Aye-Aye, Captain?
Winston Bogarde Fesses Up on Missed Sparta Chance
Winston Bogarde, the former Dutch footballer, lamented his current clubless status, revealing a stunning near-miss opportunity with his former team, Sparta Rotterdam, that ultimately fell through due to lingering animosity.
Bogarde, who began his professional career with Sparta back in 1992 before transferring to Ajax in 1994 for a then-record fee, expressed his disappointment at the club’s decision to block his return.
“There has never been appreciation,” Bogarde stated recently. “ I had to file an arbitration case to only receive half of the part of the transfer fee promised to me.”
Despite the sour taste left from his departure, Bogarde had expressed openness to revisiting his roots. “”I was open to returning to them as part of the staff,’ he said, adding wistfully, “I could have been an assistant coach at Sparta now. Maurice Steijn wanted that, but the club management stopped it.”
It seems the passage of time has done little to heal old wounds. Bogarde couldn’t hide his frustration when reflecting on the situation. “Because of something that happened thirty years ago,” he said, using words that were equal parts disbelief and exasperation. “Very narrow-minded, pathetic and sad.”
This missed opportunity has left the 53-year-old Bogarde to contemplate his future. Since parting ways with Turkish club Adana Demirspor in September 2023 after a brief stint, he’s been focused on his work as a personal trainer, sharing his expertise with young defenders, including rising stars Ryan Flamingo and Jorrel Hato.
Looking ahead, the possibility of gracefully returning to Ajax, his post-Sparta stomping grounds, seems uncertain. When asked about a potential comeback, Bogarde was candid: “That’s very difficult, I don’t think so.”
What past grievances does Winston Bogarde hold with Sparta Rotterdam?
**Interviewer:** Winston, you’ve been very open about your disappointment with Sparta Rotterdam’s decision to block your return. Some might say that holding on to past grievances is preventing you from moving forward. What would you say to those people?
**Bogarde:**
**Interviewer:**
Do you think Sparta Rotterdam made the right decision in not bringing you back, or was it a missed opportunity for both sides?
