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NOS Football•
Mark Wotte’s already versatile resume has a new adventurous chapter. The 61-year-old Dutchman has joined the Syrian Football Association, where he will become technical director of the youth academy. In addition, he wants to try with the under-23 team to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris via the Asian Cup.
Wotte, in the distant past defender at Feyenoord, FC Den Haag and SVV, coached in Dutch clubs such as FC Utrecht, ADO Den Haag, FC Den Bosch, RKC and Willem II. For the past fifteen years, he has mainly been active outside the national borders.
Morocco, Egypt, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia; Wotte was everywhere. “I like working in the Middle East. I am very happy with the opportunity of the Syrian Football Federation. I know that the country is building a better future and football is part of the culture here,” said Wotte. at his presentation.
Syria has been unsettled for years. What started with a popular uprising resulted in a protracted civil war with hundreds of thousands of dead. Syria is still a country in ruins with residents living in fear.
Despite this, Wotte has decided to commit herself to the Syrian federation for several years. In their own words, the conditions in Syria are calm and work can be done well. Nevertheless, the matches are played abroad.
‘Mark Wotte, no Harry Potter’
“I immediately became enthusiastic about this opportunity,” said the coach, who wants to temper any expectations. “I’m Mark Wotte, not Harry Potter. I don’t have a magic wand that can change the future in a flash. It’s going to be a long-term project.”
The Dutchman Wilco van Buuren, former midfielder at Ajax and PEC Zwolle, will also work with the youth of the Syrian federation. Both sign for one year with an option for 3 years.
