NOS Football•
Afellay as assistant to PSV: ‘I would not have thought that a few weeks ago’
More than three weeks ago, Ibrahim Afellay obtained the second highest coaching diploma: UEFA A. But purely under the motto ‘it’s better to have it than not to have it’, he left the NOS program Studio Football know. Because, no, the football analyst had absolutely no ambition to do anything with it.
“Yes, that’s right,” he confirms. “At that moment I was really into it. I didn’t expect it to gain such momentum. I was having a great time, but if such an offer comes along, then that is of course great.”
After all, it was PSV that contacted the 39-year-old former international. A vacancy had arisen in the first team in Eindhoven, because André Ooijer had decided to stop as assistant coach. And Afellay, who grew up and grew up at PSV, had just received the necessary papers.
Entertaining audiences
“A conversation was then planned and I got a certain feeling about it,” says Utrecht, who played more than two hundred matches in the PSV shirt. “Then it comes to life a bit. And then you have to make a decision in the short term.”
There were plenty of reasons to act immediately. “PSV is of course my club. And of course Peter Bosz, a trainer with a certain vision with which I can identify. Entertaining the audience, making players better. And he also links that to results. He is a trainer that makes you want to buy a ticket to go to the stadium.”
“I’m not a planner, but if you get the opportunity to look into his kitchen, you have to grab it with both hands. I just want to learn. And if that is possible with one of the best Dutch coaches, you would be crazy not to do so.”
Expiring contract Bosz
And vice versa: how did PSV come up with Afellay’s idea? Still, perhaps thanks to his performances in Studio Football? “Haha. I think that is a program that many football experts and football fans watch. But of course they also know within PSV what I am as a person.”
The question arises as to how long the student can learn a thing or two from Master Bosz. After all, his contract with the national champions expires in the summer. And in addition: perhaps the position of national coach of the Dutch national team will become available. It is therefore not inconceivable that the bird will have flown within six months.
“That is a concern for later,” said Afellay, who only has an eye for the short term. “Bosz will still be at PSV for at least six months. If I can work with him during that period alone, then that is of course great. And if I have learned one thing in life, and especially in football, it is that you cannot plan anything.”
