‘Listen, most games won’t see you starting. You’ll be coming off the bench. Right now, your focus should be on supporting the younger players.” It was my final season as a player at Málaga, and Manuel Pellegrini informed me that starting regularly was not in the cards. Initially, it was a tough pill to swallow. I identified as a player rather than a coach and had a strong desire to be on the pitch.
Eventually, however, I began to shift my perspective and pondered: ‘How can I assist these young talents?’ Off the field, I could offer guidance on fostering a lifestyle conducive to their growth as players. On the pitch, I could help enhance their skills, particularly since our club had many promising young forwards, like Salomón Rondón at 23, Isco at 22, Juanmi at just 19, and the even younger Samu Castillejo, who later joined Milan.
Initially, I focused on their mental approach, later branching into tactical and technical training. I started to cultivate a rapport with them. Through discussions and training sessions, I recognized that I could indeed influence their development, which fueled my passion for coaching, leading me to pursue my badges immediately.
My journey began with PSV in their academy before transitioning to the Dutch national team setup under Guus Hiddink after the 2014 World Cup. Working with a manager like Hiddink, who has experience with Real Madrid, Chelsea, and various national teams, was invaluable.
How does he perceive the game? What is his approach to team dynamics and individual player discussions? How does he manage media communications? What strategies does he employ for training sessions and match analysis?
This experience was incredible for me. I gained substantial knowledge, marking a pivotal moment in my coaching journey. Unfortunately, results were not favorable; Hiddink was dismissed, and we failed to qualify for Euro 2016. Despite these challenging times, I have maintained contact with Guus. I was there to support him through both highs and lows, which provided me with some fond memories from that period.
I returned to the PSV academy, where the primary focus is on development, followed closely by winning. Yet, I felt both elements were interconnected. Particularly at the under-19 level, players understand that they can debut in the Dutch league at a very young age. It was vital that they were prepared for that leap. This happened with Noni Madueke and Cody Gakpo, who moved up from under-19s to the first team, debuting and competing in European matches. It’s astonishing, but I constantly reminded players at that age of this possibility.
“Two months from now, you could be playing in front of 30,000 fans,” I would tell them. “Here’s what’s expected of you, both on and off the pitch, in transitional phases.”
From my time working with Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson, the most crucial lesson was the value of individual relationships. It’s not merely about being a football player; they are people. Once you forge that connection, you can bring out the best in them, assisting in their career development. This notion has always remained at the forefront of my mind.
At times, you need to be tough on players and at others, provide them with support. This balance is essential, but honesty and clarity should always be top priorities. If you possess knowledge about the game and what it demands at the highest levels, it’s crucial to share that insight.
As a coach, my goal has always been to assist players in achieving their ambitions. Witnessing young talents develop brings immense pride. Players like Gakpo, who moved to Liverpool, and Madueke to Chelsea, along with others from that period, have now reached the PSV first team. The pride I feel in seeing their success is akin to winning a league title.
In the summer of 2021, I took charge of Jong PSV, which was an extraordinary experience. Competing in the Dutch Championship with a squad of 18 and 19-year-olds presented robust challenges, especially regarding survival. At younger levels, players are accustomed to being the best; they dominate games, always attacking.
However, they soon faced seasoned opponents in stadiums full of hostile crowds, needing to defend effectively. Finding ways to win, even against teams that appeared superior, provided fantastic learning experiences for both the players and myself as a coach. Adapting strategies to secure results—whether through low blocks and counterattacks, high pressing, or playing in tighter spaces in the attacking third—was vital.
Without experienced leaders in the squad, the burden fell on the coaching staff to ensure survival in that league. We accomplished that, making it a memorable year.
As a player, my career was built gradually. After three years in the second tier with Den Bosch, I transitioned to a mid-table Eredivisie team, Heerenveen. Then, I joined a top team, PSV, before moving abroad; I signed for Manchester United at 25 and transferred to Real Madrid at 30. I needed that time, and I held a similar view regarding my coaching career.
So, when the club initially approached me about taking over the first team in the summer of 2022, I felt secure in my path. They outlined a difficult financial situation, indicating player sales would be necessary, and they were considering giving Roger Schmidt another year. I decided to remain with Jong PSV for another year.
Ultimately, Roger departed for Benfica, and upon further discussions with the club, we formulated a strategy addressing the financial constraints while still aiming to perform on the pitch. The 2022-23 season was about getting the economics right while achieving on-field success, which was undoubtedly going to be a challenge. We aligned on that and I embraced the opportunity.
It was never about the specific style of football I wanted to implement; it was more about identifying the optimal strategy with the players at my disposal for maximizing our season. Understanding that we needed to sell top players for significant fees meant some tough decisions during the winter break. Thus, it became about adapting to the situation rather than imposing my own philosophy as I had with Jong PSV.
This process was fantastic, allowing me to glean insights from analyzing the squad, individual player assessments, and extensive dialogue with coaching staff to maximize player performance. Whether through high pressing, mid-blocks, counterattacks, or sustained assaults in the final third varied from game to game. In numerous instances, we would dominate in our league matches, but when facing the formidable opponents or competing in Europe, we wouldn’t always be the superior side. It required adjustments to harness the best from players and each other as a coaching team.
We managed to sign a couple of players, with free agents always welcome amid tough financial times. One noteworthy addition was Xavi Simons, whose scouts effectively persuaded me to investigate him. Analyzing the provided clips, I was thoroughly convinced. I fondly recall our video call.
During that call, I presented my evaluation of his skills and areas for improvement. My aim was to share my genuine thoughts on his current capabilities and express the potential I believed he could achieve, outlining how we could facilitate that growth through individualized training and strategies.
Xavi displayed remarkable maturity during our conversation, fixated solely on one concern: “How can I improve?” His eagerness to learn and develop fostered our connection. He embraced the plan and process, culminating in an extraordinary season for him—joint top-scorer in the Eredivisie, earning a cap for the Netherlands, and participating in the World Cup. The accomplishments he achieved were truly remarkable, all thanks to his dedication.
We enjoyed significant victories at the start of the league season, including a win against Arne Slot’s Feyenoord at home and another against Ajax away. These milestones instilled confidence that we were on the right track. Still, we anticipated the upcoming winter break, knowing we would need to part ways with two of our most crucial players—Gakpo and Madueke.
Others departed as well: Philipp Max went to Eintracht Frankfurt, Yorbe Vertessen joined Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, Ki-Jana Hoever’s loan from Wolves ended, and he moved to Stoke City, while Marco van Ginkel transferred to Vitesse. Following the World Cup, we understood we would have to rebuild.
After the winter break, we drew our first two matches and subsequently lost our fourth game back in Emmen. Collectively, we had lost seven points, which proved detrimental to our league title aspirations. Ultimately, our team finished second, trailing Feyenoord by seven points. Despite this, we managed to defeat Ajax to clinch the Johan Cruyff Shield in my inaugural match and replicated that success by winning the KNVB Cup. Perhaps attempting to win all three trophies was overly ambitious.
I stepped down with one match remaining in the Eredivisie season. A head coach must align with the board and directorate, having clarity about future plans. If that alignment is missing, it becomes impossible to continue. Nonetheless, I thoroughly relished the challenge of competing against top coaches, both domestically and in European football.
In the Eredivisie, I took great pleasure in competing against Slot. His teams boast a distinctly recognizable style; he is very articulate about his concepts. He meticulously constructed the Feyenoord squad to fit those ideas, emphasizing building play from the goalkeeper, fostering combinations, and consistently finding the free player. Success in pressing requires ensuring your buildup is effective, as high and intense pressure must be managed in your own half. Slot demands thorough preparation for every match, and I cherished that challenge. He has established his methods in Holland and I believe he will succeed internationally as well.
Coaching in Europe has proven to be among the most enriching experiences I’ve encountered, whether as a player or coach. Though I have to acknowledge that we didn’t qualify for the Champions League, missing that stage would have elevated the experience further, but participating in the Europa League was exhilarating. Engaging with teams like Arsenal—one of the Premier League’s elite, led by a top manager—was enlightening. Mikel Arteta epitomizes class, exhibiting a clear vision with respect to player profiles and development within his team.
For both myself and my players, matching up against such elite teams and players served as a remarkable learning opportunity. The experience is invaluable and only fuels my desire for more.
Since parting ways with PSV, I’ve dedicated my time to learning from fellow coaches. I reached out to Carlo Ancelotti, who graciously welcomed me to Madrid for a week. I participated in every session and meeting, gaining immense insights. The club was remarkably accommodating, with Raúl and Álvaro Arbeloa also present, further enriching my experience.
My passion for football and a specific style of play have always been profound. During my time at Manchester United, Sir Alex was continuously pushing us to advance. Look forward, play forward, make crosses, and aim for the target. I found great joy in embodying that approach as a player, and I strive to extend that same feeling to my teams and players.
There is an extensive lineage of esteemed Dutch coaches whose careers inspire me: Rinus Michels, Johan Cruyff, Louis van Gaal, Guus Hiddink, Dick Advocaat, as well as Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot. Their successes motivate me to keep learning, enhancing my skills, and perhaps someday proving my capability in similar roles. It presents an incredible challenge that I eagerly anticipate.
