Feyenoord Icon Willem van Hanegem Blasts ‘Lack of Football’ After FC Twente Defeat
When a club legend speaks, the city of Rotterdam listens. Willem van Hanegem, the man known as ‘De Kromme’ for his trademark bent passes and uncompromising personality, has not held back in his assessment of Feyenoord’s current trajectory. Following a 2-0 loss to FC Twente, the former midfield maestro used his column in the Algemeen Dagblad to deliver a scathing critique of the team’s tactical identity and physical conditioning.
For Van Hanegem, the defeat in Enschede wasn’t merely a bad day at the office; it was a symptom of a deeper malaise. While the result was justified, he argues the victory belonged more to Feyenoord’s failures than to FC Twente’s brilliance. In a sport where momentum is everything, Van Hanegem suggests that Feyenoord is currently operating in a void of creativity.
The Twente Mirage
The match saw FC Twente secure a comfortable 2-0 win, a result that might have suggested a dominant performance from the home side. Yet, Van Hanegem views that narrative as a distortion. He explicitly stated that the idea of FC Twente playing exceptionally well is “heavily exaggerated.”
According to the club icon, the result was a direct consequence of the low level displayed by Feyenoord. This pattern of “overhyping” opponents—something he previously noted regarding NEC—seems to be a recurring theme in his recent analysis. To Van Hanegem, the danger isn’t the quality of the opposition, but the erosion of Feyenoord’s own standards.
The Raheem Sterling Dilemma
Central to Van Hanegem’s frustration is the management of Raheem Sterling. The English international’s integration into the squad has turn into a point of contention, specifically regarding his match fitness. Van Hanegem questioned the logic of forcing Sterling into every game simply to receive him fit, arguing that such a strategy compromises the team’s overall structure.
The critique extends to the coaching staff, specifically manager Van Persie. Van Hanegem claims that the tactical setup is being “puzzled” around Sterling, leading to suboptimal player placement. He pointed to a specific instance where the demand for a left-back was ignored to keep Bos as a left-forward, all to accommodate Sterling’s presence on the pitch.
The frustration is palpable: Van Hanegem believes the priority should be the collective success of Feyenoord—securing a second-place finish and the accompanying Champions League millions—rather than the individual fitness regime of a single player.
Tactical Breakdown and Individual Failures
Beyond the Sterling situation, Van Hanegem took aim at the defensive lapses and a general lack of technical cohesion. He highlighted the performance of Deijl, describing a defender who “runs so far backward” when facing an opponent that it creates a precarious defensive posture.
The most damning indictment, however, was the overarching lack of “football” in the squad. Despite the club’s standing in the Eredivisie, Van Hanegem sees a team devoid of the intelligence and technical playmaking that once defined the Rotterdam side. He noted that even among those closely tied to the club, expectations for the Twente match were low—and yet, the performance still managed to disappoint.
The Weight of ‘De Kromme’
To understand why these comments carry such weight, one must gaze at the legacy of Willem van Hanegem. A midfielder of immense technical ability and aggressiveness, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest Dutch footballers in history. His career spanned over two decades, including two separate stints at Feyenoord (1968–1976 and 1981–1983).
During his time with the club, Van Hanegem helped secure both the European Cup and the UEFA Cup. He was also a pivotal part of the Dutch national team that finished as runners-up in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. With 631 total senior appearances and 180 goals across his career, his perspective is rooted in a standard of excellence that he feels is currently missing from De Kuip.
His nickname, ‘De Kromme’ (The Crooked One), originally referred to his bow-legged posture, but it evolved to describe his unique, curving passes and his contrarian approach to football commentary. In this instance, the contrarian is sounding an alarm.
Looking Ahead: The NAC Test
Feyenoord now looks toward their next fixture against NAC. While the Eredivisie often provides a sense of hope, Van Hanegem remains skeptical. He noted that NAC possesses players who may be even less fit than Sterling, but the core issue remains the tactical void within his beloved club.
Key Takeaways from Van Hanegem’s Critique
- False Narratives: The 2-0 loss to FC Twente was due to Feyenoord’s poor level, not Twente’s dominance.
- Fitness Issues: Raheem Sterling’s lack of fitness is causing tactical imbalances in the squad.
- Managerial Critique: Van Persie is accused of over-adjusting the lineup to accommodate Sterling at the expense of defensive stability.
- Technical Decline: A perceived total absence of “football” and creativity in the current playing style.
- Defensive Concerns: Specific criticism of Deijl’s defensive positioning.
The upcoming match against NAC will serve as another litmus test for Van Persie’s side. Whether the manager can address the “lack of football” cited by Van Hanegem or if the club continues to slide toward the “depths” the legend fears remains the primary question for the Rotterdam faithful.
Next Checkpoint: Feyenoord faces NAC in the Eredivisie. Check back for our match recap and tactical analysis.
Do you agree with ‘De Kromme’? Is the reliance on Sterling hurting Feyenoord’s tactical flexibility? Let us recognize in the comments.
