Jonker Street: Popularity & Controversy Explained

• Jonna ter veer

  Follows the European Championship in Switzerland

After Friday’s eventful press conference, Andries Jonker is on the training field. Separated from the rest of the staff. He walks back and forth and seems to think about what just happened. The critical questions of journalists about why he shared in the NOS football podcast that he had considered stopping yesterday – two days before the European Opening match against Wales. And his outburst of anger when a journalist called his performance a “puppet show”.

How remarkable is it that a national coach goes out of his record for the women at a press conference? And above all: what is his intention with this? “The fact that I have to think very deeply about this question, says enough,” said NOS analyst Leonne Stentler.

“The fact that journalists from Wales were chattering with their ears may indicate that it is somewhat unusual,” adds fellow NOS analyst and professional football player Tessel Middag. “It sometimes happens in the dressing room, but not often in public.”

“He is trying to create an enemy, the press,” thinks Vierlike International and analyst Danny Koevermans. “Coaches are always looking for something to motivate their team.”

Trainers Louis van Gaal, with whom Jonker was several times an assistant, and José Mourinho often used this method in men’s football to create a common enemy. This reinforces the sense of togetherness within a team and at the same time keeps players out of the wind because the attention is drawn to the coach.

Koevermans: “He has now done it that way, also by falling on this journalist. With the podcast of the NOS he tried to achieve something. If there is a won tomorrow, well all the tricks will have succeeded. That will not happen, he will be fired again.”

In January the KNVB announced after the European Championship said goodbye to Jonker. He said he was totally surprised by that. The union did not explain the decision. Jonker also kept his mouth shut. See you yesterday.

Is it tactics to put his feelings on the table right now? Jonker suggested that he had a intention with it. What exactly, he didn’t want to tell that at the press conference. He would first share that with his players tonight.

“Crucial in this phase is unusual solidarity. I use tricks for that. Sometimes you keep your mouth shut, sometimes you tell a lot. The most important thing is that we are one. We have to get together. We have to get through that wall with such a all. That’s what it’s all about and nothing else.”

Later he added: “What matters now is that I also hit the last fiber with those girls.”

Regardless of his intentions, how smart is it to air your heart for the whole of the Netherlands two days in advance? Sherida Spitse, who had also joined the press conference, said, “If I was a national coach … I might not have done it.”

Stentler understands that Spitse says this, but calls it a good story. “Actually it was a very enthusiastic argument, which we hear for the first time. It is very logical that if you are limited in your authority, you think: do I still want this?”

In the afternoon it is particularly a shame for himself that this releases so many questions. “These are unique final tournaments. Women’s football is growing exponentially; isn’t it great to be a coach of one of the better countries in Europe?”

The question is how close the team is and whether it survives this storm together. Jonker said that he brought an orange shirt two weeks ago. “I said to all staff members: whether you are going to accelerate or you say that you cannot afford it. There are 25 signatures on the back. And then the players. They all signed the front.”

Stentler calls that a smart move. “Suppose the players are no longer behind you, then you wouldn’t want it anymore? On the other hand, as if there were one player or staff member who would not draw.”

Afternoon adds: “It is not unusual that a national coach takes something to the team that can provide extra motivation. For him that could have been the shirt.”

“It can go two ways,” says Stentler. “In the most favorable case, the players themselves become a collective and think: we are at the European Championship, we will just do it. But the opposite can also be that it is not a collective because of the hassle with Jonker.”