Fortuna Sittard trainer Danny Buijs has hit back at media criticism following his controversial sideline altercation with loanee Shiloh ’t Zand, singling out broadcaster Valentijn Driessen for attempting to emulate pundit Johan Derksen during a media appearance.
The Sideline Confrontation in Nijmegen
The friction originated on Sunday during Fortuna Sittard’s 2-2 Eredivisie draw away against NEC at the Goffertstadion, as reported by Voetbalzone. In the 80th minute, with the score standing at 1-2, Buijs substituted 23-jarige attacker Shiloh ’t Zand for Siebe Wylin. The Feyenoord loanee reacted with visible irritation, moving slowly toward the touchline and exchanging words with an NEC opponent. Amid shouting from the stands, Buijs physically intervened by grabbing the young midfielder near the neck and pulling him toward the technical area. Live broadcast audio captured the coach shouting, Kom, lopen. Kom hier. Ga zitten en doe normaal!
(Come on, walk. Come here. Sit down and act normal!
) Buijs then seated ’t Zand next to teammate Sven Simons on the bench. Simons attempted to calm the visibly agitated Surinian international, but ’t Zand threw off his warmup jersey and departed down the tunnel to the dressing room, missing the final moments where Fortuna conceded a late equalizer.
Buijs Rebukes Pundit for Criticizing His Physical Reaction
Earlier in the week, the incident drew sharp condemnation from media figures, notably during De Telegraaf’s Kick-off podcast. Journalist Valentijn Driessen expressed clear disapproval of the manager’s physical reaction on the touchline, stating that trainers should not lay hands on their players. Before Fortuna Sittard’s subsequent fixture against Excelsior, reporters presented those podcast remarks to Buijs. Dismissing the commentary, Buijs offered a sharp rebuke of the pundit’s media persona. Nowadays you have people who have an opinion about everything,
Buijs said, as detailed by fcupdate.nl. I received something forwarded about Valentijn Driessen. Valentijn Driessen has an opinion about everyone these days. From Louis van Gaal to Virgil van Dijk. He wants to look a bit like Johan Derksen, but he isn’t him. There is one Johan Derksen and that is not him. He is just a reporter at De Telegraaf, but apparently everyone in this day and age thinks he has to have an opinion about something. I don’t care that much about it.
Player Reconciliation Prior to Excelsior Clash
Any internal discord within the Fortuna Sittard squad was short-lived, according to subsequent statements from both the player and the coach. Speaking to ESPN ahead of their next fixture, Shiloh ’t Zand confirmed that he and his manager had cleared the air regarding the Nijmegen incident, as reported by Voetbalprimeur. The trainer and I have a good bond. We have spoken about it together, so it’s all good again,
’t Zand noted, adding that public attention on social media had magnified the episode unnecessarily. Buijs echoed that sentiment, stating that the matter required no further discussion within the team. I have not actually discussed it with him anymore,
Buijs noted. Everyone is allowed to think something of it, but I think the most important thing is what Shiloh and I think of it and how we deal with each other, that bond is good. I will go through fire for him and he for me, I know that.
Tactical Shifts Leading Into Feyenoord Meeting
The renewed harmony between the manager and the loanee immediately translated onto the pitch during Fortuna Sittard’s narrow 1-0 victory over Excelsior, a result that keeps the Limburg club firmly positioned in the subtop of the Eredivisie standings. Due to roster constraints and personnel shortages, ’t Zand featured in an unfamiliar central striker role. Reflecting on the tactical adjustment via Voetbalprimeur, the forward acknowledged receiving the assignment on matchday morning without prior training repetition, noting that he hopes to return to his usual creative position for the upcoming fixture against league leaders Feyenoord—the parent club holding his contract.
