Former Ajax talent revives in Spakenburg: ‘He is much too good’ | Football

“We have a good relationship,” says the young coach. It can be. When De Graaf acted as interim pope for the second time in the fall of 2021, Dekker (25) was relegated to the second. “Because of the troubles with IJsselmeer birds”, De Graaf refers to the riot that had arisen after Dekker had given his yes to the hereditary enemy. Later, the former teammate of Donny van de Beek and Appie Nouri would still sign a three-year contract with Spakenburg. “I then brought him back and adapted almost the entire way of playing to him.” Prompt Dekker was good for 22 assists.

Retirement home

De Graaf does not think he has done anything ‘special’. “I’ve just been honest. Look: everyone sees that he is a talented boy. But only that part is named, there is also a downside to him, namely the reason that he is at Spakenburg and does not play football in the Eredivisie. The reason for that? De Graaf: „I think that when Gino is later in the elderly home, he may think that he could have gotten more out of his career. That boy doesn’t really belong here, he’s way too good. He has had an offer a few times, but he doesn’t like it. I’m sure his cross would be one of the best in the Eredivisie. Both with the left and with the right. I’ve never seen that.”

Archrival has best cup performance

In a village where the rivalry between Spakenburg and IJsselmeervogels often reaches astronomical heights, IJsselmeervogels has shown itself to be the most successful of the two famous amateur clubs in history. That’s how the grub up not just more general amateur titles than the Bluing (seven to two), IJsselmeervogels was the only amateur club ever to reach the semi-finals of the KNVB Cup in 1975. FC Twente was much too strong in this with 6-0, but nevertheless the ‘Vogels’ were chosen as Sports Team of the Year.

A ‘superb achievement’, according to Chris de Graaf. “Although I must say that football has changed enormously in those fifty years. At that time there were hardly any foreigners”, said the Spakenburg coach with a little jealousy. “I must honestly say that I would like it if we reached the semi-finals. Then that is also rectified.”

read it whole story with Spakenburg trainer Chris de Graaf in the premium edition of De Telegraaf/Telesport on Tuesday 27 February