FOOTBALL – FC Emmen announced today that it will not extend the contracts of three players. Especially the name of Mike te Wierik stood out. The captain turned out to be a public favorite and captain in 2.5 years, but now has to look for another club. “I knew there was a chance that I wouldn’t stay.”
Finally, that ‘pussy art grass’ – as in Wierik liked the plastic mat of FC Emmen – would like to leave – leaves the biggest opponent of that mat. “I am not the only one who finds it a terrible field,” laughs the protagonist himself.
On Thursday in Wierik was told in a conversation with FC Emmen that there is no longer employment. When the defender came from FC Groningen to Emmen in January 2023, the club still played in the Eredivisie. That is why in Wierik had an Eredivisie contract from the outset.
In 2025, FC Emmen cannot offer him the same contract. “I knew that. I knew that I had to hand in, but not how much. Yesterday I was told that the club is not doing me, because that would be a disrespectful offer.”
In Wierik himself was unable to judge that term, because an offer did not come. “What I think of that? Well … they could have offered me a contract, but I have respected this decision.”
Te Wierik indicates that it has been ‘blank’ in a possible extension. “It was very open to me. I waited quietly,” he says. “I had not yet set myself up for the next season at FC Emmen, but I wasn’t working on a farewell either.”
That farewell is coming now. And so in Wierik looks back at 2.5 years in Southeast Drenthe. “I came when we played Eredivisie. Under Dick (Lukkien, ed.) I got pleasure again, I really lost that at FC Groningen in the last few weeks.”
“Emmen is a family club,” continues the 32-year-old Tukker. “I have always felt supported by the supporters and the club. It is just a smell that we have not achieved the play-offs this year. That is a shame. But in general I felt very appreciated and had a good period here. I didn’t have a bad word about Emmen.”
Te Wierik, who gains experience in the trainer’s profession at his youth club WVV’34, feels fit enough to keep playing football for a few more years. “I can keep my level, so I certainly want to go through for a few years. There has also been contact with a number of clubs.”
As far as he is concerned, that is not necessarily at a club that is around the corner. “Whether that is in the Netherlands or abroad, I don’t know. It’s about what is good for my children and my girlfriend. The children don’t have to go to school, so I leave in the middle where I go.”