Nigel de Jong has been appointed by the KNVB as director of top football. The former international obtained his papers last spring. De Jong starts his new job this month and is therefore the successor to Nico-Jan Hoogma.
The former Ajax player is only 38 years old, but thinks he already has enough experience to fill this position. “Working in top football requires specific knowledge and experience. I have gained this in my years as a player at various clubs at home and abroad and I can now use it.”
The Amsterdammer went through Ajax’s youth academy and eventually came to play in the first team. De Jong wore Ajax’s shirt 133 times. In the winter of 2006 he left the Netherlands for the German Hamburger SV. “It has been seventeen years since I left the Netherlands, but of course I have always followed Dutch football. And I have always felt part of it.”
Later in his career he played for Manchester City, AC Milan, LA Galaxy, Galatasaray and 81 matches for the Dutch national team. In the summer of 2021, De Jong ended his career at the Qatari Al-Shahania SC. This spring he will complete the UEFA MBA management training, which will allow him to start in this position.