At FC Volendam, seven players have been told that their expiring contracts will not be extended. Kevin Visser has now been playing in the fishing village for six years, which makes a forced departure raw. “I have stated very honestly that I do not agree with it,” says a disappointed Visser.
Kevin Visser has also received a letter of resignation – NH Sport / Stephan Brandhorst
The years are now starting to count for Visser. The former captain of the team is now 33 and will soon become a father. Given his experience – also at ADO Den Haag in the Eredivisie – Visser had hoped to still be of value. “I am the type who also makes other players better”, says the midfielder, who has recently been fully deployable again after a long cruciate ligament injury.
Despite the letter of resignation, Visser did not give up. In conversation with technical director Jasper van Leeuwen, he said that he disagrees with the decision. “I know what is being asked. And in the Eredivisie I can also be of added value for ten minutes or fifteen minutes,” says Visser.
Deul understanding
Where the resignation letter came as a surprise to Visser, Boy Deul had already taken this into account remarkably enough. The 34-year-old midfielder already felt the mood. “You know it will come. I spoke with the club and they were open and honest with me,” says Deul, who has experienced the reconstruction of the club in recent years. Still, the man who experienced FC Volendam’s last championship in 2008 understands the decision.
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Boy Deul already felt the mood – NH Sport / Stephan Brandhorst
It was a difficult decision for technical director Jasper van Leeuwen to say goodbye to the veterans. He is currently balancing at a ‘crossroads’ between the first division and the premier division. When promoted, Van Leeuwen has a higher budget and is expected to organize a different selection. The experience of Deul and Visser then seems of value in the Eredivisie, but the td thinks that otherwise about.
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“Experience is one of the elements” – NH Sport / Stephan Brandhorst
Van Leeuwen looks positively at the selection and wants to set up a team worthy of the Eredivisie. According to him, the sore point is at the number six position. With the imminent departure of Visser, Deul and also Alex Plat and Samir Ben Sallam, there is a gap. It is also being examined whether Filip Stankovic and Gaetano Oristanio can be rented from Internazionale for an extra year. “We are talking about that,” says Van Leeuwen.
Contract extension Jonk
Wim Jonk has also received a so-called resignation letter from the club. “A special one,” says Van Leeuwen. Although Van Leeuwen is in charge of all contracts of the players and staff, he does not have Jonk’s in his portfolio. “We are too close for that and we think the head coach is just as important as that of technical director.” As a result, the board makes the decision to continue for longer if necessary.
Three weeks ago, commercial director Jan Smit told BNR that Jonk’s contract extension is ‘a matter of time’. There has been no white smoke for quite some time now. According to Jonk, the talks are still ongoing.
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