PSV has to look for a completely new coaching staff for next season. This became clear during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. After coach Ruud van Nistelrooij left immediately in the morning, assistant Fred Rutten will leave after this season. It was already known that the other assistant André Ooijer would stop.
PSV directors Marcel Brands and Ernest Stewart spoke extensively to the press on Wednesday afternoon. They say they are completely surprised by Van Nistelrooij’s departure. “It’s very annoying and we’re still very surprised,” said Stewart. “Especially after last night’s conversation and how we broke up.”
On Tuesday evening, the head coach, general manager Brands and technical director Stewart were still sitting around the table. That conversation was about dissatisfaction and concerns within the group of players. “The group was concerned that both assistants would stop,” says Brands.
Focus on A-Z
The surprise for Brands and Stewart was all the greater, because they already spoke with Van Nistelrooij about the coaching staff for next season. “On Tuesday evening, the three of us decided to address the group of players. It was agreed to keep the focus on Sunday and then to discuss and solve the problems for next season.”
PSV will play against AZ on Sunday for second place in the Eredivisie. This entitles you to the preliminary round of the Champions League. It’s a crucial game. If the people of Eindhoven manage to reach the group stage after two preliminary rounds, the club will add at least 35 million euros.
Bumps
According to general manager Brands, there was never a moment when Van Nistelrooij had to leave PSV. “If you work with an inexperienced trainer, it is logical that you will have to deal with bumps. We talked about that during the winter break. But we look at the long term and you don’t build success in a year. That is always our starting point.”
Yet it has also been restless lately. Discussions were held about the coaching staff and the players’ group. Brands: “Signals have come from the group of players, but we have referred them back to the trainer. There has also been a conversation between the players and Van Nistelrooij, even before the cup final won.”
95 percent agree
So there were concerns among the players about the departure of assistants Ooijer and Rutten. But what exactly happened next remains unclear. “In our eyes, solutions were really possible. We really tried to give him confidence and get his staff in order. No one here has been working to continue without Ruud,” says Brands. “We agreed 95 percent on the plans for next season.”
According to Ernest Stewart, Van Nistelrooij was ‘determined’ in his decision to leave. “It was a short announcement this morning and I asked if this was the right choice.” The technical director says that the club icon also looked defeated at the same time. “That makes sense, because this is not what we wanted.”
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