Alfred Schreuder has ‘zero interest’ in VfB Stuttgart and returns to tirade: ‘I should have prepared’ | Eredivisie

By Johan Inan

In the same place in the press room, Schreuder was calm again yesterday. While the steam had come out of his ears five days earlier, the Ajax coach elaborated on what made him decide to shoot the press, after a 7-1 victory over Excelsior. “It was about whether or not I’m in charge. I was done with that. I wanted to have my say. That was the most important thing to me. That the team goes above all else. And if you feel that the press is violating your integrity, it’s important to intervene.”

The cooled Schreuder drew fiercely on Sunday about the reserve role of expensive purchase Brian Brobbey, the transformation of his significantly changed team that in his eyes can never be completed in three months and the alleged influence of his agent on the purchase policy. Never before has the Dutch press seen the trainer so passionately behind a microphone. ,,The people who know me well know that this is also in me. I like to give people responsibility. I look and observe a lot in it, but it is up to me to indicate this far and no further.”

Schreuder did not do that spontaneously, he acknowledged. ,,I had prepared for myself that I wanted to say this. Once and I discussed that with one person beforehand. Who that is, I keep to myself. But it was my idea,” said the coach, who, in his own words, found it less relevant whether his tirade had the right effect. “I didn’t read anything after that and I didn’t get everything. It’s also about how I feel. And I felt I had to get this out. That was the most important to me.”

Schreuder’s tantrum followed after a torrent of criticism in Ajax’s sporting crisis. While he could use some cover when the outsiders already doubted whether he was the man with the national champion, it remained silent from the club management. Until general manager Edwin van der Sar announced this week that Schreuder, like his predecessors, needs time because of the many mutations in the selection and will receive them for the time being.

,,It’s great that Edwin said that’, said Schreuder. “I agree that it could have been done sooner. I have also indicated that.” That is not new. Van der Sar often shined outwardly (long) through absence when the club was on fire, for example when player Quincy Promes was arrested and cross-border director Marc Overmars resigned. ,,I do know that Edwin supports me. He also makes that clear internally. It was also about having my say for journalists.”

Schreuder hinted that he did not find his situation comparable to that of predecessors Peter Bosz and Erik ten Hag. The latter saw outstanding players leave in phases, while the Barnevelder had to replace half a basic team in one summer. He concluded his fiery speech on Sunday with: ,,If I don’t get the time, I don’t care. Then they should just fire me.” The same Schreuder referred the alleged interest of the German Stuttgart to the realm of fables: ,,I am currently the trainer of a fantastic club.”

Will Ajax also play football this weekend? Sure, tonight against RKC. In the general for the squatter against Liverpool on Wednesday, Schreuder cannot yet have Devyne Rensch and Kenneth Taylor.