Out of necessity, but ‘ready’, new coach Dingsdag has to ‘put out fires’ at FC Volendam

His clear voice with a light Amsterdam accent echoes over the main field of FC Volendam. Still a bit awkward, but Michael Dingsdag clearly asserts himself during the last training session leading up to the away match against Feyenoord. “We have to put out all the small fires and that we all jump on the bandwagon again,” says Dingsdag, somewhat mysteriously. The new coach does not want to say what his specific message was to the team. “I will answer that tomorrow after the match.”

Two plans

“There were two plans,” Dingsdag looks back on recent days. “Plan A was for Matthias Kohler to continue and plan B was whether I would be ready to take over.”

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After a very hectic week, Dingsdag can fulfill the difficult task of taking points in the two away games (Feyenoord and SC Heerenveen) and ensuring that there is some peace in the fishing village.

Double job

For Dingsdag it is his first job as ultimately responsible at the highest level. This summer, the Amsterdam native made the move from Telstar to FC Volendam. In Velsen-Zuid he assisted head coach Mike Snoei together with Anthony Correia. And this season he would take care of Volendam’s promises together with Regillio Simons. The two continue to do so and the duo also leads the current number seventeen of the Premier League. “This is extra, we will do the honors in the next two matches.”

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Dispensation

At the moment, Dingsdag does not yet have the correct coaching credentials and this means that he cannot be ultimately responsible for FC Volendam for too long. “I can be a dispensation trainer for the group for five matches.” His assistant Simons has obtained the highest diploma.

In Rotterdam, Feyenoord – FC Volendam starts at 9 p.m. NH Sport reports during the match via its website and social channels. Afterwards we speak with the main characters from Volendam.