Toon Gerbrands is officially no longer employed by PSV. A day after his departure, the general manager looks back one more time on his period with the people of Eindhoven. A period in which he was not able to achieve all the goals in sport, but made the club healthy financially. Eight eventful years that were also emotional for him and his family.
Eight years, three national titles, one cup and only red numbers once. A selection of facts from the period of Toon Gerbrands at PSV. If the general manager has to sum it up in one word, he comes with ‘proud.’ But one thing is missing from the list.
“Sportingly I failed. I was given the target by the Supervisory Board to become champion once every two years. We didn’t make it. Then there are no excuses and you have to conclude that you have failed. That hurts,” says Gerbrands, who was appointed honorary citizen of the city of Eindhoven on Wednesday.
“My children sometimes had the wrong last name and had to defend themselves on my behalf”
The former director views it very black and white, but indicates that it works that way in top sport. Then why the pride? “A lot of things have gone well in those eight years. Financially we are healthy. We have taken steps on a commercial level. And look where we are now”, says Gerbrands while looking at The Academy. “This was not there a few years ago. So there are plenty of things I can be proud of.”
After things went very well under Gerbrands sportingly in the early years, there was also a period in which there was a lot of criticism of the general manager. “That’s part of it,” he says soberly, but at a certain point a limit was reached.
“I accept banners and chants. If you can’t stand that, you shouldn’t work in this world. But it took too long then (2019-2020 season). Then I had to intervene. I will then be able to keep calm and protect my colleagues, because a lot was also said to John de Jong at the time.”
The criticism has also affected his family. “My children sometimes had the wrong last name and had to defend themselves on my behalf. But the price of success has two sides. They have also come to places where hardly anyone goes.”
“Inside I’m very emotional”
Emotions sometimes ran high among the supporters, but you didn’t see that quickly with Toon Gerbrands. “That doesn’t mean I don’t have them,” the director quickly says when asked. “Inside I am very emotional. I have to stick to my position. When we win the KNVB Cup, one look will be enough for me and John de Jong.”
The general manager does not say goodbye completely. Gerbrands has now bought two season tickets for the coming season. Will he react emotionally? “I have yet to find out. I’ll probably get up and clap. But not much more. My wife is much more fanatical. He cheers and comments. Fortunately, you never pictured that.”