He did not make it as a footballer at PSV, but Jan Vogels (41) is still working in the national top years later. As coach of FC Eindhoven Futsal, he won the national title on Sunday by beating Hovocubo. “We had something to make up for after our defeat in the final last year. This season has really been successful with the cup and now the championship.”
Jan’s love for football started at a young age. On the field he was a talent at RKVV Tongelre and two years later PSV knocked on the door. He did not make it to the first team, after which Jan continued as a striker with the amateurs. In addition, the born and raised Eindhoven resident started playing futsal at EFC/Cibatax, the predecessor of FC Eindhoven Futsal.
When Jan was 28 years old, he stopped playing field football and futsal, the international name for indoor football, due to injuries. He rolled into the coaching profession and started as a youth coach at FC Eindhoven. “Not crazy really, because in the field and in the hall, as captain, I was always busy with tactics and helping the team.”
Jan built up his trainer career step by step. Since 2017 he has been head coach of FC Eindhoven Futsal and active in the youth academy. “At first I was at the club for many hours, but I also had a busy job. When my mother passed away, I started thinking about my own life. I followed my heart and, thanks to FC Eindhoven, became a full-time football player. football is my life, what could be better than making your passion your job?”
“The hall helps football players in their development.”
He calls his work in the training unique, since FC Eindhoven has merged field and futsal. “All teams play on both surfaces. The hall helps them in their development. For example, you get to the ball much more often, you have to make decisions quickly and it is good for your technique, tactics and physique.”
“The national coachship seems like a nice job to me.”
Jan still has a one-year contract with the national champion. The club icon does not hope that the top of the Eredivisie is his final destination. “I am a real boy of the club and very loyal. Since 2017, I have always expressed the ambition to work in the hall at a foreign professional club in the future. Being a national coach also seems like a great job to me. But planning in football is very difficult. I am fully focused on my club, which still has great challenges.”
