Pro ShotsA radiant smile on the face of coach Dirk Kuijt
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 12:48
Thierry Boon
reporter NOS Sport
Thierry Boon
reporter NOS Sport
Today he can secure promotion to the top division in Belgium with Beerschot. And otherwise it will probably happen next week. In the shelter of the second level in Belgium, 104-time international Dirk Kuijt continues to build his coaching career.
For the time being, that career is mainly characterized by disappointments. The big goal, becoming coach of Feyenoord, is still far away. “Of course that remains a dream.”
He scored in the Champions League final for Liverpool, almost won the World Cup in South Africa with the Dutch team and won the national title with Feyenoord in his last match. Unforgettable moments that seem far away, this windy Friday afternoon in Wommelgem.
Because its own training complex is being renovated, Beerschot is temporarily moving to Sports Center Brieleke, just outside Antwerp. From the outdated and otherwise deserted site, Kuijt talks about the impending promotion with Beerschot and his eternal love for Feyenoord.
Last year around this time you were still in Rotterdam, where you could watch with Arne Slot towards the national title. What did you actually learn from that?
“As a player I already had the privilege of working with top coaches such as Louis van Gaal, Rafael Benítez and Bert van Marwijk. But it is also very nice to be invited by Arne, who in my opinion is an absolute top coach. to check on him.”
ANPAt Liverpool with Spanish coach Rafael Benítez
“Then you learn from the way he prepares for duels and how that is reflected in the match. It’s great to experience that from the inside for a few days.”
But what do you notice about trainer Arne Slot?
“His enormous enthusiasm. Just like the best coaches I have experienced, he is very into the details. But we made an agreement at the time that I would not say too much about the content.”
After your first job as a trainer at ADO, where you were fired after 176 days, you were looking for some rest. Did you find it in Belgium?
“Yes. The Dutch press in particular has left me alone here. I learned a lot from the unsuccessful period at ADO. Then it is very nice to be able to develop further here as a trainer.”
Is there another approach?
“I notice that it is quieter for me to work here now than at ADO. There is less attention from the press at all and I really like that, because I especially want to develop on the field.”
Pro ShotsDirk Kuijt waves to the Beerschot fans
“Look, I naturally became known as a football player. As a result, you automatically receive a lot of attention as a starting trainer. That is why it is now nice to experience that a little less intensely in Belgium.”
You would become head coach of Feyenoord, the club had promised you that. Yet then technical director Frank Arnesen chose Slot in 2021, after which you later left. How do you look back on that?
“In retrospect, it was a good thing. The coaching profession is an experience profession and learning never stops. This applies to a top trainer like Slot, but also to Kuijt who has only just started. I am happy with the experiences I have gained, also the negative ones. You learn from that.”
With today’s knowledge, coach Kuijt says: ‘The time was not yet ripe for Feyenoord’
“As a Feyenoord player, I am happy with Slot as a trainer. I look at it with admiration and I can only enjoy it. In the meantime, I am trying to take my steps in the profession in my own way.”
Knowing what you know now, was it just too early for you then?
“I was certainly not ready for it at that time. I think that in the end everything happens for a reason. At the time it felt like a disappointment, but football is like life: it’s trial and error. And if you fall, you have to make sure you get up again quickly. That has made me a stronger person.”
Do you consider yourself mature enough for Feyenoord?
“I am absolutely not concerned with that. It feels like I am in the right place at Beerschot. My contract expires in the summer, but I would prefer to continue developing here.”
ANPDirk Kuijt as youth coach of Feyenoord
But suppose Slot leaves. Do you think Feyenoord would come to you?
“I don’t think so, to be honest. That is a feeling I have. Why? You should ask Feyenoord that. It is purely my feeling. Of course I dream of returning to De Kuip one day, but that is at this moment unrealistic.”
First get your PhD with Beerschot. With three matches to go, you have a five-point lead over two pursuers and the top two are promoted. How do you guard against euphoria?
“I made the comparison with the championship year at Feyenoord, when we were able to win the national title against Excelsior. They were already relegated, but still won against us. Unpredictable things can always happen. It is not over yet.”
2024-04-06 10:48:34
#Return #Kuip #remains #dream
