Nijmegen’s amazing Rise: NEC Stuns the League and Eyes European Glory
In a season that’s defying all expectations, NEC Nijmegen is making waves, currently sitting pretty in third place after fourteen rounds of play. The club’s director, Wilco van Schaik, can barely contain his excitement, describing the team’s performance as “unreal.” Following a recent victory over Sparta, Van Schaik shared his elation in an interview on the podcast, the boardroom.
“Is it time to break out the victory songs? Well, after the matches, it certainly feels that way,” Van Schaik admitted with a grin. “I head upstairs to the boardroom, loosen the tie, and just revel in the happiness. I’ve definitely belted out a few tunes,” he confessed.
A “Not Normal” Season of Thrilling Football
Nijmegen has managed to leave traditional powerhouses like AZ, Ajax, and FC Twente in their rearview mirror, all while playing an incredibly attractive brand of football. Van Schaik noted the sentiment among fans: “We often look at each other in the stands and say, ‘We need to appreciate this.’ What we’re experiencing is truly remarkable. The matches have been so much fun, and that’s the style we’ve embraced.”
Despite the euphoria, Van Schaik remains grounded, emphasizing the need to focus on the long haul. “We have to wait until the end of the season to see the concrete results.For now, we’re truly taking it week by week. But it’s incredibly rewarding when you win like this and see so many young players shine.”
The team’s grip on third place was solidified when AZ faltered in Enschede. The day after their win against Sparta, Van Schaik’s phone “just exploded again.” He elaborated:
“Everyone’s sending me messages. People are unbelievably proud of what they’re witnessing here. Lifelong supporters are going wild. I love seeing that.”
Wilco van Schaik, NEC Director
“Of course, we don’t have any guarantees yet,” Van Schaik added realistically. “That’s clear. Afterwards, in the locker room, the talk was more about which Japanese restaurant they could go to if they won three games in a row! But in the meantime, our focus must shift back to upcoming matches against Telstar and volendam.We can’t afford to think those games are guaranteed wins.”
You can listen to the full episode featuring Wilco van Schaik on The Boardroom below.
photo Credit: Rob Koppers
