Ruud Gullit praised the tactical transformation and renewed energy at Feyenoord under manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, highlighting a stark shift in playing style following a strong performance against AZ, FR12.nl reported.
Energy Restored in De Kuip
Feyenoord has abandoned the sluggish second-half dips that plagued the early stages of the season, according to Gullit. Speaking on the television program Rondo, the former Dutch international noted that the club’s home ground has rediscovered its trademark intensity. Full-pressure defending and constant vertical urgency now define the team’s approach.
Fellow analyst Guus Hiddink pointed directly to Van Bronckhorst’s managerial background for the shift. Hiddink noted that the Feyenoord coach absorbed English football’s demanding standards—where matches maintain relentless pressure until the final whistle—and successfully transferred those physical requirements to the Eredivisie.
Ferri Finding His Feet
Central to Feyenoord’s attacking progression is striker Nacho Ferri. Gullit expressed admiration for the forward’s recent performances, emphasizing his surprising pace and ability to hold up the ball under pressure. After a necessary adjustment period following his arrival in Rotterdam, Ferri is finally breaking out and demonstrating the clinical finishing that earned praise after the AZ fixture.
Ruud Gullit (Football legend): "I'll say something to Frenkie de Jong. I started at Feyenoord as a right-winger. Then Johan Cruyff said to me: 'Ruud, you have to improve your teammates'… I never understood him. But you know why he told me that? Because when you improve your… pic.twitter.com/9iDDzdcLxz”
“The nice thing about Ferri is that he is faster than you think,” Gullit remarked during the broadcast. “It seems nice to play up front with him. He finishes his goal really well. He is a striker you can play football with, he has speed and can hold onto a ball. Now he is coming into his own after needing a little time to adapt.”
Connecting With Het Legioen
The synergy between the squad and Feyenoord’s vocal supporters—known as Het Legioen—has fundamentally altered the dynamic inside De Kuip. Gullit observed that players actively seek to ignite the stadium crowd, creating a mutual feedback loop that leaves supporters on the edge of their seats.
That high-pressing approach visibly rattled AZ during their recent encounter. Rather than settling into their usual possession-heavy rhythm, AZ found themselves suffocated by Feyenoord’s territorial dominance and created minimal openings throughout the match.
A Jab at Ajax
True to his character, Gullit could not resist a lighthearted dig at rival club AFC Ajax during the discussion. Admitting he had not yet texted his friends in Amsterdam to declare their title chances over, Gullit revealed he sent a digital sticker of a dancing cockroach to a group chat instead.
Keep reading
