Rotterdam – Feyenoord is banking on the experience of Dick Advocaat to shore up its defense and provide a tactical boost as the club navigates a crucial stretch of the Eredivisie season. The 78-year-old, a familiar figure in Dutch football, has returned to De Kuip in an advisory role to support head coach Robin van Persie, particularly ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes Klassieker against rivals Ajax.
The appointment, confirmed earlier this week by Feyenoord director Dennis te Kloese, wasn’t a surprise, according to those close to the club. The timing, coinciding with the build-up to the match against Ajax, is no coincidence. Advocaat will be at the club’s training facility, 1908, twice a week to offer his expertise.
Cor Pot, a longtime assistant to Advocaat, emphasized the veteran coach’s ability to organize a team defensively. “Dick is a master at putting players in the right positions. He is an authority in the field of tactics,” Pot told NOS. “The focus will be on the organization within the team. You can’t do much more than that. It’s a flawed squad with many injuries. But Dick will first set up the team, which will make them play more compactly.”
This isn’t simply a panic move. Feyenoord currently sits second in the Eredivisie table, but recent form has been inconsistent. The arrival of Advocaat is viewed by the club as an investment in Van Persie, a relatively inexperienced head coach, rather than a sign of dissatisfaction with his performance. The financial rewards of Champions League qualification – guaranteed millions – add further weight to the decision.
Pot believes Advocaat’s impact will be felt immediately. “Robin needs to believe in it. Dick needs to believe in it. And if they do it together, they can make a pretty fine finish to the season,” he said. However, he cautioned that even with Advocaat’s guidance, a victory over Ajax is not guaranteed.
The focus on defensive structure is particularly pertinent. Recent performances have exposed vulnerabilities in Feyenoord’s backline, as evidenced by issues against Excelsior. Advocaat’s expertise in building a compact and organized defense is expected to address these concerns, making it more difficult for Ajax to penetrate the Feyenoord defense.
This isn’t the first time Advocaat has served in an advisory capacity at Feyenoord. He previously worked with Giovanni van Bronckhorst, contributing to a KNVB Beker (Dutch Cup) triumph and, crucially, the Eredivisie title a year later. The key message from Advocaat to Van Bronckhorst during that period was one of encouragement: “You’re already doing well. Believe in your own qualities.”
Bas van Noortwijk, a former team manager who witnessed Advocaat’s advisory role with Van Bronckhorst firsthand, echoed this sentiment. “Dick didn’t come in as a schoolmaster who was going to explain everything,” Van Noortwijk explained. “He mainly provided confirmation for Gio’s staff. We were stuck as a group, and Dick loosened things up.”
The dynamic between Advocaat and Van Persie is as well noteworthy. The two have a pre-existing relationship, having worked together in 2020 when Van Persie was part of Advocaat’s technical staff in Rotterdam. This familiarity is expected to facilitate a smooth and productive working relationship.
Pot acknowledged that Van Persie, as a young coach, is still learning. “As a starting coach, you just spot some teething problems with Van Persie. That’s how We see,” he said. “Dick had that too, I did too, we all did. At a top club, that is immediately exposed and then you are tackled.”
The hope is that Advocaat’s presence will provide a calming influence and tactical clarity, allowing Van Persie to focus on motivating the players and implementing the overall game plan. The immediate priority is, of course, Sunday’s Klassieker, a match with significant implications for the race for second place in the Eredivisie and Champions League qualification.
Feyenoord fans will be hoping that Advocaat’s return can spark a resurgence in form and propel the club to a successful end to the season. The focus on a more compact defensive structure, as highlighted by Pot, is a clear indication of the tactical adjustments that are expected in the coming weeks. The veteran coach’s ability to instill confidence and provide a fresh perspective could prove invaluable as Feyenoord aims to secure a top-two finish.
Following the Klassieker, Feyenoord’s schedule includes matches against [future opponents not specified in source]. The club will undoubtedly be looking to build on any positive momentum generated by Advocaat’s influence as they navigate the remaining fixtures of the Eredivisie campaign.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of Feyenoord and the Eredivisie season. We’ll have live updates from Sunday’s Klassieker and in-depth analysis of Advocaat’s impact on the team.
