten.

European Cup Final, 20 May 1992: Barcelona 1-0 Sampdoria
Wembley has always held a romanticism for Dutch players. Johan Cruyff showcased his breathtaking talent as his Ajax dismantled Panathinaikos in the 1971 European Cup final. “Playing at Wembley was something totally special because Wembley has always been different,” the legendary No.14 recalled. Twenty-one years later he would be back to guide FC Barcelona to their first European Cup title.

The image of him stepping over an advertising hoarding after his comptriot Ronald Koeman struck his free-kick is just as potent in the minds of Cules everywhere as the goal itself. “That win at Wembley is part of the fabric of Barcelona today,” Koeman reminisced.

In one of his post-match press conferences Cruyff would utter the phrase ‘en un moment dado’ [at a given moment]. The phrase never existed – he would often literally translate terms from Dutch into Spanish – but it has now entered the Spanish lexicon.

European Cup Final, 2 June 1971: Ajax 2-0 Panathinaikos
Cruyff's first European Cup success at Wembley was achieved without the one player who could challenge him for the title of the true Total Footballer: Ruud Krol. The left-back broke his leg in a league game against NEC, just before the European Cup semi-final against Atlético Madrid and the domestic Cup final against Sparta Rotterdam.

It was the lowest point in his career. As a result it robbed him of the opportunity of playing at the venue for his club. “Nowhere in the world is a venue noisier than Wembley,” he recollected. “And I was there, among the players, but they got to play and I could only watch. It was the hardest moment of my career. That feeling then and there, the sound, the excitement, that’s why you play football.”

Ajax would beat Ferenc Puskás's Greek champions 2-0. Once referee Jack Taylor brought the game to a close, a sea of Dutch fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate with their heroes. “Wembley has never seen scenes like this,” Kenneth Wolstenholme declared.

Friendlies, 14 January 1970: England 0-0 Netherlands
Krol made his international debut against England at the age of 20, in November 1969 in Amsterdam; the Dutch lost by a single goal. However he made amends in the reverse fixture two months later at Wembley, England's first game of the 1970s. It ended goalless, but after an imperious defensive display Francis Lee called Krol the finest left-back he'd ever faced.

Friendly, 9 February 1977: England 0-2 Netherlands
It would be seven years before Krol and ‘clockwork Oranje’ would return to North London, under new boss Jan Zwartkruis. In only his third game in charge, the former Dutch military XI coach would deliver Holland’s first win anywhere against England.

Roughly midway between two World Cup final appearances, a star-studded side that included Willy van de Kerkhof, Johan Neeskens, Johnny Rep, Rob Rensenbrink and Johan Cruyff were overshadowed by Jan Peters; having won 10 caps without a goal, the NEC midfielder scored a brace in a famous 2-0 victory.

England boss Don Revie was left in awe. “Holland were magnificent, the best international performance at Wembley since the Hungarians in 1953. They taught us a lesson. They showed us tonight how far we've got to go.”

Friendly, 25 May 1982: England 2-0 Netherlands
Five years later in May 1982, England would reverse the score in Krol’s last appearance at the stadium and his penultimate game for Oranje, Tony Woodcock and Paul Mariner condemning Kees Rijvers’ men.

Two of current Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk’s former AZ teammates, Hugo Hovenkamp and Kees Kist, played in the only Dutch triumph at Wembley. Hovenkamp is one of three Dutch internationals to make their debuts at the stadium (the other two are Peter Boeve in 1982 and Adick Koot in 1988).

Van Marwijk could add to that select group on Wednesday night: he has given debut call-ups to Ola John and Luciano Narsingh. But the coach may not think this is the time for experimentation: without a win in his last three matches the game takes on added significance.

With the European Championship a few months away, there’s an opportunity for the Dutch to record their second win at the home of football, but in the wider picture a chance to send a signal of intent as the clock ticks down to Poland and Ukraine.

Five points between the top six: Best title race ever?

2012-02-24T12:19:00Z

“It's not the despair, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand.” The words uttered by John Cleese in Clockwise have been echoed by football fans ever since.

As spring blooms, the Dutch championship race is taking shape. Unexpectedly, if not unpleasantly, six sides are in the hunt – making this the most exciting, unpredictable and competitive Eredivisie season in living memory.

With most teams having 12 games left, the top six are separated by just five points. Joint leaders PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar are two points clear of Heerenveen, with FC Twente (who have a game in hand), Feyenoord and defending champions Ajax each one point further back than the last. It's the first time in 55 years that six teams have been in such close contention.

Can any other competition claim this number of close challengers? Outside the Eredivisie, the gap between first and sixth is closest in France with 12pts. In Italy it's 13, in Germany 15, in England 18, in Portugal 19 and in Spain it's a huge 29.

If all six Dutch challengers want to win the title then ultimately five will end the season in despair, and although AZ, Heerenveen and Feyenoord can considered their title push an unexpected bonus, the longer they stay in contention the more their pride could turn to anguish.

There will be naysayers who question the division's quality, but that's grossly unfair. True, it’s not the strongest, but that has allowed the environment for six evenly matched teams to take shape. It's better than living in a duopoly.

Bubbly: Ajax celebrate the 2011 title. Who's next?

Every side has weaknesses as well as strengths but if the title-chasers continue to display deficiencies it can only be good for competition. It's unlikely that all six will take it to the wire but the longer there’s an open race, the bigger public interest will be.

Eredivisie Live, the pay-TV channel owned by all 18 clubs, already has more than 350,000 subscribers – making it the highest rating digital channel in the Netherlands – but with around seven million people actively interested in football there’s still potential for growth, and seeing more than three teams battling will only appease.

Nobody denies that there are stronger leagues in Europe, but their comparatively unequal distribution of wealth has led to only a few with realistic aspirations. Eredivisie managing director Frank Rutten is proud that the Dutch top flight is now more like the open German model than the duopolised Spanish one.

As Rutten notes, this wasn’t always the case in Holland: for most of this century's first decade, PSV won seven titles in nine years. Their regression has opened up the league, and not just to the rest of the traditional Big Three, Feyenoord and Ajax – no strangers themselves to hegemony: from 1965 to 2008 those three hoovered up 43 of the 44 Eredivisie titles.

Since PSV last lifted the title in 2008, three different teams have won the title – most recently Ajax, but before that AZ (for their second title) and then FC Twente (for their first). And now the four most recent champions have been joined in the hunt by Heerenveen and Feyenoord.

No one could have predicted Heerenveen's upturn: their 43-point haul is already two more than last season, when they finished 12th. Known over the last 15 years or so for punching above their weight, they're straining to be champions: “I think we can say the ‘C’ word,” as coach Ron Jans said after the win over NAC Breda made it seven victories in eight games, including five on the bounce. More impressively they’re the only side to score in the first 22 games of the campaign which is a record.

FEATURE Oct 19 2011: Great pretenders Heerenveen seek to climb back into contention

But Jans, who recently praised the Eredivisie's newfound competitiveness, is also cautious. “I don't count on it happening: other teams are stronger. We lack the maturity to totally control a game, even if individually we have a lot of quality. But you never know what could happen.”

Former Heerenveen boss Gertjan Verbeek has also surprised. His AZ side were disappointedly inconsistent last season, but this time the wide-open title race means they're right in there. That said, there’s the feeling they’ve not played like champions elect, and a recent winter slump of one win in six games cost them the opportunity to open up a nine-point gap.

AZ's Europa League success may have distracted them

Echoing Jans, Verbeek has said that the Eredivisie is no longer a "Mickey Mouse" league and that the eventual champions might require 85 points or thereabouts (12 more than champions Ajax needed last season). A bad time, then, for the Alkmaar side to take their foot off the gas and let bookmakers' favourites PSV draw level at the top.

Like AZ, Fred Rutten’s PSV have stuttered this season, but they possess the most dynamic and prolific attack. It could very well be the difference that ends their four-year wait for the title.

One of the major criticisms levelled at Rutten last year was his conservative nature: PSV were too reactive in their approach, especially when teams put them on the back foot. Lessons learnt from last season will still need to be shown, such as dealing with the pressure heading into the final months, but so far things have looked promising despite a recent setback in Groningen.

Ajax’s aspirations were pronounced dead after a home defeat to FC Utrecht, but as is so often the case they managed to find their way back into the title picture – and with a battered squad close to full recovery, Frank de Boer once again believes. Last season they managed to claw back a seven-point deficit with fewer games remaining than now.

Also preaching positivity is Steve McClaren, and no wonder: with 15 goals and three wins in his first four games back, FC Twente are hitting their stride just at the right time. One of the pre-season favourites (along with PSV and Ajax), they’ve quietly gone about their business – even under the hardly subtle Co Adriaanse. Much depends on the goals of Luuk de Jong, along with the creative influence of Ola John and Nacer Chadli.

The last contenders, and arguably biggest outsiders, are Feyenoord. The Rotterdammers' renaissance has captured the imagination: this time last year they were on the brink of relegation, but now Ronald Koeman – who took charge in summer – could become the first manager to win the championship with each of the Dutch big three.

FEATURE Feb 2 2012: Klassieker victory suggests a brighter future lies ahead for Feyenoord

Winning the title will be a tall order, but for Feyenoord even being a contender means the season is already deemed a success. The priority for this campaign was getting back into European football; can the club afford to get sucked into the hype and hope?

This weekend sees four of the challengers meet: Heerenveen travel to AZ and Feyenoord travel to PSV (where last season they were mauled 10-0). Meanwhile, fourth-placed Twente will expect to beat midtable visitors Utrecht and sixth-placed Ajax will want to win at second-bottom Excelsior.

The right combination of results could see the top six condensed into a three-point zone. Then we most certainly will be entering squeaky-bum time.

Klassieker victory suggests a brighter future lies ahead for Feyenoord

2012-02-02T17:13:00Z

A fixture that has historically often decided championships did so again. Ajax left Rotterdam aggrieved, and did so with their hopes of retaining the title now hanging by a thread.

A hat-trick by John Guidetti, on loan from Manchester City, condemned the Amsterdammers to a 4-2 defeat, their first in the league against the De Kuip outfit in six years.

Feyenoord’s victory over their most bitter rivals was their third consecutive home win. The last two happened to be against the other members of last season’s top three: PSV and FC Twente, the aggregate score reading 9-4 in their favour.

In truth, Feyenoord have been a club transformed over the last 12 months. This time last year the Rotterdam giants were hovering just above the relegation zone. In the last few months respectability has been restored to a club that stared into the abyss and survived.

Ronald Koeman, who took over in July, has added steel, dynamism and creativity, but there is still room for improvement.

“The squad is comfortable in dealing with the trainer. The feeling is good in the group," captain Ron Vlaar said. "We are developing rapidly as a unit and I believe that we are more stable than last season."

In their most recent victory, the Rotterdam club were relentless in their pressing of Ajax, and picked them off on the counter. This has been their approach for much of the season, yet they still seem to struggle to motivate themselves against the ‘lesser’ sides.

For example, the defeat away to bottom side VVV at the start of the year may have scuppered any slim hopes of being involved in a championship race. But perhaps their victory in de Klassieker will make up for it.

“We have waited so long. This is great for the club. I am so happy for Rotterdam,” Koeman beamed, having preserved his unbeaten record in this fixture, which now stands at eight games.

Koeman’s appointment – following the departure of Mario Been at the end of last season – was seen as a gamble, but there was justification, given his record with youthful squads especially in the Netherlands.

"It's a real people's club – there's always something going on," Koeman enthused.

"But it's a club with good organisation, a talented squad and ambition. The latter is very important: I am a no-nonsense figure and completely suited to the playing style and vision of the club."

He also made history, becoming the first man to play for Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord, and also coach all three. His return to Rotterdam parallels his playing career in that his arrival was met with a few disgruntled grumbles, even if many of the club’s fans were willing to give him a crack. The cheerleaders were helped by his decision to enlist two former club greats - Jean-Paul van Gastel and Giovanni van Bronckhorst - as assistant coaches.

"Needless to say, Feyenoord is a splendid club for me to pick up the thread again as head coach," announced the younger Koeman. "It is my firm conviction that we are able to surprise this season. There is indeed plenty of quality and talent in this young squad."

In recent years, off the field clashes have marred the rivalry. Away fans have been barred from attending the fixture since 2009 as a result of increased hooliganism. The ban is expected to be lifted in 2014, with pleas to the Dutch FA for the ban to end early likely to fall on deaf ears.

The tribalism was again evident in the build-up to the most recent meeting, with Koeman enraged by a tweet made by Ajax full-back Gregory van der Wiel.

In less than 140 characters, the highly-rated Dutch international fullback wrote “020 is de baas in 010.” In other words ‘Amsterdam is the boss in Rotterdam’, the numbers representing the area code of both cities.

Koeman felt this seemingly innocuous spot of e-taunting could stoke the flames of aggression in what was already set to be a volatile atmosphere.
“It’s up to the KNVB and Ajax to intervene, if that was one of my players, I would have imposed sanctions,” he said. “This statement by Van der Wiel was stupid. It’s not the first time he’s done something foolish.”

Van der Wiel missed Sunday’s match, so didn’t feel the full brunt of the enraged Rotterdam faithful, or of his side’s defeat. He wasn’t the only senior defender missing; Toby Alderweireld and Andre Ooijer were added to the list of casualties which already included Nicolai Boilesen. Ajax coach Frank De Boer was even forced to take part in training to even up the numbers, and didn’t look out of place.

There were half-hearted appeals from supporters for him to come out of retirement, initially in jest. During Sunday afternoon many of them will have genuinely wished he had dusted off his boots and taken to the pitch. The constant changing of the backline has mostly played its part in Ajax struggling this season.

Koeman had earmarked the defence as Ajax’s weak point, and this assertion was justified. Yet it was the away side that drew first blood, with Christian Eriksen capping off a brilliant counter-attack. Not since November 1991 have Feyenoord kept a clean sheet against their foe, a staggering 41 games ago.

Then came the turning point of the game. Jan Vertonghen thought he had won the ball cleanly from Guidetti in the penalty area, but was dismayed when referee Bjàrn Kuipers pointed to the spot. The Swede dusted himself down and converted to level the scores.

Kuipers defended his decision during a post-match interview on Dutch television, however after watching the footage he admitted it could have gone either way, though he remained adamant it didn’t change the game.

Vertonghen was incensed, but De Boer, though unhappy with the decision, calmly accepted it and felt the three points could have still been won. Not for the first time he questioned his more senior players, notably Eriksen, who failed to take the contest by the scruff of the neck, despite hitting the opener.

Ajax once again controlled possession for large patches of the first half, with Feyenoord seemingly willing to wait to pounce on the counter.

It is damning that Ajax have taken just five points from a possible 18 in their matches against AZ, PSV, FC Twente and Feyenoord so far this season. And that may be more than deserved judging by some of their performances in those matches.

They fell behind shortly before the interval when Guidetti bagged his second of the game, netting after Ajax keeper Vermeer had parried Bakkal's header.

If De Boer was expecting a response from his still incensed side after the break, he didn’t get it. Otman Bakkal doubled Feyenoord’s lead shortly after the re-start and, although Feyenoord keeper Erwin Mulder gifted Dmitri Bulykin a second for the visitors, Guidetti completed his hat-trick and the scoring with eight minutes remaining.

In the aftermath of the win, the hattrick hero – Rotterdam’s new son and cult icon - dedicated the victory to the boisterous support. Koeman was quick to lavish praise on the Swede who, despite his tender age of 19, has quickly become the player the manager and fans can rely on, with 14 goals in 13 league games.

But the Manchester City loanee isn’t the only Feyenoord youngster making a big splash. Guidetti’s rise has coincided with the emergence of midfielder Jordy Clasie, who was shielded from last season’s chaos at De Kuip while serving a loan spell on the other side of the city with Excelsior.

Educated at the club, he was loaned out to get valuable game time. The chances of him featuring under Been appeared slim but, given the likelihood of one or two midfielders departing, Feyenoord were appeared likely to throw him in the following season instead of dipping into the transfer market.

This was not least because Clasie is blessed with natural talent. His development has impressed many, especially those with the future of the national team in mind. His style of play - keeping possession, circulating the ball, ingenuity and exemplary passing - has earned him the nickname ‘the Xavi of De Kuip’, with the Spaniard being his idol and reference.

“I want to be like him,” Clasie has perhaps unsurprisingly stated. “Xavi is unplayable in everything he does.”

Given his height – 5ft5 – Clasie should also take inspiration from the fashion in which the Barcelona man has shown size isn’t a hindrance. Those that felt he wouldn’t make it as a professional are starting to tuck into their humble pie. Despite his relative inexperience he’s already of the key components in Koeman's side. The conductor of this rejuvenated Feyenoord and was again at the heart of the action against the enemy.

Before the game De Boer declared his side the stronger of the two, claiming, without a hint of irony, that Feyenoord were inconsistent. Those words came back to haunt him. Although they went into the game five points off the leaders – now seven – this masked what has been a ropey campaign.

Koeman dismissed Ajax’s chances of winning the league, labelling them vulnerable - few would disagree with him. However, the remaining fixtures look appeasing, and if any club can come back from the dead, it’s them. However, with PSV and FC Twente starting to hit their strides, it might be too little too late.

While at the start of 2011 trepidation engulfed De Kuip, in 2012 it’s tranquillity. For Koeman, the longer this newly-found team spirit remains, the better.

McClaren's Twente return could prove the best January comeback of all

2012-01-19T09:00:00Z

“You don't know what you've got until it’s gone.” No saying is more relevant to FC Twente right now. After 18 months of separation, the club’s adopted son Steve McClaren has made a surprising, but welcome return.

His departure in the summer of 2010 after guiding the club to the first ever Eredivisie title came as a blow, in fact it was almost as big a surprise as his arrival in 2008.

After that infamous rainy night at Wembley which saw his England side fail to qualify for Euro 2008, there was a period of soul searching for McClaren. He travelled Europe meeting coaches, including Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona, to discuss the game and try and decipher where he had gone wrong.

Although at that stage his stock back in England couldn’t have got much lower, his earlier performances at Middlesbrough - on a budget, but most importantly with an emphasis on the development of local youngsters - had already convinced Twente chairman Joop Munsterman that the McClaren was the man for his club.

Just under seven months after he had been made the scapegoat for all of English football’s failings, McClaren was appointed manager of a club who were far from a household name back in his homeland.

By the time he left, he had become the first English manager to win a major European league title since Sir Bobby Robson had done so with FC Porto in 1996. However unlike the genial Geordie, he didn’t hang around to try and win back-to-back championships. At the time it was thought this was so to avoid tarnishing a legacy, but as time has passed there has been a realisation that the work he started has not yet been finished.

In the long-term it hasn’t been fatal - in his absence Twente managed to consolidate as one of the leading three sides in the Netherlands - but this was naturally a step down from being champions. In his two seasons with Twente, McClaren took the club to frontiers that had previously been imaginable for a provisional outfit; they were challenging the established elite.

In departing, McClaren left a lasting imprint which successor Michel Preud'homme attempted to alter – and he did – but it wasn’t the Twente of 2008-10.

A side renowned for its vigour and creativity was replaced by a more robust outfit that, although still favouring attacking football, lacked the same zest.

Preud'homme left last summer and his replacement ‘Psycho’ Co Adriaanse – one of footballs most hard-headed individuals - a move always seen by most observers as the risk the risk it ultimately proved to be.

For those solely looking at the league table his dismissal might come across a bizarre decision. Twente aren’t doing too badly, third in the league with five points separating them and leaders AZ, and through to the last 32 of the Europa League. The one blemish was their agonising extra time exit from the Dutch Cup at the hands of PSV.

With the results generally being satisfactory, what ultimately sealed Co Adriaanse’s fate was his demeanour and working relationship.

No stranger to strained relationships, Adriaanse was reported to have fallen out with the players over his tactics and training methods. “There was no chemistry between Co and the players,” he said. “I cannot go deeper than that. But I, personally, never had problems with Co.”

Adriaanse is never afraid to put his point across and events in recent weeks, including a tirade against sections of the football media, might just have been the final straw. What it does say, albeit subtly, is that Munsterman made a rare error in judgement.

Munsterman, who along with Herman Wessels saved the club from liquidation during the 2002/03 season, has been a leading light in business and football administration, with the way he has run his club seen as something of an example to the rest of Dutch football.

The decision to opt for McClaren wasn’t the most difficult and the Englishman jumped at the chance to return after disappointing tenures at VfL Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest. In his first press conference back it was noteworthy McClaren made the point to stress the importance of the chairman in his decision and how both share the same vision for FC Twente. A growing club in his eyes one that has accelerated in the time he’s been away.

He also reserved special praise for the supporters, who took to him immediately in his first stint, brushing up on their English football chants to make him feel at home.

McClaren inherits a squad much changed to the one he left. Only eight players remain from his last season. However his arrival been welcomed even by those who hadn’t previously worked under him.

The trio of Blaise Nkufo, Kenneth Pérez and Bryan Ruiz, who combined accounted for 41 of the 63 goals scored in their title-winning season, have moved to pastures new.

The squad may be different, but more importantly it’s still one of the more talented groups in the league. Luuk de Jong, who was handed his debut by McClaren, has developed into the brightest young striker in the Eredivisie. A sign of a good goal scorer is improvement on his tally as each season goes by. In his third for FC Twente he’s currently two behind the twelve he managed last season.

His decision to stay, turning down a move to Fiorentina, was no doubt met with a sigh of relief. Aside from the Italians, as each week goes by it seems a new suitor is being mooted. Although he’s keeping his feet on the ground, he hasn’t ruled out making a move to a foreign league when the time is right.

One of the major tactical decisions made by Adriaanse in his short stay was moving Nacer Chadli from a wide position to a central playmaking role.

To an extent it has worked, as the Belgian has thrived as a creative force in the middle of the park. In some ways his roles in his first two years at the club mirrors both Ruiz and Pérez. With Ola John and Emir Bajrami occupying the flanks it’s likely he’ll continue through the centre. His link-up play with De Jong was one of the more promising sights as the 2011 came to a close.

The defence, featuring the ever present Peter Wisgerhof, club captain Roberto Rosales, Douglas and Dwight Tiendalli, represent one of the more consistent back-lines in the division. And sitting just in front of them are Denny Landzaat and Wout Brama, who provide the steel, dynamism and much needed verve to strike the right balance between defence and attack which the team does collectively.

Expectations for the rest of the season are mixed: Munsterman has gone on record as being willing to settle for a top four finish. However his manager believes the championship is still a realistic goal.

"The competition is very strong this year. PSV have grown and are very good. AZ are developing and manager Gertjan Verbeek is doing a good job there," McClaren said in his press conference.

“Ajax will always be strong in the second half of the season so will Feyenoord and Vitesse are also growing. But my aim is to make sure we are in contention in the last five games."

His first spell began with a 1-1 draw away to Roda JC, and only goalkeeper Nikolay Mihailov, Douglas and Brama remain from that game. The second chapter of his relationship with the club starts at home to RKC Waalwijk.

As soon as the focus of the cameras is taken off McClaren, the real work will begin. In a month of greats returning to the clubs of their former glories, McClaren’s comeback may be the only long-term fairytale, and one to keep an eye on.

De Boer balances his influences to take Ajax back to basics

2011-12-20T12:44:00Z

Frank de Boer sat there, in his own word "helpless", as Ajax crashed out of this season’s Champions League with defeat to Real Madrid. A year to the day since his appointment, it was the coach's 50th match and his 10th defeat, his second at home.

The defeat – to De Boer's former Barcelona coach Jose Mourinho – was all the more painful given the circumstances: the Amsterdam side had two perfectly legitimate goals disallowed at critical stages of the game.

However, at least De Boer could afford to look back and say the seeds for a brighter future had already been sown. Ajax, at least on the pitch, look to be on good footing, with their coach constantly evolving his tactics and taking inspiration from former coaches as well as an ex-teammate.

As he entered his first press conference as coach, De Boer had outlined his objectives in the most clear and concise way possible. To him, the brand of football Ajax had been playing under Martin Jol was partly responsible for the stagnation of the current crop of players.

"We had to ensure that the players bought into this idea again, and rid themselves of a certain apathy that was evident on the field," he explained. "That was the feeling I had when I watched games from the stands. The full-backs rarely moved up the pitch and the centre-backs kept pumping long balls forward, when they should in fact be free to dribble if the situation calls for it, and re-launch an attack properly."

Almost immediately, with just a few hours of training and a slight tactical tweak, the first signs of a change presented themselves in his first game in charge: the 2-0 win over AC Milan at the San Siro. "We played following the Ajax philosophy," De Boer said afterwards, "with wingers and a real No.10 – and everyone did well at the job they were assigned beforehand. The wingers kept the field broad, and came in at the right times."

In the months that followed that result, there was a gradual move from a 4-2-3-1 to an orthodox 4-3-3. "When it comes to playing football, movement on the field and attacking, I am close to Johan Cruyff’s philosophy," De Boer explained, with a slight difference: "I like the 4-3-3 formation. I know you need the right players for that, but if you want to find them, then you will."

In truth, his philosophy is a mash-up of Johan Cruyff and Louis van Gaal (who in turn both adapted theirs from Rinus Michels). The way he wants his side to play is reflected in both. His coaching methods are akin to former coach Van Gaal – for example, meticulously analysing his opponents and then relaying that information in a classroom to his players, although he has so far left the notebook in the dressing room rather than taking it with him to the dugout.

"What's up with using a notebook?"

One of the major criticisms of Jol was his inability to play with wingers. In fairness to him, it’s been a while since Ajax did: some say since Marc Overmars and Finidi George rampaged down the flanks.

The imperative of playing with out-and-out wide men has seen the likes of Miralem Sulejmani not just improve but became crucial components. As well as the system changing, so has the build-up: no longer is the team heavily dependent on the counter-attack and long balls.

Instead the aim is to constantly develop short passing into circulation football. The attack starts from the back, with the goalkeeper. Kenneth Vermeer has inspired much debate this season, but despite some notable errors – FC Utrecht away springs to mind – he has remained De Boer's No.1 choice. Like his compatriot Michel Vorm at Swansea, Vermeer seldom kicks the ball long: even under pressure, it’s always a pass to either centre-back or full-back.

This way of playing is nothing new at Ajax. When Cruyff took over in 1985, his first act was to find a goalkeeper capable of playing football: he found one in Stanley Menzo one of the first sweeper-keepers. He would continue under Van Gaal, but lose his spot after a 1993 UEFA Cup nightmare in Auxerre, where he conceded a goal direct from a corner kick; from then on the ‘ice rabbit’ Edwin van der Sar would take the gloves.

CRUYFF v VAN GAAL, INDIVIDUAL v TEAM
Cruyff’s vision is the backbone of the club, and some of his tactical innovations returned this season. The 3-3-1-3 formation, used throughout his tenure at the club and adopted by Van Gaal, became the staple of Ajax: renowned worldwide, it even reached South America and inspired Marcelo Bielsa who fell in love with the team of the mid-90s.

And in a cup game this year against lowly VV Noordwijk, the system made its comeback. A back three of Toby Alderweireld, Andre Ooijer and Jan Vertonghen – all Ajax graduates and therefore familiar with the formation at youth level – has even got De Boer hinting he might continue playing this way on a regular basis in the near future, mainly due to how it allows his midfield to control possession as well as the ebb and flow of the game.

De Boer's explanation for using it then, and subsequently against Roda JC twice in the cup and league, was that it's the best way to combat sides playing with two forwards – a similar reasoning forwarded by Michels. Indeed, the legendary Dutch coach's belief in individual training has been a prominent feature under the current coach.

“The individual cleverness of the players was missing when I first got here," says De Boer, who returned in 2006 as a youth team coach. “The individual action at the highest level is essential. We are now in training much more individualised. That is so important.”

This is where Van Gaal and Cruyff start to differ. Though the two have similar domineering personalities, they are very different under the surface. At the heart of the recent power struggle is a clash of ideologies, with either side claiming their brand of football to be superior – and suitable for Ajax. "Of course, Louis van Gaal has an understanding of football," Cruyff said. "But we have a clear difference in approach."

Cruyff, De Boer & Van Gaal: Ajax's internal triangle

A good example is the development of players and running the youth programme. Van Gaal is accused of allowing the deterioration of Ajax's academy from the mid-1990s onwards. As a coach, his way of thinking is on the side of the collective; this also applies to the development of players and what is often seen as a militaristic approach to team building.

By contrast, Cruyff believes in the individual. He is an ardent proponent of what's known as the 'Michels model' – including individual training, in which character building is as much as important as skill development. The idea is that at critical stages of a match, instead of relying on others, the player solves the predicament himself. Talent is one thing, but it's better employed with a football brain.

Under Van Gaal, Ajax moved away from this approach. No wonder Cruyff has said of Van Gaal: "I do not think he can make Ajax a top club again. He will get results short-term, but things have to change in order to improve Ajax."

In recent years Cruyff has lambasted previous regimes for putting profit ahead of the quality of football. It was as if Ajax had become a football training centre designed to develop players and sell them off to the highest bidder. Any ambition of reaching the heights of yesteryear was gone.

Cruyff's problem is that he can be too much of an idealist. The club found themselves in that position because of the changing economic climate of an increasingly globalised game, especially after the Bosman ruling meant clubs could lose players they'd spent years developing without receiving any recompense.

Of the side which won the 1995 Champions League, Patrick Kluivert, Winston Bogarde and Michael Reiziger were all lured on free transfers to defeated finalists AC Milan alone; after a single poor year in Italy, Kluivert moved to Barcelona for nearly £9m. Ajax were clearly being short-changed, and to avoid that, they had to sell players before contracts ran down.

However, Cruyff's critique hints at a deep problem in trying to marry this new economic reality with the Ajax traditions. If a player of quality was to depart, he would need to be replaced by one of similar ilk, so the club is left with two options: to develop academy players, or to scout and sign them. Priding themselves on their brand of football, Ajax had always preferred the former option, but not enough genuine talents were coming through – not enough for any long-term planning.

Cruyff brings in his wingmen

Asked about the recent boardroom tussle between the two opposing views, De Boer couldn’t bring himself to side with one over the other – perhaps understandably, considering the situation shows no sign of clear resolution as Cruyff and his lawyers hit the courts to block Van Gaal's appointment.

HALF-TIME ORANJE, Thu 17 Nov: Civil war looms as Ajax appoint Van Gaal behind Cruyff's back

However, in a recent interview with Voetbal International it seems he’s chosen Cruyff. “My biggest concern is the performance of the first team. That should not be compromised by the troubles at the club,” De Boer said. “I think it’s clear to everyone what Cruyff’s vision is and we should follow that direction. It would be very strange after a few months to take another path.”

AMSTERDAM TO BARCELONA AND BACK
Another source of inspiration for De Boer is Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who keeps in regular contact with his former Camp Nou team-mate. One of the many positives of the Catalan club's recent superiority is how much their brand of football owes to the Dutch school. As pass-master Xavi admits, "Our model was imposed by Cruyff: it's an Ajax model."

The one aspect of the current Barcelona team that has greatly impressed De Boer is their ‘pressure play’ – also a feature of Van Gaal’s Ajax – when not on the ball: from losing possession to regaining it in mere seconds. It's something he’s starting to introduce, but the whole way the team plays has captivated him.

“In the modern game, you tend to dominate if you have eight or nine players behind the ball, just like Barça,” notes the coach. “Leaving two wingers up front glued to the touchline doesn’t help an awful lot. You have to be dynamic, full of movement. Keeping possession of the ball seems like a silly thing to say on paper, but on grass it’s actually even more important than it sounds.”

Twin brother Ronald, now also coaching at Ajax, notes that during their spell at Barcelona Guardiola made clear his love of Dutch football. "He always talked about total football, forward pressing, about what Johan [Cruyff] taught him and about Dutch players. Pep has that urge to attack and to dominate, a bit like the Dutch play.”

Before he took the Ajax job, Frank de Boer paid a visit to Guardiola, where he studied his training sessions as well as having an in-depth conversation about the Barcelona blueprint. It’s not often the Dutch side looks elsewhere for a reference, but with Cruyff’s vision clearly thriving at the Catalan club, it’s a stellar example that Ajax can go back to their basics.

And so far that is exactly what is happening, on and off the pitch. The old saying that Rome wasn't built in a day is appropriate in Amsterdam today. As he enters his second year, with his team as defending league champions, De Boer can be content; asked if he dreams of taking the Oranje or Barcelona job, he smiles and politely replies that his only dream is to remain at Ajax for 10 years.

Heerenveen's new defensive starlet set to shine on the biggest stage

2011-12-09T17:26:00Z

It should have been all about Roy Beerens, the AZ winger returning to former club Heerenveen with a point to prove, however he was left disappointed.

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk, in attendance, still left the game with a good impression. Not of Beerens, but rather of the virtuoso display of a growing hero in the Friesland province - Jeffrey Gouweleeuw.

With so many attacking options on display, it came from the area of the pitch that has often been a concern to him, making it all the more intriguing. As the game drew to a close, the defender received a standing ovation, as well as the man-of-the-match award.

Most unusual given his side won comfortably and came under minimal pressure from the opposition’s forwards, but in this case vindicated. This wasn’t the first time the Heerenveen natives have sung Gouweleeuw's praises.

The 20-year-old’s injury time equaliser at Vitesse in October maintained their unbeaten run, which has since been extended to 12 games, equalling a club record. But it was his most recent outing, a 5-1 victory over league leaders AZ, that really had observers sitting up and taking notice.

Heerenveen stifled Gertjan Verbeek’s side’s usual rhythm, not allowing them any time to breathe let alone play their game, Adam Maher’s substitution just before half-time noted by Heerenveen coach Ron Jans as a small victory, with the visiting playmaker never getting into the game.

In his post-match press conference Verbeek analysed his side’s defeat in the style of a Christmas poem, growling that Santa Claus wouldn’t understand football. One line read “Therefore Gertjan grieve not, always say what you think, it’s always best.”

This followed a curious incident a couple of days previously, when he responded angrily to being asked whether the goalless draw against Malmö in the Europa League was an ‘off-day’. He succinctly clarified it wasn’t and stormed off in anger.

It’s perhaps too early to say whether the pressure is getting to him or if this is an act designed to deflect attention away from his team as they enter a critical period. But it’s entertaining nonetheless.

Before kick-off Beerens was presented with flowers and a portrait of him during his time at the club. Verbeek took the time to make a beeline for Heerenveen forward Bas Dost, offering a handshake. No one will be surprised if the Dutch under-21 international is linked with a move to Alkmaar once the transfer window is reopened.

If Verbeek wasn’t a fan before the match, by the end he would have a far better idea of exactly how dangerous he can be. Not long into the game, unmarked, Dost gave his side the lead. Jozy Altidore put AZ back on level terms after a neat one-two with Brett Holman, but it was to be the only bright spot of a largely turgid performance.

A blistering counterattack saw Rajiv van La Parra putting the hosts back infront on the half hour. Filip Đuričić and Ramon Zomer both snatched goals early in the second half, before Luciano Narsingh provided the icing on the cake by making it five late on, condemning AZ to only their second league defeat of the season.

But it was Gouweleeuw who really stood out. His run from deep in the first half resulted in an effort going a whisker over, before Đuričić and Zomer’s goals were both wonderfully assisted by the defender: the first a lob from near the halfway line which he followed up moments later with a left footed cross from just outside the penalty area.

“We knew we could beat AZ, we didn’t fear them,” he said after the game. “We started the match full of confidence and we knew we could catch them out.”

He’ll blow hot and cold, given his age, how he reacts when things are not going well will be a test of character. Already he’s fought back after losing his place in the team having suffered an injury early in the season.

Having talent alone is no guarantee of success. Playing in his role, especially at such a young age, carries great responsibility. His personality suggests he is an individual focused striving to be strong mentally as well as physically.

His technical attributes are reminiscent of Dutch defenders of yesteryear. In a recent interview he compared his style to that of Gerard Piqué, explaining that he’d rather his vision, skill on the ball, passing and reading of the game be recognised than his physical attributes.

Team-mate and fellow defender Michel Breuer favourably compared him to another World Cup winner. “He has something extra, intercepts and brings the ball out from the back like Lúcio.”

Much has been said of the national team’s current crop of centre backs, with rather strong criticism following the recent humbling at the hands of Germany. A dearth of real defensive quality has seen the current incumbents Johnny Heitinga and Joris Mathijsen, though not the greatest individually, forge a competent partnership. But it is one that doesn’t have much time left.

The emergence of Gouweleeuw, who only made his senior debut at the backend of last season, as well as Chelsea’s Jeffrey Bruma – currently on loan at Hamburg - and Stefan de Vrij of Feyenoord will make any transition after next summer’s tournament smooth.

Ron Jans, while not offering to recite a poem, did wax lyrical about Gouweleeuw, labelling him ‘the star of tomorrow’. It may not have been the return to Heerenveen he had envisaged, but Beerens should at least take solace from the fact his country’s defensive future is bright.

Meet the 18-year-old "Dutch Fabregas"

2011-12-02T14:38:00Z

Precocious talent is nothing new in the Eredivisie: every season one seems to emerge from obscurity. No exception with the latest off the production line, whose rise has coincided with his team's resurgence. In a short space of time the supremely gifted AZ prodigy Adam Maher has gone from a relative unknown to the name everyone is talking about.

Inconsistency was the byword in Alkmaar last season, Gertjan Verbeek’s side never able to string enough wins together to trouble the three sides above them. With a third of the season gone, the consistency that eluded them has been found, and AZ are setting the pace.

After their only league defeat, at FC Twente, they bounced back in style, winning 10 out of the next 11 games. The run has been built on a solid defence: they've only conceded five goals in that period, and only eight overall this season – just two at home. By contrast, defending champions Ajax have already let in 22.

However, AZ aren't known for being a dourly defensive side – and despite the defensive diligence, they're not this season either. Indeed, with 30 goals they’re the fourth-highest scorers. Verbeek has struck the right balance and AZ hold a three-point lead, with a game in hand – well, 45 minutes, after their match with Excelsior was abandoned at half-time due to fog.

Importantly a few of the players and staff who won the 2008/09 Eredivisie title under Louis van Gaal still remain, including assistant coach Martin Haar, who has sung the praises of emerging star Maher with a lofty comparison: “In terms of creativity he reminds me of Cesc Fabregas.”

Huge praise indeed for an 18-year-old in his breakthrough season, but a comparison that shouldn’t be dismissed. Although not yet anywhere near the class of the Spaniard, Maher's natural talent and correct attitude have given many the belief that he could attain a similar level.

There’s an air of confidence about a player blessed with all the right technical attributes: agility, mobility, dribbling, close control and exceptional passing with both feet. He’s displayed maturity beyond his years, is never afraid to demand the ball – and rarely gives it away. Once in possession he distributes it effectively and efficiently, whether delivering a key pass that slices up a stubborn defence or one that brings his team-mates into play.

You'll frequently find Maher playing between the lines in his favoured trequartista role, although his licence to roam means he often drifts out wide where his pace has troubled full-backs. And like Fabregas, he is gaining strength through flexibility: he’s shown the discipline to play in a deeper role, as a controlling playmaker, with added defensive responsibilities. But it’s further up the pitch where he causes the most damage.

That was evident at Heracles, with the scores goalless and fulltime approaching, Maher looked crowded out inside the penalty area, as he began to weave – the ball glued to his feet – the seconds ticked down, still he found enough space to stab it past Remko Pasveer.

It was the stuff of champions, but Verbeek – who before this season had never managed a table-topping team – wouldn’t be drawn to such talk. He has since changed his tune slightly; after a comfortable 4-0 home win over Den Haag, in which Maher again starred – scoring and creating another – the manager remained cautious but could start to envisage his current side as realistic champions.

More than anything he recognises the leap from fourth to first is a big one; his side has also yet to enter a dip in form, and once they do the sides breathing down their necks – PSV look the strongest – could very well capitalise.

"A contender? Well we are strong," Verbeek admitted. "We must make sure we keep this level until the winter break. If we still have this advantage then we could create something beautiful. But only then would we consider the title."

The early-season loss of Maarten Martens to injury should have hit them hard. The Belgian winger, an instrumental figure in the side, scored their opening goal of the season, in a 3-1 home win against PSV. The effects of his absence have been limited partly by Maher’s emergence.

In the same game – coming on for Martens – the youngster provided the assist, a neat chipped cross from the byline, for Jozy Altidore. Only Rasmus Elm has been more creative than Maher, and the Swede was at hand to assist the 18-year-old for his first goal this season at VVV Venlo.

Maher's performances have already attracted attention from sides outside the Netherlands including AC Milan, Manchester City, Lyon and even Barcelona. When asked about the interest he smiled but reiterated, like many in their formative years, that he wants to stay at his current club and continue his development. In some ways, being linked with such clubs could spur him on to become the player many feel he can be.

Born in Diemen, east of Amsterdam in 1993, Maher joined AZ's youth academy in 2004 after turning out for SV Diemen and AVV Zeeburgia. He made his senior debut last December, coming on as a substitute in a Europa League tie against FK BATE Borisov and having an instant impact by scoring in a 3-0 win. At the age of 17 years and 147 days he became the youngest Dutchman to score in European competition.

His Moroccan parentage makes him eligible to represent the North African country at international level. However his father has advised him to choose Oranje. At the moment he’s not made a decision, choosing to instead concentrate on playing for the Netherlands U21 side, for whom he again scored on his debut against their Scottish counterparts.

The day after AZ’s latest win, a 2-0 home victory over FC Utrecht, the shortlist was announced for this year’s Golden Boy award – which names the finest under-21s in Europe. Maher wasn't on it this time, but if he continues at his current rate there’s every chance he could be vying for the accolade 12 months from now. Not bad for a boy who only made his debut 12 months ago.

Jol and Psycho Co clash again in battle of ethos

2011-12-01T16:33:00Z

When Fulham and FC Twente played their opening Europa League group game at Craven Cottage in September, Martin Jol and Co Adriaanse looked to have put aside any past animosity. But at full-time, the handshake that never was showed that their two-decade relationship still had some residue of frost – a distance that’s never been personal, but philosophical.

After a pulsating end-to-end affair ended in a 1-1 draw, Andy Johnson’s opener being cancelled out by Luuk de Jong, it was the picture at the end of Jol approaching his one-time manager and being left standing there that spoke a thousand words.

Detached Cottage: Jol and Adriaanse in September

“I have nothing against Co,” Jol had said before the game. That was a stark contrast to his first month as Ajax manager, when Adriaanse took to the airwaves as a pundit to add a dose of his famous constructive criticism, focusing on Jol’s preferred attire on the bench, a baseball cap and tracksuit, which he deemed “unworthy of Ajax”.

To Jol’s credit, he took it in his stride and simply retorted that Adriaanse had had his own style when on the Ajax bench – reminding him of his ill-fated time in Amsterdam. Adriaanse, not one to let things go, moved on from the fashion policing to critiquing Jol's choice of tactics and style of play.

During the review of the same game – the 4-3 loss at PSV Eindhoven on 16 August 2009 – the choice to move Jan Vertonghen into midfield irked Adriaanse, to which Jol responded that the Belgian is more than capable of filling the role and all his criticism showed was his ignorance of the current Ajax players as a result of being away from the Netherlands for so long; Adriaanse left AZ in 2005 and coached in Portugal, Ukraine, Qatar and Austria before coming home to Twente this June.

HALF-TIME ORANJE, 29 June 2011: 'Psycho Co' Adriaanse back in the Dutch big time

More recently Adriaanse reiterated his belief that Jol never ‘expressed’ the desire to play football from the Dutch school. He’s not alone in that line of thinking, although it does come out as very righteous and narrow-minded to suggest it’s compulsory to play a single brand of football used by his predecessors who happen to share the same nationality.

Indeed, it's a bit rich coming from Adriaanse, whose own demise at Ajax in 2001 was partly caused by his bitter admission that he didn’t have the right players to play 4-3-3 (and partly by his falling out with the fifth column whose shadow presides over the club – a fate that would also befall Jol a decade later).

 
Adriaanse at Ajax (column not pictured)

At the various Dutch clubs Jol has managed, expansive free-flowing football may have played into opposition hands – given that at Roda JC and RKC Waalwijk he was always either fighting a relegation battle or consolidating mid-table status. The pragmatism he introduced enabled his Waalwijk side to enjoy one of their best spells in the top division, as well as tasting European football.

It’s often the case in the Eredivisie that lowly sides try to take the game to their superiors – which frequently has detrimental consequences in the shape of a drubbing. This was highlighted by former AZ captain Stijn Schaars, now at Sporting CP in Lisbon, when comparing the differences between the respective top flights in Portugal and his homeland.

Once Jol moved to the Ajax goldfish bowl in 2009, many observers saw it as an interesting choice given he was interviewed alongside Frank Rijkaard and Morten Olsen. Rijkaard had played for Ajax and coached Barcelona, whose vision is akin to the style Ajax have always tried to propagate, while Olsen had already enjoyed a successful late-90s season at Ajax before leaving due to internal differences (again, a victim of the fifth column).

It's noteworthy that Adriaanse was also on the shortlist – and was bypassed for one of his ex-players. Jol played under 'Psycho Co' for one season at ADO Den Haag, where they initially fell out over tactics.

It’s no secret that Adriaanse felt he had unfinished business with the Dutch giants. A former youth team coach under Louis van Gaal, he felt he was more qualified to be at the helm than Jol, who like Olsen is one of the club's few non-Amsterdam/Ajax-associated managers over the past 30 years. In truth, Jol's outsiderness quickly became a stick to beat him with whenever the club entered a sticky patch.

So it was no surprise that Adriaanse was one of the leading disapproving voices regarding Jol’s tenure in his final months. His choice of playing a 4-2-3-1 reliant on counter-attacking, coupled with what at times was a 4-4-2, was the straw that broke the camel’s back for the likes of Marc Overmars, Johan Cruyff and Frank de Boer and the call for change was intensified.

"He's here! Hide!"

Before Ajax’s opening Champions League game against Lyon, defender Toby Alderweireld also entered the debate, criticising Jol for basing the team around one or two players (notably Luis Suárez). By contrast, current manager De Boer's more fluid approach suits the team better.

As Adriaanse and Jol prepare to meet again in Enschede, you would be hard-pressed to find two more completely different Dutch managers in their outlook. Jol has since said he’s learned to appreciate his former coach despite their differences as coaches and people, whilst Adriaanse has stressed that regardless of not being friends he wouldn’t call Jol an enemy.

After the scintillating football both their sides put on, we can enjoy the return game at De Grolsch Veste – if only for more wars of words, or the chance to see a handshake.

Civil war looms as Ajax appoint Van Gaal behind Cruyff's back

2011-11-17T13:15:00Z

It seems there’s never a dull moment at Ajax, and the latest plot twist is one of the most shocking yet: former manager Louis van Gaal is set to return as CEO.

The club has been the epitome of instability over the past decade, to the detriment of what has traditionally been one of Europe’s grandest sides. Now, rather than awaken from a period of sleeping giant’s slumber, they look set to enter another period of great uncertainty.

Their first Eredivisie title in seven years, won six months ago, should have been the catalyst for continued success; instead, with a third of the season gone, they find themselves 11 points behind leaders AZ.

To say Van Gaal’s return is a surprise would be an understatement. Only a few weeks ago he reiterated that as long as Johan Cruyff held significant power, the chances of him returning to Amsterdam would be akin to those of hell freezing over.

In an act of betrayal that wouldn’t appear out of place in a Shakespeare play, Cruyff's fellow members of the supervisory board started negotiations with Van Gaal, only informing Cruyff just before the former Bayern coach’s appointment was to be made public.

Despite being sacked by the German giants back in April, Van Gaal is still contracted to Bayern until July, and will take over from current incumbent Rik van den Boog in the summer. Danny Blind and Martin Sturkenboom will complete the club's board as technical and financial director respectively.

It has since been revealed that Edgar Davids, former Ajax and Holland midfielder and another member of the board, was the mastermind behind Van Gaal’s return. Those close to Cruyff have described the move as a stab in the back, and it's perhaps apt that the Amsterdam club’s greatest player and most polarising figure shares his initials with Rome’s most famed emperor, who was also knifed – literally, in this case – by those claiming loyalty to him.

It was a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Real Madrid last September that started what would later be affectionately dubbed ‘Operation Red Elephant’ – a nod to the ‘Blue Elephant’ revolution which helped make Joan Laporta president of FC Barcelona.

There was a call to arms to reverse the club’s fortunes on the pitch, restore the lost identity and change the way the club operated at boardroom level. Cruyff, who was instrumental in Laporta’s accession at Barcelona, led from the front.

After endless internal strife and threats, peace eventually broke out with the creation of a new supervisory board. Cruyff’s fundamental policy was that the new regime must certify key ‘football men’ in positions of power. He showed his faith in this model at Barca, where Txiki Begiristain was appointed director of football under Laporta, and succeeded by Andoni Zubizarreta under Sandro Rosell.

When the subtle changes were beginning to take shape, comparisons with the Bayern model were being made. The Munich club’s structural organisation has been lauded across Europe and has won many admirers, including Cruyff.

Everywhere you look there’s a prominent former player in a position of authority. Dennis Bergkamp, first team assistant coach, also holds the academy director role. Wim Jonk, who famously scored in the 1992 UEFA Cup final, is the director of football affairs and also oversees the scouting department.

Many worried that the plethora of ‘egos’ returning to the club would only make it a matter of time before there were major rows behind the scenes. There was an infamous board meeting that Cruyff only took part in via telephone, which some suggested highlighted the fact he wasn’t taking his role seriously. However the mere fact he was engaged in policymaking – regardless of where or how – should have quietened the detracting voices.

Emotions are running high, nowhere more so than among the fans, a good number of whom are pro-Cruyff and vehemently backing their man. Van Gaal and Cruyff have never seen eye-to-eye; the genesis of their frosty relationship is shrouded in mystery, but their squabbles are more or less tolerated due to a recognition of an existing ‘conflict model’ – the idea being that those involved will ultimately be forced to prove their point is correct.

Earlier in the year, current manager Frank de Boer commented that it would be ideal for both to be part of the furniture again. In an idealist sense both could greatly benefit the club in the long-run. Rinus Michels aside, no other individuals have impacted upon Ajax to such an extent. De Boer has a foot in both camps: his own philosophy has been shaped by the two men and he considers them both mentors.

From the onset, coexistence between the two rivals looks unlikely. Cruyff has already labelled the decision to appoint his rival as 'mad', although Van Gaal has suggested he has no problem with the presence of Cruyff, or indeed working with his disciples Bergkamp and Jonk.

Despite his obvious displeasure, Cruyff has already stated he will remain at the club 'in principle', and has suspicions he isn't the only one happy with recent events. "I would like to know what the trainers think" he said. "It is clear a lot of people have been made a fool of [with this decision], me included. In principle I will stay on as commissioner."

The legendary No.14 has already made his intentions known that he will not be ousted. A compromise and burying of the hatchet for the sake of the greater good seems improbable but not impossible. There’s now the danger of a civil war breaking out and the message is loud and clear: this club is not big enough for the both of them.

War, spitting and wiping backsides: Holland set to continue rivalry with Germany

2011-11-14T12:37:00Z

After a six year hiatus, the greatest grudge match in European football is back.

Two neighbouring nations, who have served up many a classic down the years, will lock horns in an attempt to lay down a marker for next summer’s European Championship.

The date: November 15. The venue: Volksparkstadion, Hamburg. The game: Germany vs. The Netherlands.

Tuesday evening’s ‘friendly’ will be the 38th meeting between the pair, with Germany currently slightly ahead on 13 wins compared to Holland’s 10.

The rivalry originated from geographical proximity and a shared history, not to mention the emotive issue of the Second World War. It was no different with the players, most notably midfielder Willem van Hanegem. He infamously said before the 1974 World Cup final: “I don’t like Germans. Every time I played against German players. I had a problem because of the war.”

His personal animosity derived from the death of family members as they sought shelter during an air raid. The shelter they found was hit. “I didn’t give a damn as long as we humiliated them. They murdered my father, sister and two brothers. I am full of angst. I hate them”. After the final he left the field in tears. However he’s since taken a more conciliatory outlook.

That aside, there was no real hatred expressed, although Johan Cruyff wasn’t best pleased when discovering allegations of having a wild pool party in Bild on the eve of that same final. There was no real dislike. In fact some were on friendly terms, Cruyff and West German skipper Franz Beckenbauer in particular. Only one player from either side, Van Hanegem, didn’t attend the after match banquet.

Beckenbauer and Cruyff had met a year earlier when Bayern Munich and Ajax played in the European Cup quarter-final. In the first leg, described by L'Equipe as the greatest ever game, Ajax won 4-0.

The 1974 final at the Olympiastadion took the rivalry into the first steps of a post-war period. Whereas games before had focused on the generation that went through the war, from this point onwards, such sentiments started to drift away.

But there were still volatile flare-ups, and it was always in the background, casting a shadow over clashes between the two sides in years to come. The defeat in the final – Germany coming from a goal down – led to a nationwide trauma all of its own, poetically referred to as De moeder aller nederlagen: The mother of all defeats.

In the end, ‘Total Football’ couldn’t master the discipline of Helmut Schön’s men. Johnny Rep said: "We wanted to humiliate the Germans. It wasn’t something we’d thought about, but we did it. We started knocking the ball around – and we forgot to score a second." Herman Kuiphof, Dutch TV commentator, spoke for a nation: "they tricked us again."

It became a source of great bitterness among the Dutch and it would not be until they become European champions in 1988 that the intense desire for revenge eased. The semi-final victory over West Germany in their own back yard - with the Dutch coming from a goal down this time – sent the nation into an unparalleled euphoria.

After the game captain Ruud Gullit couldn’t hold back his delight: “We gave joy to the older generation. I saw their emotions, their tears.” Rinus Michels, the beaten coach fourteen years earlier, said the obsession and continued talk of ‘1974’ should cease as revenge had been fulfilled.

In his book Football Against The Enemy, Simon Kuper described the victory as an event of national significance, transcending sport and bringing more than 60 per cent of the population on to the streets in celebration. “German fans were less interested,” he said of the build-up to the match. “After all, Holland was not the only country Hitler had invaded.”

Dutch television interviewed former resistance fighters about their reaction. A special book of poetry was published to commemorate the victory, combining the efforts of footballers and professional poets. As Kuper notes, “almost all the poems made reference to the war.”

The pair also faced each other in Córdoba, during the 1978 World Cup, where they played out a 2-2 draw. Germany would get the better of the Dutch two years later in Naples winning a thrilling and hugely competitive encounter 3-2 on their way to their second European Championship crown.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge lambasted the physical nature of the Dutch team’s play in the aftermath, suggesting it went beyond what was permissible and laying the blame on their supposed war complex.

“I think it’s a true shame and pity that they regard football as an outlet for their hatred from the Second World War.” Karlheinz Förster – who won 81 caps for West Germany between 1978 and 1986 - added his thoughts: “They hate us so much more than we hate them.”

Speaking of the years that followed the 1978 meeting in Brilliant Orange – the award-winning book studying the technical and cultural development of Dutch football by British writer David Winner - the author states that; “Over the following years, the intricate crossover between football-and-war-related feelings shaded into something much darker.”

On the pitch there was still the needless stoking of the fire. Ronald Koeman mimicked wiping his backside with Olaf Thon’s jersey following the Hamburg triumph, creating outrage in Germany.

Lothar Matthäus’ persistent fouling in the same match didn’t exactly win him friends across the border, but it was an unsavoury incident involving Frank Rijkaard and Rudi Voller in Milan two years later that marked a new low in the rivalry.

During the Italia 90 second round tie, the then-Milan midfielder infamously spat at the West German forward, with the ensuing squabbling eventually seeing both players sent off.

Ulrich Hesse-Lichtenberger wrote in Tor! The story of German football: “Games between Germany and Holland had clearly degenerated into something that only marginally concerned football.”

Significantly, from the early 1990s onwards, German fans began to acknowledge the rivalry, where in the past there hadn’t been much recognition from their side. The Euro 92 defeat in Gothenburg – where Rijkaard redeemed himself and Rob Witschge scored a beautiful free-kick – was a watershed moment.

The last competitive meeting was a 1-1 draw at the Estadio do Dragao during Euro 2004 which ultimately contributed to Germany being knocked out of the competition at the group stage.

A year later they would square off in Rotterdam with Germany coming from two goals down to draw 2-2. The last friendly on German soil, in 2002, which took place in Gelsenkirchen, saw the Dutch seal an impressive 3-1 win.

No longer is the war a central issue as both nations have moved to a less aggressive rivalry characterised by mutual respect and friendly tit-for-tat exchanges through the media.

However when the two sets of players take to the field, only one thought will cross their minds, to win and not give the opposition an inch.

The aura of the fixture remains, past meetings never forgotten and with a bright future ahead there’s the prospect of writing another chapter in the story of the two neighbours.

Rodney Sneijder seeking to escape Wesley's shadow and make a name for himself

2011-11-03T14:44:00Z

Forging a career in football isn’t easy, even less so if you’re following in the illustrious footsteps of an older sibling. The added burden of living up to expectations set high thanks to the actions of a relative can sometimes take its toll.

Yet, in the case of famous Dutch brothers, being the youngest doesn’t necessarily act as a disadvantage. Both Ronald Koeman and Frank de Boer had stellar careers that at least matched those of their older brothers. This should perhaps give comfort to one of Dutch football rising stars: Rodney Sneijder.

It shouldn’t take long to work out the identity of his esteemed brother, Internazionale and Oranje playmaker, Wesley Sneijder. From an early age comparisons were the norm, something Rodney describes as ‘logical’ if not unwarranted.

Similar in size and stature, Rodney is, like Wesley, is also combative, quick footed, has excellent eye for a pass and possesses a lethal shot.

“We all know that Wesley is a world class player, but I have to see how my career pans out,” Rodney stresses. “I hope people judge Wesley on his own qualities and me on mine. I have no control over those who make the comparisons. I am proud of my brother but I will concentrate more on my career.”

The similarities and natural bond between the pair have seen Wesley, ironically, elevated to father figure status. “If something is bothering me, Wesley is the first one I call. His advice is very important to me. We have daily contact,” Rodney explains.

Both were educated at De Toekomst, Ajax’s academy, but it’s there that the similarities in their development end. Wesley, under the tutelage of Ronald Koeman, became a mainstay in the Ajax squad, and by the age of 20 he played an important role in the Amsterdam side winning the title in 2004. Now the same age, due to intense competition in midfield, Rodney left the club on loan this summer, heading to hometown club FC Utrecht.

“I played with Ajax during preseason, had a good preparation, worked hard and scored goals everyone was positive about me,” the younger Sneijder says. “It was frustrating that I wasn’t given a chance. I was expecting playing time.”

Born in the Ondiep district of Utrecht in 1991, Rodney’s first youth team were DOS Elinkwijk. In 1999 in a match against Ajax’s junior side, Rodney scored five goals in a 7-1 victory – he was immediately offered the chance to join their academy, an offer he swiftly accepted.

At the time he’d been contemplating a move to Feyenoord, with whom he had just completed a two-week trial. As he rose through the ranks in Amsterdam he was earmarked as one of the stand-out prospects of the youth ranks, and deemed a likely star of the future. Indeed, some coaches were confident that, should he develop accordingly, he would even supersede his brother. A sentiment previously echoed by Wesley himself.

“Rodney is the future. He looks more like me, but he is left-footed. He just uses the other to walk,” he enthused in an interview after signing for Real Madrid.

“Many people in Holland begin playing in the street. Rodney has the best technique of the three of us [Jeffrey, the oldest of the Sneijder siblings, no longer plays after an injury cut short his career], he always wanted to play as soon as school was out. Rodney will be the best of the three. I can’t tell him anything because he has already got the talent. He just needs to have his head tied on a little tighter.”

His talent hasn’t only been confined to his club, already representing his country in every grade bar U21 level. It’s the next step up the ladder. “I don't think I'm less than the midfielders playing now. But it's up to the coach [Cor Pot].”

The disappointment of not making Frank de Boer’s squad this season quickly evaporated after agreeing to move to his boyhood club. "As a child I was a fan of this club and often went to the stadium. I also still live in Utrecht. Playing here gives me a special feeling.” A twist of fate saw him make his league début under Erwin Koeman – brother of Ronald.

De Boer, who worked with Rodney during his time as youth team coach, holds the player in high regard and has reiterated that there is still a future for him in Amsterdam should he capitalise on his loan spell.

“Rodney is surely skilled”, De Boer declared, “However, he has the tendency to do too much. He must learn he can’t provide an assist and shoot on goal every time he has the ball. You are not your brother I used to tell him. Focus on your abilities and on the best way to improve them.”

The pair held face-to-face talks after pre-season in which De Boer outlined the difficulty of incorporating him into his plans for the upcoming campaign. Rodney, mature beyond his years, showed no resentment.

“Everything happens for a reason. De Boer has been honest with me and also more than anyone shaped me as a footballer.” This statement was a reference to the defensive responsibilities and patient build-up style he picked up during his youth career under the Champions League winner.

Despite making what some may consider a relatively slow start to his senior career, Sneijder isn’t at all unhappy with the rate of his progress – indeed, he still harbours ambitions of playing at the highest level.

“I don’t mind that I played my first official game at 20”, said Rodney. “I saw a lot of players make their début at 17 and quickly head back to the bench, or even to the youth teams. I think I am physically and technically ready for the Eredivisie – I have to thank De Boer for this.”

“At Ajax it would have been more difficult to show it because I was next to two great players like Theo Janssen and Christian Eriksen. This is the reason why I’m happy here at Utrecht. My dream is to play someday with my brother Wesley with Holland. I know I can only do it step by step.”

His debut for FC Utrecht, at home to Roda JC, couldn’t have gone any better. The young midfielder, more predominantly left-footed than his ambidextrous brother, scored his side’s second in a 3-1 victory, with brother watching from the stands. His second goal, which came five games later, was like something from his brother’s scrapbook - a sweetly struck free-kick against RKC Waalwijk. His latest – a consolation against Heerenveen – was brilliantly struck from outside the area.

The defensive makeup to his game forged by De Boer has greatly benefited him. “At FC Utrecht, you will not have eighty percent of the possession like I was used to at Ajax. I need to be more defensive. That makes me more complete as a player.”

Ambition, bluntness and speaking one’s mind run in the family – they are traits for which his brother is renowned; for better or worse. Even though he’s not been at FC Utrecht for long, he’s already considering his future. “Ajax is a nice club. But my dream is to play abroad. I'm not much of Serie A fan. I'd rather play in Spain or England.”

Despite this revelation, he follows his brother’s career closely to the extent he became an Inter fan. “I watch too much football on TV, actually, just about everything nationally and internationally,”
While, Rodney admits he takes much inspiration from his brother, there are other players he keeps an eye on. “I enjoy Xavi or someone less technical like Steven Gerrard, who is extremely important for Liverpool - a hardworking player who defends and scores.”

Being the brother of Wesley, many have unfairly touted him to be a mini replica. This couldn’t be further from the truth - Rodney is his own man. There’s every chance he may one day move into a more advanced role like the one his brother occupies at Inter. At the moment he sits slightly deeper playing like a controlling playmaker.

Despite his impressive start at Utrecht, his signing was a controversial one. Erwin Koeman had not been briefed of the deal beforehand, and this has been cited as the straw that broke the camel’s back in regards to his rocky relationship with the powers that be at the club.

His resignation came as a shock. “It’s too bad he’s gone but we must continue,” Sneijder mused. “We can certainly get to the [Europa League] play-offs. We have a group consisting of high quality players who at all times remain grounded. Even now with a heavy program ahead of us we don't panic.”

Regular football will eventually lead him to achieve his heart’s desire and who knows, in a couple of years time we might even say “Wesley, who? Oh, Rodney’s brother…”

There's still no good time for Feyenoord to visit Amsterdam

2011-10-25T10:26:00Z

The perfect time to visit Amsterdam is said to be during the autumn. The crisp breeze in the air and changing colour of the foliage are a striking but welcome reminder winter is around the corner. The locals start to settle back into town life as the rush of tourists eases off.

In recent years there has been no good time for Feyenoord to visit. On the pitch, the team have rarely been able to trouble their rivals. Off the pitch, their fans are currently prohibited from making the short trip north due to a five-year ban put in place by the mayors of the two cities and the Dutch FA in February 2009.

This is De Klassieker, a tale of two cities it would be an understatement to suggest were vastly different. Amsterdam, the capital, is renowned for being a cultural hub, and its open-mindedness and laid-back attitude are in stark contrast to Rotterdam’s perceived resilience, industry and hard work.

In explaining the embitterment of the two cities, poet Jules Deelder – a fan of Feyenoord’s city rival Sparta – once quipped: "Holland's money is earned in Rotterdam, divided in The Hague, and flushed down the toilet in Amsterdam."

Prior to the latest meeting between the two cities premier sides, the two managers lavished praise on one another, but never forgot their audience. Frank de Boer applauded Feyenoord’s recent resurgence, but was clear it wouldn’t be allowed to continue in his back garden. “They play with more confidence than last season, they are harder to beat and play better. But we want the three points.”

While opposite number Ronald Koeman saluted Ajax’s quality, he still gave his side a chance. “Even if you are weaker on paper you can achieve a good result with a clever tactical plan,” Koeman said. “We will try and pressure them. The only way to beat Ajax is to dare. But that's not to say I can pull a rabbit out of the hat in every game.''

Amsterdam in autumn - pleasant, but not for Feyenoord...

It’s rare to see Feyenoord above Ajax in the standings going into De Klassieker, but a run of four league games without victory left the Amsterdam side looking up at their rivals. What a difference a year makes – the derby meeting took place a year to the day since Feyenoord were mauled 10-0 in Eindhoven.

The swing in fortunes meant that for once it was Ajax who were under the greater pressure, and this gave Feyenoord hope of recording their first win in the capital since August 2005, when Salomon Kalou and Dirk Kuyt scored in a famous 2-1 victory.

After their recent 4-0 win over VVV Venlo, Feyenoord club captain Ron Vlaar proclaimed: “We go into the game against Ajax with increased confidence. There are certainly opportunities for us in Amsterdam. We have our own strengths. Ajax has a lot of quality, but they are also vulnerable.”

That vulnerability to which Vlaar was referring was the failure to keep a clean sheet in fourteen consecutive league – a statistic amplified given they employ a former defender par excellence as coach.

This weakness has at least partly been attributed to the changing of goalkeepers, with Maarten Stekelenburg leaving for Roma in the summer having also been injured towards the back-end of the last campaign. Replacement Kenneth Vermeer has yet to truly establish himself. Feyenoord, meanwhile, had failed to score in only two of their previous fifteen Eredivisie matches.

De Boer had reiterated the importance of Ajax dominating at home. Since ADO Den Haag’s win last November in the final days of Martin Jol’s tenure, only Spartak Moscow had left Amsterdam victorious.

Over the past 12 months, the average age of the starting XI of both sides has been in the early 20s. This is now fairly commonplace in the Dutch top flight, and has perhaps helped keep the football open and attack-minded, two qualities that have made the league of Europe’s most compelling. And the Sunday lunchtime showdown in the capital was no different.

The importance of victory wasn’t lost on either side. Bragging rights aside, Ajax went into the match trailing leaders AZ by six points, while Feyenoord needed to solidify their ascent and keep their noses ahead of their rivals.

Goals were promised, in the last five Amsterdam meetings a total of 18 been scored - 16 for Ajax and just the two for Feyenoord. But they didn’t flow in as expected.

For most of the game, Feyenoord troubled Ajax, as Koeman had predicted they would, by pressing high up the pitch. It took a Stefan de Vrij effort on the hour mark, which deflected off Ajax stopper Vermeer, to give the visitors the lead.

Minutes later the home side’s keeper was shown a straight red for bringing down Guyon Fernandez. It must have felt like Groundhog Day for De Boer, as it was the third straight league game in which he’s seen one of his players sent for an early bath.

“I'm really disappointed because this is a strange and annoying phenomenon. This simply means with eleven men we do not give 100%. We need to sort this out,” the manager would later exclaim.

But as the old saying goes, playing against 10 men isn’t always easier than playing against 11.

Johan Cruyff once famously stated the obvious. “The team with 11 will think ‘ok, we can take it easy now’, while the team with 10 will think ‘we really have to work hard now’.

Cruyff, the maverick, even added “I have seriously considered playing with nine players instead of eleven in some cases. Just to keep them all awake. I’m certain we would have had the same or even better results.”

De Boer might just buy into the idea.

Feyenoord may have felt they wouldn’t get a better chance to end their long wait for a win on enemy territory. But it wasn’t to be, as the game suddenly transformed into a frantic classic.

Jan Vertonghen immediately equalised from a corner and the tempo was upped, with both sides going for the win. While De Boer scratched his head and wondered why his team waited so long to kick into gear, Koeman was left with mixed feelings as he left Amsterdam with a point.

“I'm really disappointed in the result. We grew into the game. We were dangerous and had most of the chances,” the Feyenoord boss grumbled.

The next time the two sides lock horns will be at the end of January. Even though the spoils were shared, football was the real winner. It may well be a while before the two sets of fans can enjoy the derby together in the same stadium, but at least for the neutrals, De Klassieker continues to be something to savour.

Great pretenders Heerenveen seek to climb back into contention

2011-10-19T15:29:00Z

There’s something special about Heerenveen. For one, they're from Friesland – the only one of the dozen Dutch regions to have its own dialect (West Frisian). And their stadium is the only one in the top flight to be named after a club legend: Abe Lenstra.

Regarded as one of the greatest Dutch footballers, local lad Lenstra cemented his place in club history on May 7th 1950, when Heerenveen hosted Ajax. An hour in, they were 5-1 down when Lenstra pulled a goal back – his second of the game. Twenty minutes later they were level through Marten Brandsma, Henny Jonkman and Gerben Hofma; five minutes before time Brandsma sealed the most improbable of victories.

Ajax goalkeeper Bep Leentvaar couldn’t hold back his tears as he trudged off the pitch: he knew his time between the sticks may have be over. He was proven correct: it was his last game for the club. Rinus Michels, who scored a brace for Ajax, was left dumbfounded.

That game elevated Lenstra to talisman. One of the first real football celebrities, he enjoyed enormous popularity across Friesland and beyond. At a time before the Dutch game was professional, he attracted interest from Fiorentina and Internazionale; the former were rumoured to have offered him a blank cheque, but he declined, staying at Heerenveen for 17 years before moving to Enschede for a decade, finally retiring at 42.

Those halcyon days are often reminisced about in Heerenveen, even though they never won the national championship with him – or indeed since. And the last two seasons have brought disappointing lower-midtable finishing positions.

However, until 2009 Heerenveen had been a solid "there or thereabouts" club, finishing every campaign bar one since 1996 in the top seven. Indeed, before the recent emergence of AZ and FC Twente this was the club many felt could finally disrupt the stranglehold of the traditional big three: Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV.

Renowned for excellent scouting, the club has developed players like Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Afonso Alves, Miralem Sulejmani and Danijel Pranjic – following earlier stars like Jon Dahl Tomasson, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Marcus Allbäck.

Although Heerenveen are currently in 12th – the position in which they finished last season – coach Ron Jans believes a return to those recent heights is possible. And true to their recent history another crop of exceptional talents have emerged, from their academy and beyond, to give themselves a fighting chance to fulfil their manager's assertion in a highly competitive league.

The season didn't start too promisingly when a 2-2 home draw against NEC Nijmegen was followed by back-to-back 5-1 hidings at Ajax and at home to FC Twente, casting a shadow over Jans for the first time since his controversial move from rivals FC Groningen the previous summer.

Jans argued that taking anything from games against last season's top two would have been a bonus, and to his credit, Heerenveen have bounced back since with a six-match unbeaten run. Still Jans remains unsatisfied, particularly as the last three of those games have all been 1-1 draws.

In the first of them, at home to Heracles, they failed to push on after Ousama Assaidi – one of the current stars – had given them the lead. Conversely, the following week at Vitesse it took a Jeffrey Gouweleeuw goal in stoppage time to salvage a point.

Still, leading scorer Assaidi produced one of the moments of the entire Eredivisie season so far – and it couldn’t have come against better opposition, with Heerenveen well on the way to a 3-0 win against rivals FC Groningen. Though the whistle had gone for offside, the Moroccan's delightful skill earned rightful acclaim from the fans.

Evidently not lacking in confidence, the left-winger has already attracted plenty of suitors and he could leave in the winter transfer window, which would be an obvious blow to Heerenveen. Even a side with such successful scouts can't afford to keep losing key players.

They lost speedy right-winger Roy Beerens to AZ in the summer, but in truth he had already been pushed out by the performances of Luciano Narsingh. Having joined Heerenveen from the Ajax academy aged 18 in 2008, the Amsterdammer of Surinamese descent made his breakthrough under Jans last season and has continued what he’s started.

Narsingh and Assaidi have been Heerenveen's heroes this season: Narsingh has three goals and three assists while the Moroccan has bagged five goals and two assists. It was the same last season, when Assaidi's 31 games produced nine goals and 12 assists while Narsingh scored five and made 12 goals in 24 games.

Another player linked with a move away is Bas Dost. Having signed from Heracles in summer 2010 for €2.5m despite interest from Ajax and Twente, the club's main striker ended his first Heerenveen campaign with 13 goals in 32 games. The 6'4" 22-year-old might feel a tad unfortunate not to have received a full international call-up, but he's from a strong generation.

At one stage it looked as if Dost was ahead of Luuk de Jong but the FC Twente forward has stolen a march. However, time is on Dost's side and if he continues his development then he may well get the phone call.

Dost, Narsingh and Assaidi have been the engine of Jans’ machine: since the humbling by FC Twente they’ve been responsible for eight of the 11 goals the side have scored.

At home to De Graafschap last weekend, the triumvirate looked to have made the difference once more when Assaidi’s run set up Sven Kums' goal – but as against Heracles they couldn’t push on and a minute later Michael de Leeuw equalised.

Before the game Jans had spoken about the importance of not squandering more points, especially at home. Understandably, he was disappointed after the game: “We lost two points. Everyone was disappointed in the dressing room, it was dead quiet. We have now gone six games without defeat, but there are too many draws. We should have won this game.”

In truth, his side were sloppy, despite their second-half dominance: Dost and Assaidi were guilty on more than one occasion of not putting the game to bed. Heerenveen will need to turn those draws into victories if they are to once more start punching above their weight.

In form Van Wolfswinkel must bide his time before hitting international stage

2011-10-07T15:46:00Z

Bert van Marwijk had to see the man on everyone’s lips for himself, even if it meant undertaking a rare scouting mission outside of The Netherlands.

As his flight landed in Lisbon, he held in his hand a ticket for Sporting’s Europa League tie against Lazio at the Estádio José Alvalade. His subject was said to be oblivious to his arrival, though given what was about to happen, you could be forgiven for suspecting he’d been tipped off.

The man Van Marwijk had come to see was Ricky van Wolfswinkel, and it didn’t take long for the striker to justify the hype. The Dutchman produced a moment of brilliance twenty minutes in; a sumptuous – if not audacious – flick with his left foot guiding the ball into the bottom corner past the diving Federico Marchetti.

“I've been trying to score like that, and this time it worked out very well,” he explained modestly after his side’s 2-1 victory.

He couldn’t have chosen a better time to pull it off, under the watchful gaze of the national team manager, and a man who had in the past spoken of the importance of his players expressing themselves and showing ingenuity. If this was a test of that, Van Wolfswinkel passed with flying colours.

A tentative start to life in Portugal, as well as the form of his competitors, has resulted in the 22-year-old not receiving the call from Van Marwijk so far this season.

The striker made his Oranje début last August in a friendly away to Ukraine, though that is his only cap to date. Yet a recent rich vein of form in front of goal may have the national coach thumbing through a Lisbon phone directory.

His summer move from Utrecht raised a few eyebrows. Van Wolfswinkel ended last season as FC Utrecht’s highest scorer with twenty goals - his best return in senior football to date. No stranger to transfer speculation in his time at Stadion Galgenwaard, his name often appeared on the grapevine alongside those of top Premier League clubs - notably Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham. Although he was widely expected to make a move for pastures new, few could have envisaging his chosen destination.

“I can’t describe how happy I am,” Van Wolfswinkel said after completing his €5.4 million move.

“I can’t think of anything that isn’t good about this club. It’s very good for me: a club with a great coach, a great team and great fans. The stadium is spectacular. It’s at the same level as the best ones in Holland.”

After what he himself called “a slow start to the season” in which he often found himself on the substitute’s bench, the departure of Hélder Postiga opened the door to a run of form that has got people back home on Holland talking.

His first goal came 20 minutes after entering the field as a substitute against Paços de Ferreira. It was the all-important winner that sealed a memorable first win of the season for Sporting, who had at one stage been two goals behind.

Given football is largely a meritocracy, he was rewarded with a place in the starting XI for their following match, a Europa League tie with FC Zurich in which he again found the net.

To those familiar with the player’s strengths, what was happening wasn’t a surprise. Van Wolfswinkel is the quintessential poacher - with the right service, he will find the back of the net more often than not. Former Dutch international Jan Wouters, who worked with Van Wolfswinkel at FC Utrecht, stating simply that; “His biggest quality is scoring goals.”

It is Wouters’ former team-mate Marco van Basten who Van Wolfswinkel cites as his biggest idol, though he also looks up to FC Schalke striker and friend Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

As with Huntelaar, there’s an unfair stigma attached to Van Wolfswinkel suggesting that ‘all he does is score goals’. As if that’s a bad thing. Goals win football matches and bring glory, keep managers in their jobs and send the fans home happy.

But Van Wolfswinkel works for his goals. He times his runs well and finishes crisply, thanks in no small part to the hard hours he puts in on the training pitch. He’s not afraid to remind his marker that he’s there. Blessed with blistering pace, his acceleration is one his key facets, along with his aerial prowess.

And he wasn’t alone in making the move from Holland to Portugal over the summer. Stijn Schaars, former captain of AZ, signed for the club after talks broke down with PSV.

Schaars, like his compatriot and new club-mate, has also made a swift impact, slowly regaining the form that had some observers proclaiming a potential future national team captain.

Both Dutchmen were on the scoresheet in Sporting’s recent wins over Rio Ave and Vitória Setúbal, the latter being an exclusively Dutch affair.

Goals came to Van Wolfswinkel during his time in Dutch football – he struck 36 times in 78 appearances for Utrecht in his two years with the club – and the story is similar in Portugal.

Six goals in his last six appearances have not only got Van Marwijk scrambling for his passport, but have also lead to favourable comparisons with former club great Mario Jardel, who has nothing but praise for the Dutch marksman.

"He started very well. I hope he has the same success I had at Sporting. If he scores as many goals as I did. Then no doubt that Sporting will be champions.”

Comparisons have also been made with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who also once plied his trade in Portugal with Boavista.

The former Chelsea man played in an era of great Dutch forward, and was therefore forced to battle against Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Ruud van Nistelrooy for his 23 caps.

The story is similar for Van Wolfswinkel, who was last week left out of the squad for Holland’s final Euro 2012 qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden despite his impressive recent form.

Robin van Persie, Huntelaar, Jeremain Lens and Luuk de Jong have been named ahead of him. But one thing’s for sure, the fact Van Marwijk made his way to Lisbon to see Van Wolfswinkel does suggest a bright future lies ahead - could it begin in Ukraine and Poland?

Dutch top four face off in a thrilling Super Weekend

2011-09-27T12:38:00Z

Did you have a Super Weekend? The Dutch did, for that was the name given to the most recent Eredivisie clashes, centring around two battles between the division's top-four sides as AZ welcomed Feyenoord and Ajax entertained FC Twente.

How to prepare for such clashes? “We went swimming.” Gertjan Verbeek was in a relaxed mood before AZ’s clash with Feyenoord. “After the effort we gave in the Cup I believe it’s such a bad idea to go out running.”

Indeed, his men had gone the distance against FC Groningen in their KNVB Cup tie last Thursday, eventually overcoming their nine-man rivals 4-2 in extra time. The victory took their winning run in all competitions to seven before the Sunday visit of Ronald Koeman’s rejuvenated Feyenoord, who have also been on an impressive run of form so far unbeaten this season.

“They are now a different team from last year,” Verbeek mused. “A team with confidence to dare and take the initiative, which is nice because then you will get an open game.” But he was also quick to point out Feyenoord had played on Tuesday, giving them twice as much preparation time.

KOEMAN RETURNS TO ALKMAAR WITH FEYENOORD

Feyenoord manager Ronald Koeman was prepared to forgive but not forget his treatment by AZ, with whom he parted company after just 17 games in 2009, precipitating an 18-month exile from the game. Koeman insisted he didn't want revenge, although he admitted a third straight league victory would give him a bigger smile than usual.

Many were calling it his first real test as Feyenoord manager, but Koeman wouldn’t have it: “I think our first game against Excelsior was perhaps a bigger test.” Instead there was nothing but praise for Verbeek’s side: “Right now they play the most attractive football in the league.”

Alkmaar isn't an easy place to go – AZ have only lost three home league games since late January 2010. Many fans ignore the sponsored ground name AFAS Stadion and call their home Victorie Stadion – alluding to the 80-year Dutch War of Independence against the Spanish Empire.

The match was no war of attrition. Verbeek’s pre-match prediction was accurate: the action was open and end-to-end from the start. Feyenoord led at half-time through PSV loanee Otman Bakkal's well-struck goal, and the Rotterdammers could contemplate topping the table – a clear contrast to this time last year when they had lost four of their first seven games.

But the home side came back after the interval. Rasmus Elm's brilliant free kick levelled matters, Feyenoord's Kelvin Leerdam was sent off and Brett Holman’s powerful header late on gave AZ victory, maintained their imperious home form and moved them to the top of the standings.

"The team fought for the points," said an upbeat Koeman. "Even with 10 men we continued to believe. We really played as a team: if according to the media this was a test, then we succeeded.”

Verbeek was understandably also happy. “I’ve never been in the lead, so it’s an unfamiliar feeling,” he chirped, before reverting to classic managerial downplaying by adding “We're only seven games into the season. It’s about where you stand after 34 matches.”

ADRIAANSE RETURNS TO AJAX WITH TWENTE

The previous day's big clash had seen Co Adriaanse – in his 500th Eredivisie game – take FC Twente to face former side Ajax in Amsterdam. The teams have faced off three times already this calendar year, with the Tukkers leading 2-1, although Ajax won the truly vital one – the last-day title face-off in May.

Half-Time Oranje, Wed 18 May: De Boer triumphs in the Ajax tradition

Ajax manager Frank de Boer was bullish: “We are certainly not afraid. We just play the same game as we did in the Johan Cruyff shield.” Twente won that season curtain-raiser back in July at the Amsterdam Arena, but Ajax were on top for much of a game that proved you don't always get what you deserve in football.

After that match, De Boer bemoaned his side's wastefulness in the final third; Adriaanse was more than happy to admit Ajax’s superiority – politely, if evidently incorrectly, calling them invincible at home – but reminding the world that while possession might be nine-tenths of the law, it’s what you do with it that counts.

The return of Adriaanse has already paid dividends for Twente, whose attacking style remains the same as in previous years despite changes in personnel. The weekend before the Ajax game, in order to accommodate his two strikers Marc Janko and Luuk de Jong, Adriaanse used his tactical nous to convert the latter into a playmaker.

"Everyone knows I’d rather play as a striker," De Jong said after that game, "but I know how to play as a No.10 and will always put the team first.” It did neither the team nor the player any harm: Twente won 5-2 and De Jong scored twice, his selflessness earning praise from Adriaanse.

DE JONGS FIGHT AMONG THEMSELVES

Luuk has been at the centre of an intriguing subplot in recent Ajax-Twente clashes: a sibling rivalry between him and his elder brother Siem de Jong. Going into Saturday’s clash, Siem had the bragging rights after his two goals helped Ajax clinch the title.

“It will again be a small family reunion,” Luuk said. “Last time 20 [family] members came; this time around they may care for Siem as he’s playing at home.”

So far this season both brothers have been in good, if contrasting, form. Siem has scored three times while playing a pivotal midfield role for Ajax, though Luuk triples that with nine goals – 10 if you include his first for the national side against Finland.

Luuk seems to have moved ahead of Siem in L'Oranje's pecking order, although the fierce competition for midfield places may explain why the Ajax man hasn't added to his solitary cap so far. Despite the club rivalry, there wasn’t any hint of envy from older brother, who was proud when Luuk opened his account in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Luuk (left) and Siem de Jong

For the clash with Twente Ajax welcomed back Miralem Sulejmani from a hamstring layoff. On the opposite wing, Derk Boerrigter had the opportunity to impress national team manager Bert van Marwijk; injury to Ibrahim Afellay, though unfortunate for the Barcelona man, could be the Ajax winger’s gain. Already Marc Overmars and Piet Keizer have praised Boerrigter's crafty pace, industry and end product.

Boerrigter didn't mis his chance. His burst of acceleration led to Ajax’s opener from a breathtaking 10th-minute counter-attack finished by Sulejmani. The hosts led until the 87th minute, when Luuk de Jong's diving header salvaged a point for FC Twente and the bragging rights in his sibling rivalry.

“We had the upper hand, this is sour," said De Boer. "I take the blame myself: we must defend till the very last minute better.” It's not an unusual post-match briefing: Ajax have gone 11 league games without a clean sheet.

In fact the press conference resembled Groundhog Day, with Adriaanse again acknowledging Ajax's superiority – although "in the second half you saw that we were getting better and stronger. At one point we were the more attacking.”

Results around the country have left the top five separated by five points – but in a very welcome five-way race, it's AZ, where things are going swimmingly well, who are leading the way.

PSV and Ajax prepare to resume battle for Dutch domination

2011-09-16T12:30:00Z

When PSV Eindhoven and Ajax square off on Sunday it will be the 111th league meeting between two sides that have dominated the Dutch top flight for half a century.

With an incredible 51 titles between them in Dutch league football’s 110-year history, the scale of their domination becomes more evident when you cast an eye over the figures since the inception of the Eredivisie in 1956: 40 titles in the past 55 campaigns.

Yet strangely it has never felt like a bipolar-hegemony, perhaps as, bar the odd season, the title has not been won at a canter. Events of the past few years have also shown that other sides have closed the gap and now hold aspirations beyond merely finishing behind the so called ‘big two’.

Louis van Gaal’s AZ Alkmaar were immediately followed by Steve McClaren’s FC Twente in winning the championship in 2009 and 2010 – the first time since 1965 that two seasons had passed without PSV or Ajax winning the title.

However order was restored last season, when Ajax ended their seven-year absence from the summit, and with PSV spending big this summer, there’s every possibility the pair may resume their battle as the nation’s undisputed top two.

From the onset of the Eredivisie, it was Ajax who established an era of control - winning eight of the first eighteen championships, including six between 1965/66 and 1972/73 - a period known as ‘Gloria Ajax’ in which they also enjoyed great success on the continental stage.

Ajax's Velibor Vasović lifts the European Cup in 1971

The club from Eindhoven then enjoyed three title wins in four years in the second half of the 1970s, led by coach Kees Rijvers. His squad included such illustrious names as Jan Poortvliet, Willy van der Kuylen and the Van de Kerkhof twins - Rene and Willy.

Jan Reker and then his assistant Guus Hiddink would later establish a mini-dynasty of their own in the mid to late 80s, with four successive title wins between 1986 to 1989 - a feat not seen in Holland since HVV Den Haag managed it at the turn of the 20th century. Hiddink would also add the European Cup in 1988.

Although Ajax won five titles to PSV’s three in the 1990s, the balance of power swung back towards Eindhoven at the start of the 21st century, with PSV winning seven league championships between 2000 and 2008. Such was their domination that some joked PSV should be presented with the championship trophy at the start of the season - why waste the time come May?

The stability at PSV was a far cry from the revolving-door policy at Ajax, where managers would come and go having barely made themselves comfortable in the dug out.

Given the successes of the two teams over the past 30 years, it’s a wonder this games is not considered a major derby on a par with the biggest in Europe.

Many of a PSV persuasion feel the answer lies in the fact they are not based in Randstad, a conurbation made up of cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag and Utrecht, and home to many of the major newspapers. As a result, Eindhoveners claim they’re made to feel they are from a ‘provincial’ city and not treated as seriously.

Games between the sides have always had a bearing on the destination of the title one way or another. In the years Louis van Gaal was in the Ajax hotseat he’d always comment on the importance of not giving the Eindhoven side an inch.

PSV's players celebrate victory over Benfica in 1988

The last few years have seen tensions at PSV reach near boiling point, with fans growing ever more frustrated with the current regime - a possible side effect of years seeing success and the self righteousness that comes with it. Coach Fred Rutten has so far this season proved his doubters wrong, though given the calibre of the signings made in the summer, his task was always likely to be made a little easier.

The acquisitions of Kevin Strootman, Dries Mertens and Georginio Wijnaldum have already been described on these pages as a masterstroke. Concerns over a possible ‘bedding in period’ proved misplaced, with Mertens in particular hitting the ground running.

The Belgian has scored in his first five league games - a feat only achieved by twice before by PSV players - Piet van der Kuil (1961) and Mateja Kežman (2003). The addition of Tim Matavž on deadline day only bolstered an attack that already included Ola Toivonen and Jeremain Lens.

As for Ajax, they currently sit at atop the league, after capitalising on a surprise defeat for Twente away at Roda JC by winning a gruelling game at Heracles.

In his playing heyday, Ajax boss Frank de Boer enjoyed the battles with the Boeren, and Sunday’s game will be his second taste as manager, following a cagey goalless draw in February.
Although the match prior to that stalemate was also a bore-draw, recent encounters have generally be goal-laden, with 25 goals hitting the net in the previous four meetings.

The side from the capital’s last win away to their rivals away from home was a 5-1 rout in March 2007, but in truth Eindhoven hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for Ajax. Before that win in 2007, their last was at the start of the 1994/95 season. Only three wins in 22 years.

With those statistics and the loss of Miralem Sulejmani to a hamstring injury and Lorenzo Ebecilio to suspension means De Boer goes into this match perhaps feeling the pressure for the first time. The question is; how will he and his team react?

Cruyff to Van Gaal to De Boer: Can Ajax rejoin Europe's elite?

2011-09-08T12:43:00Z

May 24, 1995 will forever be a date etched in the Ajax annals as the Dutch club claimed their fourth European Cup title.

In what was an epic conclusion to a memorable season – and in the case of Frank Rijkaard, a career – Louis van Gaal joined the illustrious names of Rinus Michels and Ștefan Kovács by leading Ajax to glory in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

As this year's Champions League proper rolls into action next week, 1995 Ajax alumnus Frank de Boer is in the managerial hot seat – but expectations are no longer what they were.

That victorious campaign had been Ajax's first tilt at the European Cup since 1985/86, when they had been eliminated by FC Porto 2-0 over two legs in the first round. Johan Cruyff was the coach back then and despite that setback he wouldn’t wait long to bring European silverware back to Amsterdam.

The following season Cruyff guided Ajax to their first (and only) Cup Winners’ Cup triumph, defeating Lokomotive Leipzig in Athens with a goal from Marco van Basten. But the star striker was then sold to AC Milan and a disappointed Cruyff left for Barcelona.

Cruyff’s lasting legacy at Ajax was his blueprint of how the modern side should play. Incorporating many of the ideals he shared with his mentor Michels during the time he was a player, he devised a 3-3-1-3 formation which allowed his side to dominate possession with a fluid passing game. It wasn’t enough to win the league from Guus Hiddink’s all-conquering PSV Eindhoven, but it would serve his successor well.

Unlike Cruyff, Louis van Gaal didn’t have a stellar playing career: despite coming through Ajax’s academy he couldn’t break into the senior team, leaving to play much of his football at Sparta Rotterdam.

He did however return to Ajax as Leo Beenhakker's assistant, and when ‘Don Leo’ left after guiding Ajax to Eredivisie glory in 1990 – ending a five-year wait for the domestic title – Van Gaal was appointed manager.

VAN GAAL: SAME FORMATION, NEW PLAYERS
Van Gaal would continue the 3-3-1-3 system – but had difficulty turning around a hostile pro-Cruyff crowd, especially when results weren’t going his way. In reality, the club were at a crossroads. Some of the squad were either stagnating or coming towards their sell-by date.

After Ajax beat Torino in the 1992 UEFA Cup Final, winger John van't Schip moved to Genoa. Over the next couple of seasons he was followed through the door by Inter-bound Wim Jonk and Dennis Bergkamp, winger Bryan Roy (to Foggia), striker Stefan Pettersson (returning to FK Gothenborg), defender Michel Kreek (to Padova) and goalkeeper Stanley Menzo to PSV.

Van Gaal wisely kept a strong central spine of Frank and Ronald de Boer, Danny Blind and Edwin van der Sar, but Ajax needed an injection of youth – and just as Alex Ferguson would prove over the English Channel, if you're good enough you're old enough.

Patrick Kluivert, Jari Litmanen, Marc Overmars, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf and Michael Reiziger came into the side with the intelligence of the Ajax academy allied to the impetuous fearlessness of youth.

Litmanen spent 1992/93 as understudy to Bergkamp, impressing enough when the No.10 was injured to replace him permanently when the Dutchman joined Inter. His league-topping 26 goals the following season helped Ajax win the league and returned European Cup football to the Dutch capital.

The 1994/95 Champions League group campaign couldn’t have had a more daunting start: the visit of reigning champions AC Milan, who four months earlier had demolished Cruyff’s Barcelona ‘Dream Team’ 4-0 in the Athens final. But Fabio Capello’s men were rudely awakened as fearless Ajax ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Ronald de Boer and Litmanen.

Ajax had sent a message to Europe and continued as they had started. Casino Salzburg held them to two draws but AEK Athens were defeated home and away and Van Gaal's men completed a memorable double over Milan to top the group.

In the quarter-finals, Ajax got a goalless draw at Hajduk Split and overpowered the Croatians 3-0 at home, thanks in part to a peach of a free-kick from Frank de Boer. In the semis, another 0-0 at Bayern Munich set up a memorable 5-2 home win and a final showdown with Milan again.

In the Vienna final, Kluivert – the 18-year-old who had only made his Ajax debut the previous August, and who often rotated with Nwankwo Kanu as the No.9 – came off the bench to score what proved to be his most memorable goal.

DE BOER: THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT
The modern Ajax don’t have a Kluivert; as a manager, Frank de Boer can't call upon the same calibre of playing talent available to Louis van Gaal all those years ago.

The financial realpolitik of modern football means that the game today is a universe away from the mid-90s, when Ajax followed their Champions League triumph by reaching the final again, losing to Juventus on penalties before the Bosman ruling allowed most of their stars to walk away for free as the club slid into mediocrity.

Along the way to that second successive final they humbled Real Madrid in front of a sell-out Bernabéu. They return to the Spanish capital in three weeks' time, but you'd get long odds on a repeat away win: last November, Madrid humbled Ajax 4-0 in Amsterdam.

Although compared to last season there’s renewed optimism of making it through the group, De Boer concedes that Real Madrid are in a class of their own and should win a group which also includes Lyon and Dinamo Zagreb. Ajax progressing isn’t impossible, even if it looks difficult.

De Boer shares much of his tactical vision with Van Gaal: he even prepares for games in a similar fashion. His changes have been subtle but have had impact: compared to 12 months ago under Martin Jol there’s a huge contrast in the way Ajax play. And it works, judging by last season's league title.

To an extent, methods of coaching and training have returned to the days of Van Gaal, with a strong emphasis on individual coaching. Cruyff – now commissioner at the club, his first official position at the club since his departure as coach nearly 25 years ago – had recently lambasted the new modern methods of being dependent on machines.

Though yet to adopt the 3-3-1-3 system favoured by Cruyff and Van Gaal, De Boer recalled after watching FC Barcelona play three at the back against Villarreal how he fell in love with the formation – while stopping short of hinting whether he’ll return it to the club.

It's 15 years since Ajax reached a European final; a generation has grown up regarding the club who Jorge Valdano said "approached football utopia" as little more than a sleeping giant. Returning a degree of respectability and pride to Ajax – especially in Europe – remains De Boer's ultimate goal, as well as playing the brand of football he enjoyed at the club.

Still in the first year of his full managerial career, De Boer has already earned the praise of Van Gaal, Cruyff and even Hiddink – who cryptically called the Ajax man his "successor". Across in Spain, where he played five seasons with Barcelona, he’s been dubbed the "Dutch Guardiola" – a comparison he brushes off, saying he’s yet to reach his former team-mate’s level. However, he agrees that what Pep is doing he aspires to replicate, given their shared beliefs.

If Ajax do reach the Munich final and win their fifth European Cup, De Boer will become the first man to win the trophy in his début season as both player and coach. Stranger things have happened.

Dutch make history by blasting a perfect eleven past San Marino

2011-09-05T12:39:00Z

Sigmund Freud, the famed Austrian neurologist, had a famous theory of 'repressed memory'. The hypothesis was that a subject would block out a painful or traumatic time in their life, then be unable to recall that memory.

For the footballers of San Marino, what happened on the night of Friday 2 September 2011 is a memory they will want to forget in a hurry

It was an evening where the record books were torn up. If a picture can speak a thousand words then so can a score-line, and after 90 minutes at the Philips Stadion, it read The Netherlands 11-0 San Marino.

Those blissfully unaware as the goals were flying in could be forgiven for making a quick double take when the score appeared on their television screen, computer monitor or Saturday morning newspaper. In their 106 year history, the Dutch national team had never before reached double figures in a game.

They have twice come close, rattling in nine against Finland in 1912 and against Norway in 1972, with Johan Neeskens famously scoring a hat-trick in the latter rout. There have been a few of 8-0 wins against Malta (1990) and low country rivals Belgium (1936 and 1959).

Of course, the calibre of opposition played a significant part in margin of the defeat. Though San Marino shipped 10 as recently as April 2009 in an away game against Poland, they have ’only’ shipped double-figures on five occasions in their 21years as a FIFA-recognised side, the most famous being the 13-0 hammering at the hands of Germany in September 2006.

Many have called for San Marino and other whipping-boys to play in pre-qualifiers prior to the full World Cup or European Championships qualifying group stages, and this argument may again come to the fore after their latest humiliation.

With respect to San Marino, what exactly will they or the sides thrashing them actually learn from their matches? After Friday’s game De Telegraaf called the match a ‘glorified exhibition’. The image of Wesley Sneijder attempting to walk the ball into the net summed up the mood.

But that’s taking nothing away from the Dutch, who looked to attack from the outset, with Bert van Marwijk promising that his side – the newly crowned No.1 in FIFA’s world rankings – would look to entertain the sell-out crowd. It was, as he put it, obligation.

He recognised San Marino – ranked 203rd in the world, in other words rock bottom – would attempt to stifle his side by adopting a dogged and pragmatic approach and the onus was on the Oranje to find a way to destroy any defensive walls that stood in their way. He got his wish courtesy of first half goals from Robin van Persie, Sneijder and Johnny Heitinga. Given the amount of possession the Dutch had it was a surprise, and indeed a credit to San Marino that the score at the break was so low, relatively speaking.

Johan Cruyff once claimed that "when you’re leading 5-0 it's more fun for the fans to hit the post instead of scoring the sixth. That's just for the statistics."

Many observers felt with the three points in the bag the Dutch may ease off and start to show-boat, perhaps with one eye already on the more testing proposition of Finland away on Tuesday.

But they - and Cruyff - were to be proven wrong in a second period that became something of an orange blitz, as the Dutch started to creep towards their all-time victory record. Dirk Kuyt, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie moved the side closer and closer to the record.

After each goal the rapturous orange crowd chanted ‘we want ten!’ and they got their wish with three minutes from time as Oranje’s No.10 Sneijder found the bottom corner. If there was a roof above the stadium it would have been blown off.

Debutant Georginio Wijnaldum, in his new home stadium after moving to PSV from Feyenoord in the summer, added number eleven in an evening those in attendance will not forget for a very long time.

Coincidentally, Wijnaldum was also present the last time a team reached double figures at the famous stadium, though this was a far happier occasion for him than the 10-0 defeat he suffered with Feyenoord last season.

Skipper Mark van Bommel claimed after the game that it had always been their target from the start to remain focussed and net ten goals, a sentiment echoed by his father-in-law and coach Van Marwijk: “Against weaker opposition like San Marino, concentration is usually less. However, we've now shown that we can play good football against anyone.”

Sneijder, the instrumental playmaker, spoke of the ever-improving bond between the players, explaining that he couldn’t see the side of two or three years ago blast 11 past anybody.

The win also sees Van Marwijk’s record improve. In 22 competitive matches, he has seen his side win 21 and is yet to taste defeat inside ninety minutes. His side, famed for their dynamic, attacking play, have only conceded twelve goals, scoring sixty themselves.

In scoring four in one game, Robin van Persie joined an illustrious list of Dutch internationals to do so, alongside Eddy de Neve, Kees Pijl, Wim Lagendaal, Kick Smit and Faas Wilkes. The Arsenal forward said the last time he managed to score four was in a pre-season friendly with Feyenoord against Go Ahead Eagles “a long time ago”.

He’ll have to go one better if he wants to be alongside Jan Vos, Leen Vente, John Bosman and Marco van Basten - all of whom have scored five goals in a game for the national team. Though he did overtake his former national team boss Van Basten in the all-time Oranje goal scoring charts.

Tougher tests lie ahead for this continually improving Oranje side, but the Dutch ascent hasn’t gone unnoticed by other international managers. Joachim Löw, while putting forward the case for his Germany side, also believes the Dutch are among favourites for Euro 2012

And with the DFB (Deutscher Fußball-Bund) announcing Germany and The Netherlands will meet for the 38th time in Hamburg on November 15, Löw can see first hand exactly how brilliant the Oranje have become.

Meet the future of Holland's midfield

2011-09-02T15:35:00Z

As Kevin Strootman prepares to turn out for the Dutch national team on Friday night, it's a far cry from De Adelaarshorst. That 6,700-capacity stadium in Deventer is where Strootman started last season, lining up for Sparta Rotterdam at Go Ahead Eagles in Dutch football's second tier.

Strootman scored Sparta’s equaliser that day, and his stock has continued to rise sharply ever since. As Dutch national team coach Bert van Marwijk, who has gradually become one of Strootman's biggest fans, puts it: "I think the boy can go a long way."

In fact one of the things that impressed Van Marwijk was that the young man didn't go very far over summer. Strootman's storming season for Sparta had caught the eye of suitors abroad, from Premier League sides Tottenham and Fulham to Serie A giants AS Roma, but the midfielder opted to stay in his homeland with PSV – much to the national boss's pleasure.

Strootman cuts a languid figure and on first appearance alone it’s hard to imagine he was a creative attacking midfielder in the trequartista mould in his earlier days. But watch him spray the ball over long and short range, with intuition, vision and a gifted left foot, and you'll stop judging this book by its cover.

Born in southern Holland in February 1990 and starting with local side Rijsoord, he joined Sparta’s youth academy in 2007. By January 2008 he was promoted to the senior team and started to create a buzz. He was linked with leading Dutch clubs in summer 2009 after his first full season, but no move transpired and he stayed on.

The following season was the lowest point of his short career. After a disastrous campaign, Sparta were relegated for only the second time in their history. His own individual potential tempted champions FC Twente but again the move didn't happen and he played a further sixteen times for Sparta last season in the second division.

Last winter brought an unsurprising return to the top flight, with FC Utrecht, but perhaps more importantly a switch of position. Adjusting from the advance role he was afforded at Sparta, he became a more reassured, deeper-lying regista, excelling at ball retention and recycling.

That said, Strootman hasn't allowing his attacking instinct to wane; he often joined in with Utrecht attacks and remains confident in goalscoring positions.

His impressive performances at his new club – not to mention the successful procession through the Netherlands U18, U19 and U21 levels – earned him a full cap in the February friendly against Austria, becoming the 21st player to be handed a début under Van Marwijk’s tenure.

After the game he was praised by Wesley Sneijder for his quick adaptation – adjusting to the rhythm of the team without putting a foot wrong– and showing nerves of steel given the situation.

Strootman came into the Dutch consciousness with his usual impeccable timing. After the 2010 World Cup campaign's consistent selection of two destructive defensive midfielders, Van Marwijk has altered the Oranje's central shape.

In truth necessity was the mother of invention, due to Nigel de Jong’s suspension. But using Rafael van der Vaart as a deep-lying playmaker successfully invoked memories of long-ago Holland sides.

The question is whether Van Marwijk will retain it in the long run, especially when Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong are both in the squad, but with Finland and Moldova the next opponents after facing San Marino tonight, it's a fair bet that the coach will stick with the creative players.

Strootman was one of the few that stood out in Holland’s mini-tour of South America early in the summer, most notably his performance against Brazil. Van der Vaart's absence allowed him to play in the deep-lying playmaker role – impressively – alongside the more defensively rounded De Jong.

After the tour, amid much speculation, Strootman and his FC Utrecht teammate Dries Mertens moved to PSV for a combined €13M. Before making the move, Strootman spoke with his former Sparta coach Foeke Booy – who had made him the side's captain – and both agreed it was the right step at this stage of his career.

"I could have continued my development at Utrecht," said Strootman, "but PSV is one of the top clubs in Holland, where I can quickly become a better player.

"This was the most logical step. There have been a number of steps in quick succession, but I do not think about it. I wish every day to get the best out of myself and see where it leads.”

While his vision catches the eye, Strootman's leadership is often undervalued. Booy believes that even without the armband, he will be the leader PSV have needed for some time. For guidance, he need only look to the club's assistant manager, the former PSV and Holland legend Phillip Cocu.

Still only 21, Strootman proved his wisdom by not moving from Sparta to a major foreign league: it could have been a step too far. Although many close to him – including former coaches – believe it’s a move he’s destined to one day make, he may have struggled for regular first-team football at say Spurs or Roma.

By contrast, he has been given PSV's No.6 shirt, formerly owned by illustrious names like Mark van Bommel and Jan Poortvliet. Settling in immediately, he scored his first goal for the club in late August against SV Ried, arriving in the penalty area to calmly convert a cross.

With Euro 2012 on the horizon Van Marwijk would love nothing more to have a Dutch squad with strength in depth and Strootman gaining regular football at PSV would allow him to move comfortably to the next step.

When the young midfielder was asked about representing the Oranje in one of his first interviews after joining PSV, he diplomatically stated that only by showing and proving his worth at the Philips Stadion could he then dream of wearing the orange shirt.

If you were to ask Strootman, he probably wouldn’t describe himself as a bona fide defensive midfielder: strong tackling isn’t in his repertoire. However, he excels at spatial awareness and keeping the ball circulating.

Aside from Van Bommel and De Jong, not many defensive midfielders leap to mind. Stijn Schaars – who recently joined Sporting CP – Strootman and possibly Theo Janssen will compete to be Van der Vaart’s understudy as the side's regista.

There’s a school of thought that all three could go to the Euros, but although Van Marwijk has never been afraid of putting his trust in youth, he’s unlikely to overegg the pudding and most likely take two from three.

Perhaps the clearest indication of the coach's thinking could be seen in his squad selection for the postponed friendly against England, where he omitted Janssen and Schaars but included Strootman. In his explanation, Van Marwijk argued that Strootman needs to have a presence now in the squad as the months count down to the summer championships with Holland already having won all six group games so far.

Nothing is certain in football, and a lot can happen over the course of a season. But if Strootman continues his progress, then he could prove his national team manager right in going a long way – on the plane to Poland and Ukraine.

Eredivisie 2011/12 preview: Awakening giants, feuding brothers and a 'Psycho'

2011-08-05T14:18:00Z

It seems like only yesterday that Ajax and FC Twente's final-day duel for the 2010/11 Eredivisie championship. Ajax ultimately lifted their 30th league title thanks to a brace from Siem de Jong, causing mass euphoria on the streets of Amsterdam.

That's now in the past as Frank de Boer prepares his troops for their defence and it’s no secret where the biggest challenges will come from: Enschede and Eindhoven.

Even before a ball has been kicked in anger this already feels like a season that will ebb and flow, and as a result there’s every potential for a final-day drama akin to the one that culminated the 2006/07 season.

Not in a generation have three sides felt as equally matched going into a campaign, but it's Ajax who will start as favourites, on the basis their squad hasn’t (yet) been disrupted greatly and has indeed been strengthened. Maarten Stekelenburg’s departure to AS Roma – for €6M plus bonuses – has been the only blot to what Ajax fans had hoped to be a summer where their bigger names remain.

Before the deal had been concluded De Boer had named Stekelenburg's successor, his erstwhile understudy Kenneth Vermeer, regaining the No.1 position he briefly held before being usurped by Stekelenburg.

Elsewhere on the transfer front the Amsterdam club pulled off a coup of their own by snapping up the 2010/11 player of the season, Theo Janssen from rivals FC Twente. More firepower has been added up front by acquiring Kolbeinn Sigþórsson from AZ, who last season bagged 15 goals in 32 league games.

Both signings fulfil a need in De Boer’s side: a controlling playmaker and an out-and-out No.9, given Mounir El Hamdaoui has become persona non grata at the club (this going back to a fall-out with De Boer over absence from training early on in his tenure).

The Amsterdammers begin their title defence at De Graafschap – the perennial yo-yo club who stayed up by the skin of their teeth and are expected to struggle again – where last term they enjoyed a season-best 5-0 rout; anything similar would sure put the league on notice.

For a third straight season FC Twente will set sail under a new coach; Michel Preud'homme left over the summer despite being a draw away from seeing the Enschede side become the first club outside the traditional big three to win back-to-back championships since Dutch football turned professional.

In the hot seat – after a six-year absence from the Dutch top flight – is the ever popular and downright maverick Co Adriaanse. Like his predecessor he triumphed over Ajax (one of his many former clubs) in the curtain-raising Johan Cruijff Schaal. Despite his illustrious career the Eredivisie crown has eluded him and with a squad deemed good enough for the championship he needs to find a way to plug the void that’s been left by Janssen.

HALF-TIME ORANJE, Wed 29 Jun: 'Psycho Co' Adriaanse back in the Dutch big league

With a squad that’s remained much the same from last season there’s every chance of them regaining the title, as long as they don't get too distracted by the prolonged campaign in Europe which Adriaanse wants.

Their first game is at NAC Breda, the scene of one of Twente’s four away defeats last season – one of Breda's few bright moments in a campaign mostly spent fighting relegation.

If anything is disturbing the top two's sleep it will be the mumblings of an awoken giant desperate to end a four-year spell without the prize it once monopolised. PSV Eindhoven have been steadily going about their business during the summer; the acquisition of three highly-rated talents for the bargain total of €18m – Kevin Strootman and Dries Mertens from FC Utrecht plus Georginio Wijnaldum from Feyenoord – has lifted the dark clouds over the Philips Stadion.

HALF-TIME ORANJE, Tue 19 Jul: Rebuilding underway as PSV tighten their belts

Much rests on the coach Fred Rutten. His many critics point to a passive approach which at times tends to backfire on his team, none more evidently than towards the end of last season: at one stage the championship was PSV’s to lose, which they did spectacularly.

One of the highlights of last season was the unpredictability of the league outside the championship race. With everything in perspective, ADO Den Haag’s rise from relegation fodder to threatening the top three made them the team of the season.

The architect behind their amazing run, rookie coach John van den Brom, has since departed to the one club for whom he would have left Den Haag: Vitesse. Not much is expected of his successor Maurice Steijn; for the fans, mid-table mediocrity is better than a return to the days of fighting relegation, although this could prove to be difficult if talisman Wesley Verhoek leaves. Already last season’s top scorer Dmitri Bulykin – who was on loan – has returned to parent club Anderlecht.

HALF-TIME ORANJE, Wed 25 May: Fairy tales ready to be written in Holland

Van den Brom’s move coincides with a new level of expectation at Vitesse. Their owner Merab Jordania has outlined a short-term vision of playing in Europe before cracking the league. (The club also happened to finish in the same position Van den Brom found Den Haag in when he initially took over.)

You wouldn’t bet against the successful young coach taking Vitesse to the lofty heights he reached with Den Haag, but the squad he inherits – a lot of whom are on the youthful side – suggests another season of struggle. And as luck would have it, Vitesse travel to Den Haag on the opening weekend; it'll be interesting to see the reception Van den Brom gets.

The league will get some brotherly love courtesy of the Koemans: Ronald and Erwin have been appointed by Feyenoord and FC Utrecht respectively. The biggest task undoubtedly falls to Ronald, who incidentally becomes the first man to play for and coach all the Dutch big three: Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord.

Rotterdam side Feyenoord parted company with Mario Been – with suggestions he jumped before being pushed after a vote of no confidence from the players – after one of their more tumultuous seasons. Koeman enters a bear pit knowing the task that faces him will be an uphill struggle, especially after losing Wijnaldum, Luc Castaignos and Ryo Miyaichi – although the Japanese sensation could yet return on loan from Arsenal.

HALF-TIME ORANJE, Thu 21 Apr: Miyaichi inspires big change in Feyenoord fortunes

As things stand, the best he can hope for is a finish in the Europa League play-offs. Baby steps, as they say, although it may not satisfy some of the more diehard fans who have been vocal about the direction of the club and the state it finds itself in.

Feyenoord will have the honour of kick-starting the league in a local derby against Excelsior, who only survived through the relegation play-offs – as did VVV-Venlo. Not much is expected of either team and if they’re not lucky a worse fate could meet both teams come next May.

Older brother Erwin may also find the upcoming season a challenge at Utrecht. Besides losing Strootman and Mertens to PSV he will have to do without Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who as joined Lisbon club Sporting on the back of his most prolific season in Utrecht – 20 goals in 39 games. Koeman should target a place in the top 10, with anything above that being more than a bonus.

Two sides that will no doubt be there or thereabouts – contesting the Europa League play-off spots, but more importantly fighting for a top four position – are AZ and FC Groningen. Both have become a model of consistency in the league, although the latter have been more prone to make you think otherwise.

Both have lost a talismanic figure, Stijn Schaars and Andreas Granqvist respectively, and the onus is on the rest of the squad to make up for their absence. One does feel inadequately replacing Granqvist may hurt Groningen in the long run, as well as if they lose Tim Matavž. Elsewhere for FC Groningen Dušan Tadić is just waiting to become a player of the season candidate; alongside Nacer Chadli of FC Twente, he was unquestionably the signing of last season.

Another blow for AZ was Sigþórsson’s departure but they’ve quickly found a replacement from Villarreal in US international Jozy Altidore, who is hoping to find his niche under the tutelage of Gertjan Verbeek (before the signing admitted he’s never seen him play in a game bar the odd YouTube footage).

Sigþórsson’s departure reduces AZ's Icelandic population to just the one. Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson showed glimpse to what he offers, and big things are expected of the 20-year-old. The matchup between AZ and PSV is undoubtedly the most mouth-watering of the first weekend.

Another side that punched above its weight last season is Roda JC, hoping to maintain the form that saw them finish in the top five. Only the top three lost fewer games than Roda last season, and with Mads Junker – the league's third-highest scorer last season – on board, expectations have risen. As for Heerenveen, keeping hold of Roy Beerens has become a must; last season saw them threaten the Europa League play-off spot that now becomes their target.

Just above Heerenveen last season in lower midtable were NEC, boosted by Golden Boot winner Björn Vleminckx, although to the club's chagrin even before the end of the season he signed a pre-contract for Club Brugge. (You have to go back to Mateja Kežman in 2004 for the last player to win back-to-back Golden Boots.)

One of the sides to finish with a flourish in 2010/11 was Heracles Almelo. Four wins in their last five games – only Ajax had a better string of form – saw them propel themselves into the fourth and final Europa League play-off spot. Much of it was down to the goalscoring prowess of Everton Ramos da Silva, which spurred on his teammates.

It will be an achievement of mythical proportions for Heracles to improve on that, but a challenge manager Peter Bosz will once again accept, and they will start away to newcomers RKC Waalwijk, returning to the league after a four-year absence.

Rebuilding underway in Eindhoven as PSV tighten their belts

2011-07-19T13:01:00Z

It is now three seasons since PSV Eindhoven, Holland’s second most successful club, were Eredivisie champions. This is now their worst drought since the early 1990s.

With seven championships already to their name since the turn of the century (Ajax are in second with three), the club from Eindhoven are in unfamiliar territory.

Things could have got even worse, had the looming threat of administration become a reality; however the city council granted a €49 million life-line to a club many have dubbed an ailing giant.

The plan, one that’s seen as risky, sees the city council buying the ground under the Philips Stadion and leasing it back to the club at €2.3 million a year.

Much of the club’s financial strain has come off the back of missing out on Champions League football in the past two seasons. Prior to that, PSV had been either Holland’s sole representative in the competition or the Dutch side that went furthest, meaning they pocketed the bulk of the television money.

Before then, the Philips Corporation had bankrolled the club, helping bring in the likes of Romário and Ronaldo. It would be very unlikely for a promising talent from Brazil to make a similar move today.

It could be a while before PSV sign another player like Romario...

The club’s fiscal situation saw director of football Marcel Brands outline a new direction, which will now focus heavily on youth development and promoting players from within.

This change in policy is likely to be welcomed by the likes of Zakaria Labyad. The 18-year-old featured only sporadically last season, but is deemed to be the latest hot prospect to roll off a conveyor belt of talent that has previously churned out the likes of Ibrahim Afellay and Ismaïl Aissati.

The economic situation also meant the departure of star man Balázs Dzsudzsák to Anzhi Makhachkala for €14 million was a relatively welcome one, even if the Hungarian’s choice of club left some baffled.

Dzsudzsák called the move a ‘new challenge’, citing the cash-rich Russian side’s lofty ambitions. However cynics suggested he was merely prioritising his bank balance over his career prospects.

With Ibrahim Afellay leaving in January and Jonathan Reis injured, PSV’s title charge faltered towards the end of last season, despite the title looking like theirs to lose at once stage. The futures of other key players, such as forward Ola Toivonen, have also been in question, though the Swede is now expected to stay put.

In defence, Mexican centre back Francisco Javier Rodríguez has left the club for Stuttgart. American international Tim Ream has been touted as a possible replacement, but it’s unlikely the 23-year-old will leave the New York Red Bulls this summer. Brands has also hinted a third centre back could be brought through the ranks.

Manager Fred Rutten, who was Guus Hiddink’s assistant at PSV between 2002 and 2006, has yet to find his feet as the main man two years after taking the helm. Back-to-back third placed finishes are simply not good enough for a club that had won four league titles on the bounce not so long ago.

Could time be running out for Rutten at PSV...?

The biggest criticism of the former Schalke and Twente coach is that he is overly passive - it’s rare for him to unleash a ‘Plan B’ when things are going badly.

This was never more evident than during last season’s clash with FC Twente at De Grolsch Veste. PSV had just fallen behind when the nearest television camera zoomed to the bench and caught the 48-year-old staring aimlessly into the distance, powerless to change the course of the game being played out in front of him.

The chants and banners calling for his dismal and the return of Hiddink have yet to be acted upon, and he will likely be given one final season to get things right - and with the additions PSV have made, he’s got every chance.

Shortly after the cash injection from the city council was announced, Brands and PSV confirmed the double signing of Dries Mertens and Kevin Strootman from FC Utrecht for a more combined €13 million - a steal in anyone’s book.

Mertens was one of the league’s outstanding wingers last season, though he’s also adept at playing in a more central attacking midfield role.

His impressive performances caught the attention of many bigger clubs, both in Holland and abroad. Ajax were thought to be close to signing him in late January, but PSV ultimately won the race for the 24-year-old Belgian’s signature.

Strootman, on the other hand, has come a long way in a short space of time. Just 12 month ago he was preparing to start life in the second tier of Dutch football with Sparta Rotterdam.

Strootman has made a meteoric rise from Sparta Rotterdam to PSV...

But a move to Utrecht last season put him in the limelight, and an impressive debut season in the Eredivisie saw him the object of the attention of several top sides.

Initially a more creative playmaker, he has slowly developed into a bona fide regista/deep-lying playmaker, and is very comfortable on the ball.

His biggest strength is undoubtedly his positional sense and he is without question one of Holland’s brightest young prospects and a future regular with the national team.

But the spending spree didn’t end there. The ink on that double deal had barely dried when PSV announced they would be signing another of Holland’s most exciting talents, Georginio Wijnaldum from Feyenoord.

If the combined deal to being Mertens and Strootman was a steal, then €5 million for Wijnaldum is daylight robbery.

A total outlay of €18 million for three of the league’s most promising young talents is a very, very good summer’s business, and one that has had the likes of Ajax and FC Twente looking over their shoulders.

'Psycho Co' Adriaanse back in the Dutch big time

2011-06-29T14:31:00Z

After a six-year absence, the man they call “Psycho Co” is on his way back to the Eredivisie and ready to ruffle more feathers like he did before.

For 20 years Co Adriaanse has been one of the most sought-after Dutch coaches alongside Louis van Gaal and Guus Hiddink; like both, he’s his own man and tends to get results, and as with Van Gaal, often clashes with his superiors.

Now, Adriaanse is back with FC Twente. It’s something of a gamble by the club’s chairman Joop Munsterman following the surprise departure of Michel Preud'homme after just one season, the Belgian seemingly deciding the riches that await him at Al-Shabab Riyadh in Saudi Arabia were too good to turn down.

“There's not much to say about it right now," Munsterman said. “We have agreed a deal in principle. Next week he will come to FC Twente and then things will become clearer."

This will be the third consecutive season the Tukkers have had a different coach at the helm, but unlike Steve McClaren and Preud'homme, Adriaanse arrives with a wealth of experience in the Dutch league – as Munsterman noted after Preud’homme’s exit when speaking about the search for his successor.

Instantly names were thrown into the hat, every day bringing a new favourite to land the job: names touted included Frank Rijkaard, Ronald Koeman, Marco van Basten and even Van Gaal (surprising, given he’s on a self-imposed one-year sabbatical from the game). For Munsterman, Adriaanse must have ticked all the boxes.

Since his departure in 2005 from AZ, with whom he won the annual Rinus Michels Award for best Dutch coach, he’s been on a journey that’s taken him from Portugal to Qatar via Ukraine and Austria – and aside from at Porto (where he followed Jose Mourinho) and Red Bull Salzburg, success was far from easy, unusually for Adriaanse.

After an unfashionable playing career he eventually turned his hand to coaching, first at FC Zwolle and then Den Haag, spending four seasons at each before joining Van Gaal’s Ajax as youth team coach. Five years in Amsterdam followed before he embarked on what would become one of his greatest achievements.

Today, Willem II find themselves in the second tier of Dutch football, but under Adriaanse they played in the Champions League. In his first season in charge (1997/98) he guided the club to a fifth-place finish after the previous year they had just about stayed up.

Last century, at Willem (that's not a goalpost)

If the story sounds familiar, perhaps that's because you've read an earlier Half-Time Oranje about ADO Den Haag coach John van den Brom, another former Ajax youth-team coach who left to take up a managerial role at a club that had finished a place above the relegation zone and then guided them to fifth.

HALF-TIME ORANJE 25 May: Fairy tales ready to be written

That’s not to stay Den Haag will finish second next season, like Willem II did though. Then again...

Adriaanse resigned at the end of the 1999/2000 season after Willem II failed to secure another season in Europe; how the Tilburg side would love such troubles now.

His next job saw him take the hot seat at Ajax, a position he had craved since his days with the youth team when he must have hoped he’d succeed Van Gaal (Ajax instead hired former Denmark coach Morten Olsen).

However, his tenure wasn't successful. Clashes with the media and others in the Netherlands – most notably saying of suggested coaching new-boy Marco van Basten that "a good horse doesn't make a good rider" and calling PSV Eindhoven’s chairman Harry van Raaij a “talking lampshade” – and a string of bad results saw him released. To add insult to injury, his immediate successor Ronald Koeman went on to secure a league and cup double.

After a year out he regrouped to take over at AZ. Success didn’t follow, but he made headlines anyway with his now infamous training methods. On one occasion, he ordered the entire squad to hunt for Easter eggs; after an hour with not a single player managing to find one, Adriaanse returned to inform the squad there were in fact none at all.

These bizarre methods weren’t new; during his time at Willem II he ordered the team to follow him in their cars on a drive from the club’s training base. At a remote spot 13km later he instructed them to surrender their keys and run back. They did, although upon their arrival the players had them returned and were told to go and get their vehicles again.

You wonder what he has in store for FC Twente.

You can't say "Pyscho" without saying "Co"…

One thing’s for sure, his brand of attacking football will remain and if there’s any added motivation to reclaim the championship he just has to note who’s returned to the reigning champions.

With a resurgent Ajax hopeful of retaining their star names this summer, a new supervisory board will be sworn in next month featuring Edgar Davids as well as Johan Cruyff, who often clashed with Adriaanse, notably during his ill-fated Ajax tenure.

The two are since rumoured to have reconciled, but that determination to get one over Cruyff still lingers – and without an Eredivisie title to his name, this added desire could be the catalyst FC Twente need to propel them back to the top spot.

Video Review: The best of Eredivisie 2010/11

2011-06-06T11:41:00Z

Looking back on the 2010/11 Eredivisie season one word comes to mind: crazy. It’s been one of the more dramatic, unpredictable and emotional rollercoasters.

The pre-season favourites nosedived before Christmas before eventually living up to their billing and taking the championship – although many felt it was undeserved. Meanwhile one of the teams most tipped for relegation ended up qualifying for Europe next season and at one stage were on the cusp of a top-three finish.

Game of the Season
For the first time in more than a decade, a side put 10 past their opponents – but in a cruel twist the battered team gained their revenge in the only way Dutch football knows how. This is of course the surreal game that was played out in October between PSV and Feyenoord.

PSV 10-0 Feyenoord was like watching someone play a football simulation game on easy mode. Games like these are few and far between in a competitive top flight, especially in the last few decades.

What was also amazing was the ruthless aggression shown by the PSV players, in particular Balázs Dzsudzsák, Jeremain Lens and Jonathan Reis – Reis scoring a hat-trick. Even with five goals and more on the board, PSV's onslaught gave the impression that they were the team trailing.

It was a watershed moment for Feyenoord boss Mario Been; though the Rotterdam side hardly went into the game on the best of form, no one predict the afternoon they would endure – and Been even speculated in the run-up to the game that he could be rewarded with a new contract. At the full-time whistle he probably wanted the group to open up and swallow him.

In the end he stayed and despite few more bumpy rides which saw Feyenoord skirting uncomfortably close to the drop zone, he managed to galvanise the side. After the introduction on loan from Arsenal of Japanese youngster Ryo Miyaichi, the club began to climb the table and nearly finished in a Europa League play-off spot. With delicious revenge they also all but ended PSV’s title hopes in late April through goals from two of Holland’s brightest talents, Georginio Wijnaldum and Luc Castaignos.

If October's 10-0 hammering was the season's most bizarre game, then its most brilliant took place a month later at De Grolsch Veste where FC Twente and Ajax played out an exhilarating 2-2. A free-flowing end-to-end game which would enthrall all neutrals and football lovers, it was the perfect homage to the modern Dutch game.

The result maintained Ajax’s slim early-season lead in the table, two points ahead of both PSV and FC Groningen. It was a position many weren’t surprised to see them in. On the back of their imperious end-of-season form plus the euphoria of returning to the Champions League, Ajax were the team to beat, and also benefited from having the Golden Boot holder Luis Suárez, who had bagged 49 in 48 games.

The draw at Twente meant Ajax had gone seven games unbeaten, but the following week they lost their first league game at home (where they hardly dropped points in the last campaign) and would enter a sticky patch; coupled with the tensions of playing high-intensity European football, this would lead to Martin Jol’s resignation in December. Which leads us to...

Manager of the season
Jol's successor Frank de Boer was given 17 league games to overcome a five-point deficit. Under his charge Ajax only dropped eight points from 51 available and won their first league championship in seven years. De Boer deserves credit but managers need to be in charge for more than half of the season to qualify for the Rinus Michels award (best manager of the season).

Let us take nothing away from De Boer’s achievement in such a short space of time, but there was a reason why Ajax were made the pre-season favourites: they possess the league's strongest team and squad. In truth there’s a much deserving candidate, one of De Boer’s former team-mates. No, not Albert Ferrer, but John van den Brom at ADO Den Haag.

To finish your first season as a top-flight coach in seventh place is excellent going; it's all the more remarkable to do so with a side who in recent years have flirted with relegation (finishing four points from the drop last season). There was even a stage of the season when ADO could have gatecrashed the top two, but even this fairy tale has to have limits.

Van den Brom still managed to take his side into Europe for the first time in 24 years after an incredible two-legged play-off final against FC Groningen. ADO had won 5-1 in Den Haag but Groningen turned the tables and inflicted their own 5-1 home win; the game went to penalties and Den Haag held their nerves to make history. Given what he’s achieved in his first season and what he worked with, Van den Brom may be manager of the season for the whole of Europe.

Other notable managers include Michel Preud'homme. Also his debut season, the Belgian in some ways improved on his FC Twente predecessor Steve McClaren by adding a more attacking impetus and guile, even if the Enschede side lost the league after leading on the final day.

Honorable mentions for Mario Been, who turned Feyenoord’s season around, and AZ’s Gertjan Verbeek who proved his early-season doubters wrong – after losing Mounir el Hamdaoui, Moussa Dembele, David Mendes da Silva and Jeremain Lens at the start of the season and then Kew Jaliens in the winter transfer window – by securing a top four finish.

Goal of the season
Depends what you’re looking for. A blistering run with an acute finish? Try Theo Janssen vs. PSV:

For the best footwork, enjoy Luuk de Jong’s effort against FC Utrecht:

If you love an overhead kick, you’re spoilt for choice. Take your pick from these two beauties – Ruud Boymans vs. Heerenveen:

...or Pa Modou Kah vs. VVV Venlo (with the best goal celebration of the season):

Player of the season
Twente may have missed out on the grandest prize but individually it’s been another standout season for Theo Janssen. He’s kept the Enschede side ticking over all season and despite losing their crown he’s made sure Twente are a respected power in Dutch football. It's a big blow to them that he decided to leave for pastures new by moving to rivals Ajax.

A special mention to Nacer Chadli and Dušan Tadić, two of the more impressive signings of the season, the latter ending with 21 assists in all competitions – the best from anyone in the Eredivisie.

Team of the season
Stekelenburg (Ajax); Van der Wiel (Ajax), Granqvist (FC Groningen), Vertonghen (Ajax), Stenman (FC Groningen); Janssen (FC Twente), Vormer (Roda JC), Meertens (FC Utrecht); Verhoek (ADO Den Haag), Dzsudzsák (PSV), Vleminckx (NEC).

Fairy tales ready to be written in Holland

2011-05-25T10:24:00Z

The regular season is over, but the football isn't – and in Holland, play-offs aren't restricted to deciding promotions from lower divisions. The season-sending shoot-outs this weekend (first legs Thursday, second legs Sunday) will help decide who gets into Europe – and who drops out of the division.

Up at the top of the table, ADO Den Haag and FC Groningen – having already disposed of Roda JC and Heracles respectively – will battle over two legs for a spot in next season's Europa League. Down at the other end VVV-Venlo and Excelsior, woeful all season, could save their skins against two of the better second-tier sides: FC Zwolle and Helmond Sport.

Everywhere you look there’s a story to tell. It's been 27 years since Helmond Sport have played in the Eredivisie; the club from North Brabant will forever be remembered for being on the receiving end of Johan Cruyff’s infamous "passed penalty".

Standing in their way are Excelsior, who were the third-worst team in this season's Eredivisie – but only just: they finished just two goals worse off than Vitesse Arnhem, whom they beat 4-1 on the final day. Helmond, for their part, will be wary that it was a side from Rotterdam (Sparta) who denied them the last time they reached this stage in 2004/05.

But there's a bigger story unfolding which involves a team from the nation’s administrative hub, The Hague (aka Den Haag) – there’s even a Dutch saying: "Amsterdam to party, Den Haag to live and Rotterdam to work".

The people from each city will claim all night that theirs is the best. In football terms it's much less arguable: whereas Ajax are undisputedly the biggest club in Holland, ADO Den Haag – the major club side from the Hague – have had somewhat mixed fortunes of late.

ADO haven't reached Europe since the late '80s, and have spent much of the time since in the second tier. They resurfaced in 2008, finishing 14th and then 15th before sacking Raymond Atteveld and seeking a new coach last summer.

The choice was perhaps surprising: rookie manager John van den Brom, who played under Louis van Gaal at Ajax during the mid-'90s and returned to coach their youngsters, but had only racked up three seasons as a head coach – at tiny outfit AGOVV Appeldorn, whom he led to the second-tier play-offs.

Spot the difference: Van den Brom the player and manager

His lack of managerial experience made him a gamble but so far it’s paying off. One reason for his success has been maintaining the traditional Dutch 4-3-3 (as per champions Ajax) and always emphasising the attack – something he definitely picked up from his time with Van Gaal.

HALF-TIME ORANJE Wed 18 May: De Boer triumphs in the Ajax tradition

ADO's in-form striker Dmitri Bulykin has been ably supported by midfielder Jens Toornstra and forwards Charlton Vicento and Lex Immers. The key player has undoubtedly been wide man Wesley Verhoek – tipped for full international honours by the legendary Johnny Rep, who believes the 24-year-old is already better player than the current Oranje right-sider, Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt.

Their opposition comes in a formidable package. Groningen is the largest city in North Holland, filled with students – and coach Pieter Huistra has been doing his homework on Den Haag, whom he sees as a team on a similar level.

The two-legged final should be a close affair, but not dull. This month's 4-2 romp for FC Groningen in The Hague all but ended the home side's hopes of finishing in fourth spot and thus gaining automatic European qualification. ADO want revenge but need to break a psychological barrier, considering they also lost 3-1 in Groningen earlier in the season.

Like ADO Den Haag, Groningen have had a season of ups and downs. At one stage it looked like they could be a late challenger for the league, especially when Ajax were at their lowest ebb around Christmas. But a side well-known for its inconsistency played up to the stereotype with a string of bad results.

After a morale-crushing 4-1 defeat to Roda JC in early February, Huistra said “I think we had all the bad luck you can have in a season in the game.” He was wrong: injury ruled out talismanic striker Petter Andersson (who’s caused Den Haag a few problems this season) for the next three games, which Groningen lost, conceding 10 goals – a bitter blow for their two star defenders, Swedes Andreas Granqvist and Fredrik Stenman.

They did regroup, that key victory over Den Haag helping them finish fifth, just two points behind fourth-placed AZ. And as ever in the play-offs, form is crucial: in the semi-final Groningen faced eighth-placed Heracles, who had convincingly beaten them twice in the regular season, but Huistra’s team dug in deep and won on away goals.

Den Haag will go into the two-legged final as underdogs, but boss Van den Brom has said he would rather face Groningen than Heracles – mainly because of the pitch at Heracles' Polman Stadion, but also to gain revenge for those regular-season defeats. In his own words, "I have a lot of faith in a happy ending.”

It what has been a brilliantly unpredictable season in Holland, you wouldn’t bet against Den Haag writing more fairy tales – and the same with Helmond Sport.

De Boer triumphs in the Ajax tradition

2011-05-18T17:23:00Z

Where were you in 2004? Shrek 2 busted the block, George W Bush was re-elected, Arsenal completed their Invincible season and Olympics-hosting Greece lifted the European Championships with their biggest victory since the Battle of Troy. And Ajax won the Eredivisie title for the last time… until now.

After seven years, nine managers, £96m spent on players and £160m worth of talent sold, they’ve finally done it. And in the fourth and final of this season's clashes with FC Twente, they won the one Johan Cruyff described as the one that “really matters”: the ‘Kampioenswedstrijd’ [championship game].

Ajax took the title in front of a full house in a deserved 3-1 victory with Siem de Jong grabbing a brace – and in the process stepping from the shadow of his younger brother Luuk, the FC Twente striker who has been grabbing all the glory of late.

This is the one Ajax have been waiting for, title No.30 – after the game the players were given shirts which adorned three stars above the crest – and it's all the more remarkable because it came in a season which often felt like nothing would happen. But it did.

Ajax: Lanskampioen once again

Ajax have top-scored in four of the seven seasons since their last title win but only came close to glory on two occasions, losing last year by a point and in 2007 by a solitary goal. It was as if the football gods had mocked them by bringing the nectar they crave so close to their lips but pulling it away before they could quench their thirst.

This season started with promise on the back of a spectacular run in the last. Ajax were pre-season favourites – and expectations were bolstered by qualification for the Champions League groups at the expense of PAOK and Dynamo Kyiv – but they hit a sticky patch and never looked like regaining their composure.

The lacklustre performances under Martin Jol and the external pressures that followed led to his resignation halfway through the season; he was replaced by Frank de Boer, the legendary ex-player's career coming full-circle back to Ajax.

De Boer, who turned 41 on Sunday, said the title victory made for the best birthday of his life – and that Ajax are back where they belong. “It's fantastic for the supporters,” he said. “They've waited so long for this. We're the most beautiful club in Holland. We're the biggest club so it's nice to win this title. But we couldn't predict the outcome of this match, or the championship. Football can be so random. But things fell in our favour."

Before the game Christian Eriksen – the pivotal playmaker named by De Boer as the club's talent of the season – said that if Ajax were to overcome any psychological advantage the Tukkers had, then they needed to come out fighting. And that's exactly what they did.

Though Twente could have taken the lead in the first 30 seconds, it was Ajax who took the lead in the 23rd minute when Siem de Jong met a cross from Gregory van der Wiel and unleashed a superbly taken shot from a difficult angle that gave Twente goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov no chance.

Straight from the restart Ajax doubled their lead when their former player Denny Landzaat headed the ball into his own net attempting to clear another Van der Wiel cross. Twente pulled a goal back through Theo Janssen's curling shot from 20 yards, but De Jong scored again – his tenth league goal of the season – in the 78th to wrap up the win and the title.

"Pile-on!" The boys get happy

DE BOER NECESSITIES
Although he has only been in club management for five months, De Boer has never been an opportunist – winning the league as coach by being at the right place and right time. Even as a player, he was a typical graduate from the Ajax school of hard knocks: there was always an answer for everything on the pitch. He made his first-team debut in 1988 and quickly established himself in the side as one of the more reliable left-backs around.

Known to be frugal off the field, he was beneficial to his friends on it. Famed for his exemplary distribution of the ball, be it short or long (he it was who set up Dennis Bergkamp’s goal against Argentina at France 98), he was also noted for his versatility across the backline and most famously his brilliant free-kicks.

Even more than his twin Ronald, he was a core component of Louis van Gaal's all-conquering early 90s side; establishing himself as an international via three Euros and two World Cups, he retired with a record number of caps, later surpassed only by everlasting former Ajax team-mate Edwin van der Sar.

His subsequent coaching work with Ajax youngsters didn't go unnoticed; "Mr. Ajax" himself, Sjaak Swart, praised his work and complimented his commitment to the Ajax model and style – a belief system that allows De Boer to name-drop the biggest comparison of all.

“When it comes to playing football, movement on the field and attacking, I am close to Johan Cruyff’s philosophy,” De Boer explains. “I like the 4-3-3 formation; I know you need the right players for that, but if you want to find them, then you will.”

More than anything, his ideological belief in Ajax resonated to his players, reminding them at all times who they were playing for and the importance of doing so. De Boer wasn't above hands-on training either, often giving free-kick master-classes.

Frank advice: Ajax learn from experience

And so De Boer becomes only the third former Ajax player to guide the same club to the title, joining Ronald Koeman and Rinus Michels. They too had joined mid-season and turned things round; Koeman replaced Co Adriaanse in 2001 and immediately marched to the league and cup double, while Michels helped Ajax avoid relegation in 1965 before kickstarting a revolution that shook Europe.

De Boer is far from a Michels type coach, but his back to basics approach was the catalyst for Ajax’s unexpected run – they won all their last six games, making it 13 wins from 17 league games under the new coach – and for that he must be commended, quite apart from keeping boardroom squabbles away from the performances.

IT'S ALL IN THE MIND
While Ajax won six out of six after the last international break, Twente and PSV began to drop silly points. Their European excursions and humiliations – at the hands of Villarreal and Benfica respectively – may have been significant but can't excuse the players' apparent attitude.

Twente winger Nacer Chadli is unquestionably the signing of the season, but he said before the penultimate weekend of fixtures that the amount of games he’s played had caught up with him. Before the Cup final De Boer noted that Twente have a bigger, more experienced squad, showing a nice appreciation of mind games even if his side didn’t get the job done in Rotterdam. Ajax simply seemed to want the win more.

Players who looked down and out under Jol now look completely different, but Ajax will now enter a summer of uncertainty as one or two from the first team could be leaving for pastures new. De Boer as much as admitted that his captain and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is as good as gone, while key right-back Gregory van der Wiel and versatile defender Jan Vertonghen seem to be leaving – although Van der Wiel hinted he may stay for another season and some say Vertonghen has also pledged he same to De Boer.

Certainly after the Twente game De Boer stated he’ll do his utmost to not lose players, “Hopefully we keep this group of players together as much as possible. It gives us a chance of keeping the real top players, we're now playing football in the Champions League – so they might choose to stay and not go to Schalke,” a knowing reference to the German side strongly linked with Stekelenburg.

Ajax have nonetheless cleared out nine players including Timothée Atouba, Evander Sno and Suk Hyun-Jun; as of now their futures remains unclear.

Let's stay together? Vertonghen and Stekelenburg

For his part, Twente manager Michel Preud'homme will not consider the season a wipeout. Despite losing the one game of importance there’s still a lot of positives to take. “Ajax put us under pressure and we never managed to free ourselves," he said after the game.

"We're disappointed but the season overall was splendid. After winning the title last season, we had to re-construct a completely new team. Twente win the cup, reach the Europa League quarter-finals and finish second in the league: all things considered, it's a great season."

BACK TO THE FUTURE
At least Twente did manage to hold on to second: their last-day loss meant that PSV could leapfrog them for that final Champions League spot. Typically, the Eindhoven side failed, with a goalless draw at Groningen. Fred Rutten’s men have ended the season woefully and after three potless seasons – two under Rutten – they may fancy a change of direction.

On the other hand, Twente is a growing force – so much so that even Cruyff has said the balance of power is beginning to move away from the traditional powerhouses – but just as with those big teams, Twente's task is now keeping hold of the key players.

The biggest question mark is the future of Theo Janssen, the 2011 Dutch Footballer of the Year. On more than one occasion he has hinted at a possible return to his boyhood club Vitesse, and although Twente can offer him the chance of Champions League football, so can Ajax – and De Boer has confirmed the champions' interest.

In the spotlight: Janssen's an obvious target

Also on Ajax's radar is AZ Alkmaar’s Icelandic striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, believed to be close to signing. However, outgoing CEO Rik van den Boog has reiterated that Ajax won’t be splashing the cash, continuing the tradition of prioritising youth players – a group De Boer knows well from his time in charge of Jong Ajax.

Accordingly, if Stekelenburg does leave Ajax may promote Kenneth Vermeer; Van der Wiel might be replaced by promising Finn Henri Toivomäki – personally recommended by former great Jari Litmanen – while Danish teen Nicolai Boilesen looks to be an able long-term successor to Vertonghen when the Belgian international moves on.

For now, the players celebrated the title (and qualification for the Champions League group stages) with more than 100,000 fans packing the Museumplein. There was even a ‘Sergio Ramos’ moment when Stekelenburg, of all people, dropped the trophy; in his defence, he and vice-captain Vertonghen saw the tram wires late. De Boer called the subsequent dent on the shield “a little symbol for the season”.

De Boer can now contemplate taking the club to heights he never thought possible. With Cruyff returning in a dual role as a member of the newly-formed supervisory board and in the management, the club's future looks a lot brighter than it did last December – or indeed at any time since those far-off days of 2004.

First blood to Twente in the top-two titles tussle

2011-05-10T09:42:00Z

The billing was Part One of an epic end-of-season showdown between the league's top two sides, FC Twente and Ajax. The stage was the KNVB Beker (Dutch Cup) final. The subtext was a chance to inflict a psychological blow in the build-up to what has taken over as the real cup final: the same two teams' winner-takes-all title-deciding league game next weekend.

In the end it was a thriller, unsurprisingly given that these two have already got one enthralling production under their belt this season – a captivating 2-2 last September. There were lessons learned: both sides could take many positives and negatives from the game.

But as the end titles rolled it was FC Twente who were the heroes, coming back from two goals down to win 3-2 after extra time. It was the Reds' first domestic cup triumph since 2001 and only their third overall; now last year's league champions stand on the brink not only of winning their first double but also of establishing a new order that seemed impossible less than a decade ago.

During the 2002/03 season, the club nearly went under. With a debt of around €14m, insolvency was only staved off by the hard work and dedication of then chairman Herman Wessels and Joop Munsterman, who succeeded Wessels in 2004.

Munsterman’s policy of thrift, prudence and the liberal application of elbow-grease attracted new sponsors, whose investment helped cancel out much of the debt and set the club onto the road to recovery.

He managed to grow the budget from just €11M in 2003 to €33M last season, making Twente's turnover the fourth-biggest in Holland. In a league won by one of the traditional big three (Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord) for all but three of the last 46 seasons, Twente have shown that other sides can achieve success with careful management and outlook.

The chairman’s philosophy has trickled down to the players and manager. After the game, Twente coach Michel Preud'homme was elated: "It was a great spectacle with two teams playing sometimes good football and with the fans creating a great atmosphere."

There was even a timely reminder of how the victors collected the trophy Dutch-style when the Twente players returned in their bathrobes, reminiscent of the great Ajax and Feyenoord sides of the early 1970s.

Immediately after taking over last summer, Preud'homme had won the season-opening Johan Cruijff Schaal – but this first major Dutch honour sits alongside the trophies he collected in his native Belgium: the Belgian Cup with Gent and the league championship with Standard Liège. Who said goalkeepers don’t make good coaches?

Capped 58 times for Belgium, including at Italia 90 and USA 94, Preud'homme was voted goalkeeper of the year five times between 1988 and 1994 during his playing time at Mechelen. By 1994 he was world-class, honoured as both UEFA and IFFHS goalkeeper of the year.

His coaching career had a false start with Standard Liège in 2001; although he only lasted 18 months, he returned in 2006 and won the title two years later. Moving immediately on the Gent, he led them to the 2010 Belgian Cup – and a week later succeeded Steve McClaren at Twente.

Before the final, Preud'homme's opposite number Frank de Boer spoke of the importance of maintaining a high degree of consistency during the 90 minutes if his side was to end the season with silverware in the bag and champagne corks on the floor.

"In games we always have times when we play well," he said. "But these periods should be longer. We must be consistent. It's still too volatile."

His words seemed to have been taken on board as Ajax stormed into a first-half lead, opening the scoring after four minutes through Demy de Zeeuw and doubling their advantage five minutes before the interval with Lorenzo Ebecilio's deflected strike.

But De Boer’s fears were proven correct when Twente struck back immediately before the second half – and on the hour, player of the season in waiting Theo Janssen equalised. Left-footed midfielder Janssen has developed a pleasing habit this season of finding the net whenever Twente need it most; if the club prevail against Ajax next weekend, the spot-kick equaliser that salvaged a point against Roda JC could be regarded as the moment the league was won.

Janssen celebrates another decisive goal

Either side could have won the cup in normal time, but in the extra period Marc Janko headed home a perfectly weighted Janssen free-kick.

Twente can’t celebrate for too long as they attempt to create more history in this weekend's league title decider with Ajax. Avoiding defeat would give them their first double – and make them only the fourth side in to retain the Eredivisie.

Despite the positives of going two goals in front, defeat was a bitter pill for Ajax to swallow. De Boer now must pick up his players for what will be the biggest test of his sic-month managerial career.

"We could have decided the game in extra time," he said. "We dominated, but also lost a little bit of power on the wings. It is unfortunate that some players could not keep up the pace. I think we perhaps deserved more from the game. After all I have seen enough positive things for the next encounter.

"We will now prepare for the real final," he vowed. "That is the most important. But I would have preferred them both [cup and league titles]."

The mere fact that Ajax, given what they’ve gone through this season, are a win away from their first league title in 2004 is a real testament to their resolve. There’s no doubt De Boer needs to pick up his youthful squad and continue to drum the message of what needs to be done if they’re to end their seven-year title itch.

As for Twente, they only need a draw but will go for the win. If Preud'homme and his men manage it, we could witnessing the breaking of a glass ceiling in Dutch football.

Holland's top two clash – twice – in biggest games of season

2011-05-03T14:39:00Z

Get your diaries out and make sure the following dates are free: Sunday 8 May and Sunday 15 May. On those two successive Sundays, FC Twente and Ajax will clash for the two major prizes in Dutch football. Call it fate or luck, but it’s happened: an unprecedented moment in Dutch football history.

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There’s always something romantic about the league being decided on the final day, more so when it’s the top two squaring up with the winner takes it all. Even though a draw will be enough for Twente to retain their league crown, it’s a gambit Michel Preud'homme will be looking to avoid.

For Ajax, it’s a position they never thought they would be in: at one stage just before the last international break they were six points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven. But as PSV faltered Ajax went about their business, gaining momentum – despite boardroom turmoil, they've had five wins from five since the break – dragging them to the cusp of winning their first league title since 2004.

THE FRANK REVOLUTION
Frank de Boer would have bitten off your hand if you suggested to him, when he took the hot seat in early December, that Ajax would only need a last-day home win to win their 30th championship. And with the final day falling on his birthday, it could end up as the ultimate present.

This season has been far from a vintage one for the Amsterdammers. It began with Martin Jol’s future in question, as Premier League clubs (notably Fulham) were interested in his services. Jol did indeed leave, but not until December, and not to return to England: he resigned on the back of lethargic performances and endless criticisms from ex-players turned pundits dissatisfied with everything from Ajax's tactics to general style of play.

"Are we finished?"

No mean ex-player himself, De Boer has also been critical of his predecessor's style. In a recent interview he acknowledged that Jol’s tactics were successful to an extent – last season they won the Dutch cup and finished second (to Twente) by just one point, scoring 106, conceding just 20 and not dropping a point after January – but that the style of play was alien to him, not the philosophy he knew during his time at the club.

At the time of Jol’s resignation, Ajax were fourth and just five points behind leaders PSV; despite losing three games, they had won nine. It was the manner of the performances that started to make his position untenable.

His final game summed up the anxiety at the Amsterdam Arena. A 1-1 draw at home to NEC Nijmegen was a blow, but worse was the body language of his players, notably the frustrated (and soon to depart) Luis Suárez. With the pressure mounting, Jol decided to jump before being pushed.

In came De Boer, first as interim coach but since on a permanent basis, subsequently leaving his post as assistant coach with the Dutch national team. His first few months have been in clear contrast to the last few under Jol.

For one, there seems to be a more harmonious spirit amongst his group of players. More than anything, this could be down to the changes in the team’s style of play. From the get-go De Boer spoke of his determination to renew what he felt was the lost Ajax spirit and bring back the joy of playing for the club – in his words, to "rid themselves of a certain apathy that was evident on the field."

The first thing to do was to alter the tactics. Jol's Ajax rarely played with a playmaker, No. 10 or trequartista, nor with out-and-out wingers. De Boer put paid to this, dusting down the 4-3-3 to resemble the system he was comfortable with as a player.

“The Ajax system has always entailed building from the back, with movement and nice interplay," explained the boss. "We had to ensure that the players bought into this idea again.”

"Four. Three. Effing. Three."

An inspiration is Pep Guardiola, his former Barcelona team-mate turned Camp Nou coach. De Boer acknowledges though their teams are on different planets financially, they share a distinct philosophy – and the Dutchman has made it clear that he will continue to let it thrive during his tenure.

"This is my club: I’m an example of what it can produce," said De Boer. "My ambition is to get the team competing at the highest level again. In the modern game, you tend to dominate if you have eight or nine players behind the ball, just like Barça. You have to be dynamic, full of movement.”

One example is Christian Eriksen. The Danish teenager hadn’t been a regular feature under Jol, but under De Boer he’s become the fulcrum of the side – scoring in his last two games – playing as what his coach calls a true playmaker, in most cases behind a false No.9 in Siem de Jong.

This combination was utilised in De Boer’s first match: Ajax's 2-0 win at AC Milan, the club's first ever victory at the San Siro. “We played following the Ajax philosophy," explained the coach, "with wingers [Suárez and Miralem Sulejmani] and a real No.10 [Eriksen] – and everyone did well at the job they were assigned beforehand.”

De Boer’s appointment may have been largely swayed by his previous coaching role in the academy; a number of the players who have recently excelled in the first team already played under De Boer in the youth tiers – notably Eriksen, who enthused after the Milan victory about how the new coach's appointment and impact had given him greater confidence. Given that the summer could see a couple of first-team players departing, the club may decide to promote from within as well as buy.

Another player that has gone from wilderness to renaissance is Miralem Sulejmani. At one stage before last August he seemed set for West Ham, but the Serbian forward was denied a work permit. For Ajax, it was a blessing in disguise.

Since De Boer took over, Sulejmani has scored 12 times, his first coming in De Boer’s first home game against AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch cup. There have also been the odd important goals here and there including the equaliser against NEC and more recently at Heerenveen.

Jol’s team was criticised for lacking wingers, an oversight Marc Overmars was quick to point out. De Boer rectified that playing Sulejmani and Lorenzo Ebecilio, another graduate from the academy. Since the new coach took over, Ajax have won 12 and drawn two of their 16 league games, racking up 33 goals and conceding just 12.

If De Boer guides Ajax to the championship will only become the third to do so as a former player, joining Ronald Koeman and Rinus Michels.

TWENTE, TWENTE, CUP
So far this season Ajax and Twente met twice, first in the Johan Cruijff Schaal – the traditional season curtain-raiser between league and cup winners. Twente won 1-0, a rare mistake from goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg allowing Luuk de Jong (brother of Siem) to capitalise in their 1-0 victory.

Stekelenburg would make up for his error a couple of months later when the sides met in Enschede, his string of spectacular saves keeping Ajax in the game during a classic 2-2 draw, probably the game of the season in the Eredivisie.

Both won their penultimate games setting up this climax to the season. Ajax came from a goal down to beat Heerenveen 2-1 through Sulejmani and Eriksen, while Twente had no trouble dispatching Willem II 4-0 – a heavy defeat that finally confined the Tilburg team to the relegation that has hung over them for much of the season.

The rivalry has done wonders for the KNVB Cup. Neither side will want to give an inch to the opposition, so a cagey cup final is expected with the losers emphasising that it won’t mean much to the league game.

De Boer has hinted he may make a couple of changes for the cup final, but still will go out to claim a double: “Obviously we would rather win the second meeting, but that doesn't mean we won’t be taking the cup seriously.”

His counterpart Michel Preud'homme isn’t despondent that Twente haven't wrapped up the title by now. Instead, he has noted how right he was to predict that the championship would go to the wire.

"I've previously said that the title would be decided on the last day of the season. That prediction appears to be true. If we assume PSV win their last game, we will be third or champions. That is strange. It could mean that we would miss the Champions League."

"Play to win. Every game."

And when it comes to the cup final, there’s no chance of Twente tinkering. "We have played every game this season to win," insists Preud'homme, "and we're going to do the same in the next two games - with confidence.

"We will do everything to win. First we focus fully on the cup final – we are going to spare no players, everyone also wants to play that game. Both prizes are important for FC Twente."

Neither side is used to losing. Twente have only been turned over once in the league since mid-December, Ajax just the twice. So, almost as much as wanting to win the cup, neither will want to give their rivals the psychological boost of beating them.

But deep down it’s the league both want. Twente will want to prove they are no flash in the pan and Ajax well to finally scratch that seven-year itch. Bring it on.

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Dutch title race heads for final-day showdown

2011-04-27T10:45:00Z

So it comes down to this. With two games left, the possibility of the Dutch league title being decided on the final day is well and truly on. It’s what the neutrals wanted – and most definitely what the TV folks wanted – but there’s still one more obstacle to overcome until we have a final-day drama like in 2007.

Going into the final day of the 2006/07 season, the top three were locked on 72 points. AZ Alkmaar's goal difference kept them clear of Ajax (+47) and PSV (+46). For Louis van Gaal's side it was simple: win and they would be crowned champions for the first time since 1981.

AZ travelled to face relegation-threatened Excelsior Rotterdam, Ajax were at Willem II and PSV entertained Vitesse. Ajax won 2-0, but AZ lost 3-2 – a 90th-minute winner from Johan Voskamp shattering a season's hard work.

In the end it was PSV that were crowned champions – by a solitary goal, thanks to skipper Philip Cocu completing their 5-1 rout 13 minutes from time. To AZ's credit, that last-day drama and disappointment didn’t depress them – they would become champions two years later.

Fast forward to 2011 and there's still the possibility of replicating that three-way final-day decider – although the likelihood has been reduced by Feyenoord gaining some sweet revenge over PSV with a 3-1 win that may have ended the Eindhoven side's hopes of a first title in three seasons.

Last October's 10-0 humiliation at the Philips Stadion was the heaviest in Feyenoord's history and head coach Mario Been said it would live with him for the rest of his life. In truth, it could have seen him sacked from the job a year in. But such has been the club’s resurgence since that, going into the game, you felt the gods were on their side.

In great contrast to the gloomy images that befell the Rotterdam side after their last-minute defeat at the hands of De Graafschap in late January, that evening's tormented soul Georginio Wijnaldum capped off a man of the match performance that surely would alert potential suitors: Liverpool, Chelsea, AC Milan and Real Madrid have all been linked with the 20-year-old playmaker.

Before the game there was a moment's silence in tribute to the passing of one of the club's greatest managers, Wiel Coerver. Although best remembered worldwide for the revolutionary youth training methods which now bear his surname, in Rotterdam he is remembered as the man who guided Feyenoord to their first UEFA Cup in 1974.

Coerver more than anyone would have been pleased to see Feyenoord’s youngsters shining against PSV. Wijnaldum took the plaudits for his brace – two expertly taken headers that Ruud Gullit would have been proud of, from two beautiful crosses from Diego Biseswar. It was Leroy Fer in the heart of midfield that Been praised after the game, while Ryo Miyaichi – whose appearance most probably prompted Feyenoord’s recent renaissance – was again a nuisance, as PSV did not know how to handle him.

FEATURE Thu 28 Apr Miyaichi inspires change in Feyenoord's fortune

The away side's frustration came to a boiling point when captain Oranldo Engelaar was shown a straight red after a dangerous two-footed tackle on Luc Castaignos – though moments later they did pull a goal back through Ola Toinoven. But it was Castaignos who got the last laugh and continued his impressive recent goal scoring form. How Feyenoord fans will miss him when he leaves for Inter in the summer, before they really got to know him.

Myaichi: "They can't catch me!"

The exuberance was seeping out of Been after the game, as a traumatic experience was laid to rest. “We outplayed PSV in every area of the game,” he said – and despite PSV ending the game a man down, no one could take the impressive win away from him and his side.

They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and all those months he must have plotted for this moment and he pulled it off in a performance that bodes well for their remaining two games and the possibility of sneaking into a Europa League play-off spot (they're only a point behind the eighth position which would get them in the play-offs).

In the medium term it remains to be seen how they will cope with the departures of Miyaichi, Castaignos and possibly Wijnaldum in the summer – althoug course there’s the possibility of all three staying if Arsenal will lend them the Japanese speedster again and Inter loan back their new striker to gain more experience.

PSV's loss was Ajax's gain, the Amsterdam side moving into second spot and keeping a point behind FC Twente. The leaders had done their bit on Good Friday, overcoming a dogged Den Haag side 2-1 – and at one stage on the Sunday afternoon, Twente coach Michel Preud'homme must have thought this could be his weekend: as the Ajax-Excelsior and Feyenoord-PSV games reached the hour mark, they were both level at 1-1.

Ajax had taken a first-half lead through Lorenzo Ebecilo and seemed to be coasting to a 20th league win, but early in second half a spanner was thrown into the works. Frank de Boer knew that his side had been lucky lately to stay in the hunt for their 30th championship (the last coming in 2003/04) – and they slipped up again, allowing Daan Bovenberg to equalise.

A sudden hush fell over the Amsterdam Arena, in complete contrast to the massive roars which had greeted Feyenoord’s opener – which was shown on the screens in the stadium, enraging the Dutch FA and visitors Excelsior.

At that moment, Twente were three points ahead of both their title rivals and it felt like that equaliser knocked the stuffing right out of Ajax, but a stroke of fortune put paid to that. Gregory van der Wiel, whose future has been questioned, looked offside but his pass fell to the mercurial Christian Eriksen who bungled the ball home on his second attempt and restored Ajax’s lead for good.

The home side added two more, two more beautifully taken goals – Ebecilio poking home the second and Ajax’s third, created by the brilliant vision of Miralem Sulejmani. The Serbian, surplus to requirements under Martin Jol, has thrived under De Boer. Even better was the final goal: Siem de Jong's breathtaking bicycle kick might even rival the great Marco van Basten’s famous efforts. OK, maybe not.

After the game Frank de Boer – tongue firmly in cheek – thanked Feyenoord for their victory over PSV, with a simple “thank you Mario” to the camera. In more serious mode, he went on to speak of the importance of staying focused: “We have fully regained the initiative. We will have only ourselves to blame if things go wrong.”

If Ajax and Twente both win their games this Sunday (at Heerenveen and at home to Willem II respectively), the title will be decided on the final day… when the two teams meet at the Amsterdam Arena. And before that both sides will meet in the Dutch Cup final in Rotterdam on May 8.

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With the league seemingly lost, what’s left for PSV is finishing second (with its coveted Champions League spot), something they will attain if they win their next two games – meaning the loser on the final day between Ajax and Twente will most certainly drop to the Europa League. It most certainly is squeaky bum time.

RESULTS Fri 22 Apr ADO Den Haag 1-2 Twente Sat 23 Apr Willem II 2-1 AZ, Heracles 2-0 De Graafschap, Roda JC 5-1 NAC Breda, VVV 2-2 Heerenveen Sun 24 Apr Ajax 4-1 Excelsior, Utrecht 4-2 Vitesse, Feyenoord 3-1 PSV, Groningen 3-1 NEC

Arsenal loanee Miyaichi helps inspire big change in Feyenoord's fortunes

2011-04-21T15:30:00Z

October 24 2010, is a date that will forever live in the memory of Feyenoord fans. On that fateful Sunday afternoon in Eindhoven, their team were humiliated 10-0 by PSV, a game which coach Mario Been described as “a black page” in the history of the club.

Since then Feyenoord have slowly dusted themselves down and despite going through more anguish along the way, they are now a point away from capturing what had seemed an unlikely Europa League playoff spot - but more importantly they seem to be in the right frame of mind to exorcise those demons when PSV come to town for the return fixture this Sunday.

Been, who was already under tremendous pressure going into the October game – with Feyenoord having won just two games from their first nine played – couldn’t have foreseen his side capitulating like they did, their worst defeat in 27 years.

Any talk of the contract extension he had wanted was put well and truly on ice, despite the board giving him the dreaded vote of confidence, but that didn’t stop despondent Feyenoorders from airing their grievances outside the club’s training ground in the days that followed.

That heavy defeat left Feyenoord perilously close to the relegation zone. In fact only their superior ‘goals scored’ kept them above Vitesse and above the dreaded drop zone.

A win over VVV Venlo at home the following week was a rare bright spot as Been’s men failed to win another game until late November when a win over ADO Den Haag began a mini revival.

Their position at the end of the first half of the season had improved since that infamous defeat at the Philips Stadion, but Feyenoord returned to poor form at the turn of the year, with three straight league defeats including a loss against bitter rivals Ajax. Relegation was now a real possibility

The most painful moment – in amidst their woeful spell – was the gut-wrenching last minute defeat at home to De Graafschap in late January. If the defeat to PSV was a ‘black day’ in the clubs history, then this was definitely the most emotionally dramatic.

It was their tenth defeat of the season, and their third consecutive one at home. De Graafschap, who were also fighting a relegation battle, managed to grab all the points in the dying minutes through Leon Broekhof.

At the full-time whistle the toll of fighting a relegation battle got too much for youngsters Stefan de Vrij and Georginio Wijnaldum who left the field in tears, consoled by their more experienced team mates Ron Vlaar and Tim de Cler.

Throughout the game negative chants were directed at the team, something Been strongly condemned afterwards, stating that the chants cut through his side like a knife.

It was also an emotional time off the pitch at the club, with ‘Mr Feyenoord’, club legend Coen Moulijn passing away in the same month, which lead to poignant tributes acorss Rotterdam.

Feyenoord were heading towards the unthinkable, the unimaginable - one of the big three in Holland could realistically be playing in the second tier. Something needed to be done, they needed a spark, and they just got that, in the shape of Ryo Miyaichi.

On loan from Arsenal, the predacious talent from Japan debuted against Heracles and became an instant hero. His display of ‘no fear’ began to rub on the rest of his team-mates and began to sway the fans into a more positive outlook. They were in ecstacy chanting “Ryo!, Ryo!, Ryo!”. He gave the team what they needed, galvanised the side. Now they could ward off relegation and maybe even mount a challenge for Europe.

But it was only the beginning for this youthful Feyenoord side – who set a club record for fielding their youngest XI only a week or so ago against FC Utrecht, with an average age of 21 – who had begun to resurrect their faltering season and in the process establish new heroes.

Georginio Wijnaldum is no longer in tears but smiling, Luc Castaignos - although Inter bound in the summer - is not leaving without a fight, and Stefan de Vrij has started to look a colossus in defence.

PSV’s win earlier in the season only equalled their biggest victory; three times in history they’ve scored 10 without reply.

Hat-trick hero on the day Jonathan Reis has since been ruled out for the rest of the season, damaging his knee before Christmas in a game against Roda JC. Captain on the day, and goal scorer, Ibrahim Afellay has since left for pastures new basking in the warm Catalan weather, but Balazs Dzsudzsák, Jeremain Lens and Ola Toivonen all remain, hoping to continue where they left off.

However the Eindhoven side have faltered since the international break, losing their top of the table tussle against FC Twente, and then squandered two points at home to Heerenveen. They have now bounced back to the summit – albeit on goal difference – after a 2-0 win over Heracles away from home with the imperious Dzsudzsák and Marcus Berg with the goals.

History is also on PSV’s side; De Kuip has been a good hunting ground of late, one defeat in their last four visits. Including a 3-1 victory last season.

Since Miyaichi’s debut Feyenoord have played eight times in the league, impressively winning five of those games and losing just twice. The biggest positive for Been has been their ruthlessness in front of goal. The new found confidence and attitude has reaped the benefits, in those eight unbeaten games Feyenoord have scored 20 goals and three of those matches have seen them score four or more.

Just as well with PSV coming to town, and revenge on the agenda. It’s also a catch 22 situation for Feyenoord fans. Victory over PSV would be payback for the 10-0 drubbing, but it could aid eternal rivals Ajax in their quest to win their first league championship in seven years.

It's a conundrum Stefan de Vrij has accepted, speaking after the 6-1 win over Willem II, he sympathised with the section of the fans who don’t want to see their club inadvertently hand the title to Ajax.

He reiterated that if Feyenoord are to end the season on a high note and play for a Europa League place then they need to win all their remaining games which includes the PSV match. De Vrij also spoke of a chance to gain some revenge for the brutal loss earlier in the season.

Mario Been also stressed that he understood the antipathy towards the Amsterdam club, but wants nothing more to rectify the biggest defeat and darkest moment in his young managerial career.

With FC Twente faltering and travelling to play Den Haag in the weekends other big game, there’s every chance Frank de Boer’s Ajax side, who face relegation threatened Excelsior at home could benefit the most from the resurgence of the Rotterdam side.

Den Haag in the frame as Eredivisie European battle hots up

2011-04-18T11:23:00Z

It’s starting to get interesting towards the top of the Eredivisie - and I’m not just talking about the title race, which now sees the top three separated by just one point, but also the race for the Europa League spots.

The European play-off system - which pits the sides finishing fifth to eighth against one another in a battle for Holland's last Europa League spot - has its fans and detractors, but what it does provide is additional late season excitement. Although that’s no compensation to the sides that have lost out on a European spot despite finishing higher in the league than the eventual qualifier.

The sides currently occupying the play-off spots are AZ Alkmaar, ADO Den Haag, Roda JC, FC Groningen and FC Utrecht; but fourth placed AZ Alkmaar will still be looking back over their shoulder, and a host of sides further down the league will still fancy their chances of pinching a place.

All of the sides in the European mix have had spectacular seasons in one way or another, but none more so than Den Haag, who many tipped to be fighting off relegation rather than battling for a first European spot since 1987.

It’s been a rollercoaster last few seasons for the Haugue side. Relegation to the Eerste Divisie - the second tier in Holland - at the end of the 2006-07 season left them on the road to nowhere, but they duly bounced back via the play-offs and made it back to the top flight at the first time of asking, looking to settle back into a life of mid-table mediocrity and the occasional flirt with relegation.
But this season has been different, and it might be down to a surprise and now seemingly inspired managerial appointment.

Den Haag finished a place above the relegation zone last season, and in the summer parted company with caretaker manager Maurice Steijn, who had temporarily taken over the reins from previous manager Raymond Atteveld towards the end of last season. John den Brom, a rookie in terms of managerial experience, was appointed in his stead.

His achievements to date has been remarkable, although his success should perhaps not be too much of a surprise, given that he played under Louis van Gaal at Ajax during the mid 90’s.
An away win at PSV Eindhoven and a league ‘double’ over Ajax for the first time in the club’s history have been the cornerstones of Den Haag’s transformation from relegation candidates to possible Europa League participants – a turnaround that has now got many tipping Den Brom to end the season with the manager of the year award.

Prior to their game against AZ on Saturday, Den Haag had managed 16 league victories so far this season, nine more than the whole of the previous campaign - three more away and six more at home.

The visit to Alkmaar was going to be another major test, given the close proximity of the two teams in league terms, Den Haag lying in fourth – in the automatic Europa League qualifying spot – with a point more than AZ, who knew victory would be enough to see them leapfrog their rivals – which was exactly what they did.

A 3-1 win for the home side saw the pair swap league positions. Kolbeinn Sigthórsson had set Gertjan Verbeek’s men on their way and later on a costly error from Timothy Derijck saw AZ double their lead through Australian Brett Holman. Despite Derijck then pulling a goal back, Nick van der Velden made sure the points were safe minutes from the end.

With only three games to go, three of AZ, Den Haag, Roda JC and FC Groningen will almost certainly finish in the Europa League play-off spots while one will enter straight into the third qualifying round.

Groningen missed an opportunity to maintain their advantage over Roda JC, losing 2-1 away to Vitesse after Albert Ferrer's men mounted a superb second half comeback thanks to goals from Wilfried Bony and Guram Kashia – the win has all but saved the Arnhem side from the stress of the relegation play-offs.

Roda, on the other hand, produced an impressive display at home against VVV Venlo. Mads Junker didn’t do his chances of ending the season with the Golden Boot any harm with a first half hat-trick in his sides comfortable 5-2 win. The Dane is now a goal behind Björn Vleminckx on the goalscorers chart.

However it’s FC Utrecht’s position, eighth in the table – the final play-off spot, that has become most precarious. Ominously, just two points separate them and NEC Nijmegen in twelfth spot. Among the hunting pack are Feyenoord, who have enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since the winter break.

The Rotterdam giants were in serious danger of relegation, an unthinkable demise which looked a real possibility after defeat to fellow strugglers De Graafschap in late January.
Just 11 league games later things are looking far rosier. Feyenoord have won six of those 11 matches - most of them in emphatic fashion.

A thumping 6-1 victory over lowly Willem II - with Georginio Wijnaldum, Ryo Miyaichi (on loan from Arsenal) and Inter Milan bound Luc Castaignos all on the score sheet - has now left them with a real chance of ending their season with an opportunity to play in Europe next season.

A real test of their mettle will be the visit of PSV next weekend. Den Haag will welcome FC Twente, while cursing their luck that the fixture computer has given AZ a far more relaxing away trip to Willem II.

Could this season's Euro struggles be a warning sign for Dutch football?

2011-04-14T13:03:00Z

Dutch football blogger Mohamed Moallim ponders whether there are big problems facing club football in Holland in the light of Dutch sides' poor performances in Europe this season...

As they enter tonight's Europa League quarterfinal second legs, Holland's two remaining representatives have a mountain to climb.

The Dutch top two were well and truly humbled in their Europa League quarter-final first-leg ties last week. But what was the cause - bad tactics, bad luck or a more worrying longer term nation-wide trend?

It was as if Murphy’s Law was in full swing at the Estádio da Luz and El Madrigal - anything that could go wrong, did go wrong, with a combined nine goals conceded by PSV Eindhoven and FC Twente, and a just two meekly mustered between them in reply as they headed back to Holland with their tails firmly between their legs.

It is easy to be over-critical - neither side surrendered, it was just the case of running into two inspired opponents - Benfica and Villarreal - who were one or two levels above them, but one wonders in light of these results what the immediate future holds for Dutch football.

Saviola scores Benfica's fourth against PSV

Let’s not forget these are the best two teams Holland has to offer right now, but there’s no hiding place in the latter stages of either one of Europe’s major cup competitions. While it’s fair to suggest neither side will have set winning the Europa League as their top priority, surely there’s more to life than just winning the national championship?

It’s very likely that one or both of these sides will be playing in the Champions League next season - and like supporting characters in a bad horror movie their demise has become predictable. They’ll no doubt give their all but will fall short, whether in the group stages or the first knockout round.

Of course the prestige and financial reward of playing in the competition is what really matters. Simply reaching the group phase will earn them more than most teams in their homeland will earn over the course of the season in television and prize money.

But in turn winning the competition becomes a farfetched dream given the minimal resources they have compared to teams from the bigger leagues, and even some a tad smaller.

Trouble at home?

The week didn't get much better for Holland’s European representatives, as both dropped vital points in the title race last weekend, allowing Ajax right back in to the race. The top three are now only separated by three points with four games to go.

PSV and Ola Toinoven left it very late to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Heerenveen. The Eindhoven side took the lead through Jermain Lens, only to be pegged back by Ousama Assaidi and minutes later Bas Dost as the game was turned on its head.

Not for the first time, Theo Janssen was Twente’s hero at De Grolsch Veste, scoring a late penalty to deny Roda JC a shock victory after Boldizsar Bodor had given the away side the lead.

These lucky escapes will both go down as a rare blip - nine times out of ten this season both matches would have ended in victory for the stronger home side and this could possibly offer another explanation of their European failings.

As great as the Eredivisie is to watch, it doesn’t offer a real examination of the top clubs on a regular enough basis. While there is the occasional upset here and there, in reality both PSV and Twente - and you could even still include out-of-sorts Ajax on the list - are big fish in a small pond. But even they become small fishes in vast lakes of European competition.

Tactical errors

Ajax offered a perfect example when they met Real Madrid at the Bernabéu earlier in the season in a game they really should have lost by double figures, and would have had it not been for the brilliance of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

There was a suggestion that night that Martin Jol’s strange choice of tactics and formation had a negative effect on his side, and similar claims were directed at Twente coach Michel Preud'homme after his team were torpedoed by The Yellow Submarine.

Preud'homme sprang a surprise from the start by benching in-form winger Nacer Chadli in what appeared to be a brave tactical decision as he opted for a 3-4-3 formation instead of his usual 4-3-3. And for a while he looked vindicated, his plan to nullify the Villarreal threat was working.

Valero delivers the knock-out blow to FC Twente

But once Juan Carlos Garrido’s men took the lead, Twente’s self-belief was dealt a blow and in unfamiliar surroundings they collapsed with Villarreal scoring a further four times, with Twente's only coming when Marc Janko pinched an away goal in injury time.

After the game the Belgian coach couldn’t offer any explanation for the heavy defeat beyond their inability to recover from conceding the opener, and it was alarming that despite Villarreal taking full control of the game he failed to change formation, which played straight into the hands of the Spanish side.

PSV fared only marginally better, losing 4-1 in Lisbon. Historically they’ve struggled on Portuguese soil but this was by far their worst defeat. Yet at one stage there looked like an outside chance of progression.

At 3-1 it wasn’t out of the realms of possibility for them to win 2-0 at the Philips Stadion, but then in the second minute of stoppage time they carelessly conceded a fourth goal and it now looks an uphill task for Fred Rutten’s troops.

A history of success

Dutch football is at its lowest ebb, but it wasn’t always like this. Between 1970 and 1995 Dutch sides won a total of six European Cups, three UEFA Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup.

You have to go back to 2002 for the last time a Dutch side tasted glory on the European stage. That was a Feyenoord side under the stewardship of current national team boss Bert van Marwijk which included a young Robin van Persie as they won the UEFA Cup final against Borrusia Dortmund.

Since then only PSV have enjoyed a European campaign of note, reaching the semi-finals of the 2004/05 Champions League campaign and in fact being only a whisker away from a place in the final, only for a 91st minute strike from Massimo Ambrosini to deal them the cruellest of blows.

Since then there have only been sporadic successes - AZ Alkmaar got to the quarter-final stage of the 2006-07 UEFA Cup and PSV did the same the following year, both bowing out in spectacular fashion.

PSV's 2005 vintage were left heartbroken against Milan

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason Dutch sides have performed so woefully as a collective. Each side have their own individual issues, of course, but there are some striking similarities. It’s often the case that their squads are full of young players, and therefore there is a real lack of experience at the highest level. Indeed, once the best youngsters do get that experience, they are often snapped up by clubs for other leagues.

As a result it’s very difficult for a club to keep a settled squad for more than a couple of seasons, once they gain a rhythm of familiarity and experience together it’s quickly dismantled with the better players leaving for pastures new.

The difficulty sides from Holland have in competing financially with clubs from most other European leagues mean attracting the players needed to make a real splash in Europe is increasingly becoming a pipe dream.

This plight has not gone unnoticed by the powerbrokers, with Dutch FA president Michael van Praag last year speaking ominously of the future, blaming the Bosman ruling and greed of agents coupled with the rapid globalisation of the game for the decline of club football in his country.

Only a pessimist would suggest Dutch sides can never again achieve the same levels of continental success they once enjoyed, but for the time being it looks a long way off.

Will Cruyff's velvet revolution at Ajax end in glory or turmoil?

2011-04-07T17:06:00Z

Dutch football blogger Mohamed Moallim looks back at the past of Ajax hero Johann Cruyff to decipher whether his latest return to Amsterdam is likely to end in tears of anguish or joy...

In the space of little over a week the velvet revolution led by Johan Cruyff and his cohorts was in danger of turning into a reign of terror, with Cruyff assuming the Maximilien Robespierre role.

Last Wednesday the Ajax supervisory board, appointed as a result of an internal investigation conducted the last time the Amsterdam club were as deeply embroiled in crisis back in 2008, resigned.

Club Chairman Uri Coronel cited the ongoing turmoil at the club as the reason for their departure, and reasoned that Cruyff’s god-like status at the club had made it impossible for them to win the hearts and minds of the vastly disgruntled fans, despite attempting what Cruyff labelled had a smear campaign.

At first it seemed as though the rumblings behind the scenes could affect the players on the pitch, chants of ‘Johan’ grew throughout the home game against Heracles on Sunday as the home team struggled to break down their opponents.

The tetchy atmosphere was quelled in the 58th minute when a fortunate Oleguer goal broke the deadlock before Siem de Jong’s quickly added his eight of the season.

By that stage, Ajax looked settled and grabbed a third from Araz Özbiliz, his first for the club. The heralded the impressive début of Danish teenager Nicolai Boilesen - playing at left-back coming on for the injured Daley Blind, although a centre-back by trade. He gave a virtuoso performance that could see him as a permanent fixture in the not-too-distant future.

Cruyff, for all his greatness, is no stranger to turmoil at the club. As a young player was often at loggerheads with his more experienced team mates, sometimes lambasting them for something as simple as losing possession. He also famously went against the power-brokers at Ajax and won more player freedom at the club, demanding full-time contracts at a time when players were no more than semi-pros.

However in 1973, after 10 successful years, Cruyff left the club in somewhat unceremonious circumstances - even today nobody knows the full truth behind his departure, although it is widely speculated to be at least partly down to him losing the captaincy. Despite his great presence on the field of play and the artistry and imagination that captivated his audiences, Cruyff had a contradictory side.

A winner by any definition, Cruyff insisted on the highest of standards from his team mates, although he did at times seem to have difficulty owning up to his own shortcomings. Whenever he lost possession, it wasn’t his fault - it would be the player who passed the ball. If his pass to a team mate didn’t reach its target then it would be that team mate who was to blame.

After eight years split across spells at four clubs in Spain and the United States, Cruyff returned to Ajax in 1981, although not before handing out a piece of unwanted advice from the stands to then boss Leo Beenhakker.

Cruyff was in the stands for a match against FC Twente, and ambled down to the dug-out to lectured the manager on where exactly he was going wrong and how to correct it. And, as if this wasn’t unhelpful enough, it was caught live by national television cameras.

Ajax, who at the time was losing 3-1, managed to turn things around on the basis of Cruyff’s advice - winning the game 5-3. Beenhakker was humiliated, what should have been his finest moment was overshadowed (highlights below).

Beenhakker later muttered that he “should have socked Jopie (Cruyff‘s nickname in his homeland) on the jaw then and there. Live on telly. The smug little b*st*rd….”

Despite being in the twilight of his career, there was still time for another falling out with the club he loved. After three successful years back in Amsterdam, it was time to negotiate a new contract.

The board, at the time lead by chairman Ton Harmsen, were reluctant to match Cruyff’s demands. They reasoned that Cruyff wasn’t getting any younger and wouldn’t be value for money - this no doubt dismayed the player and in an act that could best be described as typically Cruyff, he signed for fierce rivals Feyenoord, proving the Ajax board wrong by helping secure a league and cup double for the Rotterdam club.

But, true to form, Cruyff soon reconciled with Ajax, taking over as coach in 1985, with the Dutch FA turning a blind eye to his lack of qualifications.

In the first three seasons in the dugout, Ajax won two Dutch Cups and a Cup Winners’ Cup in 1987, but things quickly took a turn for the worse. First a training ground bust-up with Frank Rijkaard, who later vowed to never play under the coach again.

The straw that broke them camel’s back came when the board sold captain Marco van Basten to AC Milan, Cruyff putting it politely blew a gasket and that was that, his last official position at Ajax ended, he moved to FC Barcelona where he gained unparalleled success, but his story with Ajax didn’t stop here.

As Louis van Gaal began to put Ajax back on the map in the mid 1990’s, an irrational and personal vendetta from Cruyff towards Van Gaal began to surface. Some say it was down to jealousy, speculating that the legendary No.14 felt he didn’t enjoy the same support from the boardroom as Van Gaal during his own tenure in the dugout.

This feud continued when Van Gaal became coach at Barcelona, with Cruyff often be overcritical of his compatriot’s coaching methods when talking to the press - something Van Gaal has yet to forgive him for to this day.

But it didn’t just stop at Van Gaal – Cruyff would continue to pick away at a string of Ajax coaches over the next decade, including Morten Olsen and Co Adriaanse.

The patern had finally looked like ending in 2008, when Marco van Basten, one of Cruyff’s disciples, signed to become coach after leaving the national team (a role the Dutch FA gave after persuading by Cruyff).

Shortly later it was announced Cruyff would be returning to the club as technical director in the wake of the departure of the previous board. Cruyff said shortly after “Nobody has ever – and I mean ever – said, ‘You fix it’.”

“They don’t dare ask. Because if I have to do it, I will fix it, but I’ll do it in a way many people won’t like. That’s why they keep me at arm’s length.”

However things turned sooner even sooner than was expected, when a month later Cruyff pulled out of the proposed return citing “professional difference of opinion” between him and Van Basten, who complained that Cruyff’s plans were “going too fast.”

And now, fast forward to 2011, when it seemed a brave new world would be ushered in, many are wondering if it’s yet more uncertain times.

When now he is expected to be a unifying force he’s already become the opposite. His admission that he wouldn’t assume an official role has left many fans questioning his inability to place himself in a position of responsibility for the club that he clearly loves.

Instead he’d rather stay on as an advisor to Wim Jonk, Dennis Bergkamp and Frank de Boer. His plan is for all three to get actively involved in training youth players, focusing more on their individual skills than on team play at the early stages of their development.

His plan will see Bergkamp become head of the youth academy (De Toekomst), Jonk head of scouting and De Boer remaining as first team coach. "It's clear what has to happen," he said after leaving the meeting last Wednesday. "We are ready."

His legacy of embracing the club’s philosophy and as a pioneer of the brand of football with which Ajax became synonymous means it’s hard for the club to say no to him – despite his disruptive past.

After all, the groundwork he laid at Barcelona didn’t leave the Catalan club on too bad a footing...