Timmy Simons will take Westerlo under his wing for the next two seasons. The coach was promoted to the first division with Dender, but is opting for a new adventure: “Westerlo has grown enormously with the necessary ambition. Although they have also remained that family club,” he told our editors.
Timmy Simons explains his choice for Westerlo: “I have always had good memories of that club. Although as a player less good memories,” he laughs.
“Going to the “Kuipke” as an opponent was never fun. That has always stayed with me.”
“It is a fantastic club. I was able to visit the accommodations, this is a very different Westerlo than x number of years ago. The owners have invested a huge amount in the infrastructure. The club has really grown.”
“They have remained that family club, but with the necessary, healthy ambition. That really appealed to me.”
The location also played a role: “It is in the region where I grew up, it is not that far from my parental home.” Simons comes from the neighboring municipality of Ramsel.
“I am happy that I was able to take this step.”
I have ambition and go for the highest possible achievement at that moment.
Timmy Simons
So he will not reap the fruits of his work at Dender, which he guided to the Jupiler Pro League with a second place in the Challenger Pro League. Wasn’t it difficult to leave them at this time?
“I would like to thank everyone at Dender for the good cooperation. What we have all achieved this season… I really mean it “all together”: you cannot do this alone as a team, as a player or as staff. You need everyone to make this happen.”
“I would also like to thank the supporters, because they have really pushed us forward. That’s a cliché, but when you see what they have achieved in recent months, it has been incredibly great.”
“I’m not saying it was a miracle, but I don’t think anyone expected these performances. That’s nice to look back on, but you also know that in football sometimes after 2 or 3 defeats you are screwed as a coach .”
“On the other hand, if you get the opportunity to take steps, you should try to take it.”
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“I like a bit of pressure”
From second to first division, from Dender to the ambitious Westerlo, which announced him as one of the most promising coaches. The pressure will be different. “That in itself is not a problem. I am someone who sets the bar quite high for myself. I want to try to keep the pressure off the other boys.”
“I have ambition and go for the highest attainable at that moment. It means performing every day. As a coach, as a player, as an employee of a club… you have to perform every day.”
“The past doesn’t count at all anymore. That’s the mindset. I’m going to approach it positively. I like a bit of pressure, that’s no problem.”
What is his ambition with Westerlo next season? “We must initially look at whether we can have a more stable year.”
“It wasn’t the easiest season with a lot of young guys and a lot of potential. You have to find a good mix between some experience and boys of 18, 19 and 20 who can do their thing.”
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2024-05-23 11:08:14
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