Criticized Nigel de Jong's position at KNVB discussed: 'He is steadfast'

In the Sportnieuws.nl World Cup Football Podcast, Robert Maaskant, Ralf Seuntjens, and reporter Aron Kattenpoel Oude Heerink delve into the future of the KNVB's top brass. "They will, of course, first internally evaluate this World Cup, during which Nigel de Jong's position will also be discussed," Seuntjens anticipates. "Undoubtedly, his role in the situation with Koeman will be scrutinized, as will his actions concerning Andries Jonker. That, of course, led to a rather chaotic situation at the Women's European Championship."

While criticism of De Jong grows louder, Robert Maaskant sees a director who is developing rapidly. The former coach and technical director is impressed by how the ex-international is profiling himself within the KNVB. According to Maaskant, the perception of De Jong from the outside is completely misjudged. "I had my doubts too, but I've spoken to him several times now. He has exceeded my expectations a thousandfold."

According to the former director and ex-coach of various Eredivisie clubs, this is primarily due to the former international's way of thinking. "He no longer thinks like a footballer, but truly like an executive. I rate him very highly, which is why I believe he is the right man for the KNVB. When you work for a large organization, where everyone has an opinion, you can be swayed by every wind, but he is steadfast and dares to make decisions."

The situation surrounding Andries Jonker with the Oranje Lionesses is again cited as an example of a dossier where De Jong came under fire. Yet, Maaskant sees a learning process in it. "He doesn't have much experience yet, but he has learned from such situations. I particularly appreciate that we finally have someone who was an absolute top footballer and is still developing. Soon you'll have another professor as director, and I'm not waiting for that," Maaskant responds fiercely.

The way De Jong has handled the current situation with the national team is indicative for Maaskant. "You extend a contract based on facts and how people work. Not based on one or two lost matches or a missed penalty by Timber, Summerville, or Kluivert. He has handled that well with Koeman now too."

For now, De Jong faces a significant challenge: finding a successor for Koeman. According to Seuntjens, this shouldn't be a problem. "The Nations League is already in September, but that's a good timeframe. If you use the entire month of July to conduct a thorough analysis and evaluation, you could have a suitable national coach by mid-August," Seuntjens concludes.

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