The new owners of NAC are busy shaping the Breda football club. They asked for advice from Stan Valckx and Toon Gerbrands. Until recently, Valckx was football manager at VVV Venlo and Gerbrands recently retired as general manager at PSV. “None of the current shareholders come from the football world, so you get that expertise elsewhere,” the statement said.
Because the KNVB still has to give official permission for the transfer, the new owners of NAC do not officially own the shares of the football club yet. But behind the scenes, a lot of work is already being done to professionalize the organization.
“The conversation with Valckx was non-binding and purely for the exchange of ideas.”
Sebastian Verkuilen, as a brand new shareholder of NAC, therefore spoke on Monday with Stan Valckx, former football manager of PSV, Wisla Krakow and VVV Venlo. Verkuilen swears that it was not a job interview for the position of technical manager, but an HR specialist was present.
“It was a non-binding conversation where it was purely about exchanging ideas,” says Verkuilen about his meeting with Valckx. We have not discussed a position as technical manager, because we are not yet at that stage with NAC. Stan has made his mark in the football world and we wanted to hear his vision. You would bring in a name with him, but that’s not the most important right now.”
“It would be great if Toon Gerbrands would coach our new general manager.”
The new owners of NAC are busy orientating themselves. For example, a few scouts already spoke informally with Toon Gerbrands, departing director of PSV. “Toon was my personal coach when I was still in business,” explains Sebastian Verkuilen of the connection.
“Of course I talk to him about football and about the organization of NAC. I would be mad if I didn’t, because he is one of the best in this field in the Netherlands. But let me be clear: Toon Gerbrands had, has and will not have an official role at NAC.”
Nevertheless, Verkuilen hopes that Gerbrands can mean something for NAC in a different way. “With his experience, it would be great if he coached NAC’s new CEO,” he said.
“I’ve also talked to people at Arsenal, Hadjuk Split and Real Sociedad.”
Sebastian Verkuilen, an ardent NAC supporter for many years and now also a shareholder, is quite transparent about the help they request from NAC to push the club to great heights again. A process for which they take their time.
“I ask for a lot of advice,” he says. “I have also spoken with people at Arsenal, Hadjuk Split and Real Sociedad. None of the current shareholders come from the football world, so you get that expertise elsewhere.”
And that also applies to the HR specialist, a former employee of ABN-AMRO, who is involved in the reforms. He must ensure that a well-oiled team will also operate outside the field in Breda. Careful steps are taken in the change process.
“We hope to receive the green light from the KNVB for the share transfer in four weeks,” Verkuilen concludes. “In parallel, we also want to present the foundation board. The candidates for this will be approached in the coming days. They will appoint a Supervisory Board and then NAC has only arrived at the appointment of the general and technical management.”
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