Stijn Stijnen Defends Coaching Style and Rejects Aggression Label

Former Patro Eisden manager Stijn Stijnen faced questions regarding a career-long reputation for touchline outbursts and suspensions during a detailed interview published by De Morgen.

Stijnen addressed whether he deals with an aggression problem during the conversation with the publication. He argued that the perception surrounding his touchline demeanor is overly nuanced and defended his approach to management. “For me, a match is about life and death. My world falls apart if I don’t win,” Stijnen told De Morgen.

He insisted that a clear boundary exists between passion and hostility. “Ask my players if I’m a nervous wreck and they won’t know: before and after the match they didn’t see me. I created an oasis of calm for them. But as soon as the match started, I played along. Then I became one ball of passion and drama,” he explained.

When confronted with descriptions of his behavior as pure aggression, Stijnen drew a distinct line regarding physical actions. “Aggression implies physical aggression to me. I express my emotions, sometimes loud, but not aggressive,” Stijnen told De Morgen. He noted a single instance where he broke a plastic beach chair in Berchem, for which he subsequently deposited 150 euros into the club’s youth account. “But touching someone? Never,” he said.

The conversation also touched upon his history with the Belgian football federation, where he once faced a proposal to take an anger management course. “That didn’t take place, they suspended me then,” Stijnen told De Morgen. He acknowledged holding a notable list of incidents and suspensions over the years, though he suggested public perception took on a life of its own.

“I have also often been acquitted! Quite a few matters were 100 percent correct, no discussion. But I have also often been wrongly punished,” Stijnen said, adding that referees received specific briefings about him to create prior prejudices.

While he previously suggested a conspiracy existed against him, Stijnen offered a different perspective during the interview. “Of course there was no conspiracy. And I admit that my coaching style may have provoked me being targeted. But between those two extremes, it is all nuanced,” Stijnen told De Morgen.

He referenced an incident where a match delegate allegedly filed a false statement against him, which the official later admitted and apologized for. Stijnen said that he respected that admission and considers the matter closed. He also acknowledged his own missteps, stating he has discussed his mistakes with the prosecutor for the federation.