ANP
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 00:33
Trainer Jeroen Rijsdijk was surprised and amazed when he was fired by Sparta Rotterdam ten days ago. “I have the feeling that a reason was being sought,” he says Studio Footballwhere he responded for the first time to his dismissal from the club with which he was eleventh in the Premier League.
The evening before his dismissal, Sparta under Rijsdijk won 6-1 against amateur club Hercules in the cup after extra time. The next morning, Rijsdijk said he noticed for the first time that the club wanted to get rid of him. “I had five missed calls. Then I thought, they won’t call for anything else.”
His premonition came true and he was fired that same morning. A day later, the return of Maurice Steijn, who also coached Sparta in the 2022/2023 season, was announced.
“What I heard as the reason for my dismissal is the lack of sporting development. You can explain that in all kinds of ways. It was never explained to me what that means. If you are eleventh and have just won 6-1, I think that no valid reason. And the timing, I think few trainers were fired after a 6-1 win.”
Rijdsijk about dismissal from Sparta: ‘Feeling that a reason has been sought’
In addition to the sporting development, technical director Gerard Nijkamp pointed out in an interview RTV Rijnmond also on the image he received after conversations with strong players from the playing group. “Jeroen has proven to be a novice trainer who has developed quite a bit but has to go through a number of phases.”
“I would never say it that way in his position, after all, he also appointed me,” Rijsdijk responds to the director’s words. “I have been a trainer since 2010. It’s great that you see me as a starting trainer. But I would never have done it that way. I am a gentleman and don’t go slinging mud here.”
“In a team of 25 people, there are always players who are dissatisfied. But I have also had messages from players sitting on the bench who said: ‘coach, you don’t deserve this’. That says a lot more to me. It gives me feeling that a reason was sought. The player group would have been involved. But I can give you on a silver platter that the relationship with the players was excellent.”
App from successor Steijn
The fact that successor Steijn was signed a day after Rijsdijk’s departure could indicate that the club already had plans ready for Rijsdijk’s dismissal.
“If you have followed the reports, some things have happened there. In the case of Maurice, I would not have stepped in,” says Rijsdijk, who did not ask his successor when he was approached. Both trainers were in contact on the day of dismissal. According to Rijsdijk, Steijn sent him a text with the advice “not to believe everything that was in the media”.
ANPMaurice Steijn lost to Groningen (1-0) on his return as Sparta coach
Due to the departure of several experienced employees, Rijsdijk believes that Sparta’s objectives are undeservedly even higher than before. “The group is now a lot younger. A lot of talent, but every group needs leaders, and there have been fewer and fewer of them in the last two years.”
“Sparta has also acquired a different status since we finished sixth. Teams come to Het Kasteel with the idea ‘we will give Sparta the ball’. Just like we do at PSV-uit, for example.”
NOS
Rijsdijk’s Dismissal – Curious Case of Timing and Tactics
So, the drama at Sparta Rotterdam unfolds like a bad soap opera, doesn’t it? Trainer Jeroen Rijsdijk was given the boot just ten days ago, and what a surprise it was! Imagine winning 6-1 and still finding yourself on the unemployment line the very next morning. It’s like celebrating your birthday and getting a fruitcake instead of a nice gift. Maybe they thought he wouldn’t appreciate the win? Or maybe there were whispers in the corridors of the club that Rijsdijk just couldn’t hear over the cheers from the stands!
Rijsdijk’s latest comments brought a nostalgic tinge to the evening: “I had five missed calls. Then I thought, they won’t call for anything else.” Spoiler alert: he wasn’t wrong. It’s always a fun Friday night when you start with a glorious victory and end up drowning in phone calls that lead to your professional execution.
The Shocking Blow and Subsequent Scream
To add to the spices of this football tale, we have the technical director Gerard Nijkamp, spilling some tea about Rijsdijk being a “novice trainer.” I don’t know about you, but when you’re 11th in the league and just blitzed a team 6-1, ‘novice’ seems like the understatement of the year. That’s like calling a lion a “big cat.” Sure, he’s new at the gig, but that doesn’t mean he can’t throw a glorious party now and then!
Rijsdijk didn’t take those comments lying down, of course. The man defended himself like an experienced lawyer not only disputing the label but waving the “gentleman” card. He stated, “I would never have done it that way.” A classic case of ‘You can’t fire me, I quit!’ – perfectly executed on the field of football drama!
A Masterclass in Mismanagement?
But wait, there’s more! The club’s swift move to rehire Maurice Steijn for the same position gives a rather Hitchcockian twist to the plot. One day after Rijsdijk’s untimely dismissal, voilà, a new (old) coach! Sounds like the club had this plan up their sleeves all along. Just call it a “job swap” with a dramatic flair. Can’t you just see them huddled in a corner discussing Rijsdijk’s fate like kids trading Pokémon cards? “I’ll give you a gym leader for your novice player!”
As Rijsdijk gracefully left the scene, he claimed players that sat on the bench were also feeling dashed, sending him messages that he “didn’t deserve this.” Honestly, if I were him, I’d start a *“Don’t Fire Me!”* club with all those who’ve felt the sting of unjust dismissals. This league is starting to sound like a desperate dating scene – one minute you’re winning medals, the next you’re swiping left! Can we just freeze the drama for a moment?
The Puzzle of Higher Objectives
And let’s talk about objectives, shall we? Rijsdijk suggested Sparta’s expectations are far too optimistic given the team’s “youthful” demographic. It’s like expecting a toddler to win a spelling bee. “Oh, look at all that talent!” Sure, but sometimes you actually need a few seasoned players if you want to finish above the relegation zone. Just why teams think it’s a good idea to replace experience with ‘should have been’ stars is beyond me. Perhaps the club thought: “Let’s go for a youthful image! Who doesn’t love the idea of a team of teenagers?” Spoiler alert: not the fans expecting results!
But as the saga continues and Steijn wobbles back into the coach’s seat, one can’t help but feel a sense of tragicomedy. Like watching a sitcom unfold where the ‘happy ending’ isn’t so clear. Let’s hope that Sparta gets back on track, and who knows, maybe next week, we’ll be discussing how Rijsdijk makes a surprising return to lead the club to greatness while Steijn awkwardly stands by, wondering what happened to all his calls!
In conclusion, folks, buckle in because in the world of football, the only constant is change, and sometimes, it comes with a side of theatrics. We’ll be watching!
Trainer Jeroen Rijsdijk expressed his astonishment and disbelief following his abrupt dismissal by Sparta Rotterdam, which occurred just ten days ago. In an interview with Studio Football, he shared his sentiment: “I have the feeling that a reason was being sought,” revealing his confusion regarding the circumstances of his termination from the team, which currently stood eleventh in the Premier League.
The day before his unexpected dismissal, Rijsdijk’s squad achieved a remarkable 6-1 victory against the amateur side Hercules in the cup, triumphing after extra time. However, the very next morning, he sensed something was amiss when he discovered five missed calls on his phone, leading him to speculate, “They won’t call for anything else.”
His intuition proved accurate as he was officially let go that same morning. Shortly thereafter, the club made headlines by announcing the return of Maurice Steijn, who previously managed Sparta during the 2022/2023 season.
Rijsdijk elaborated on what was conveyed as the rationale behind his dismissal: it was attributed to a purported lack of sporting development. “You can explain that in all kinds of ways,” he remarked. “It was never explained to me what that means. If you are eleventh and have just won 6-1, I think that is no valid reason. And the timing, I think few trainers were fired after a 6-1 win.”
Technical director Gerard Nijkamp later discussed Rijsdijk’s departure in a conversation with the media, emphasizing feedback he received from prominent players regarding Rijsdijk’s performance. “Jeroen has proven to be a novice trainer who has developed quite a bit but has to go through a number of phases,” Nijkamp asserted.
In response to Nijkamp’s comments, Rijsdijk maintained a level of professionalism, stating, “I would never say it that way in his position, after all, he also appointed me… I have been a trainer since 2010. It’s great that you see me as a starting trainer. But I would never have done it that way. I am a gentleman and don’t go slinging mud here.”
Rijsdijk acknowledged the inevitable presence of disgruntled players in any large team setting, noting, “In a team of 25 people, there are always players who are dissatisfied. But I have also had messages from players sitting on the bench who said: ‘coach, you don’t deserve this.’ That says a lot more to me. It gives me feeling that a reason was sought. The player group would have been involved. But I can give you on a silver platter that the relationship with the players was excellent.”
App from successor Steijn
The swift appointment of Maurice Steijn as Rijsdijk’s successor just one day after Rijsdijk’s departure might indicate that the club had already concocted plans for this managerial change well in advance.
Rijsdijk commented on the situation, saying, “If you have followed the reports, some things have happened there. In the case of Maurice, I would not have stepped in,” revealing that he refrained from discussing the matter with Steijn when he was approached about the role. Interestingly, both coaches communicated on the day of Rijsdijk’s termination, with Steijn advising him via text not to believe everything circulated in the media.
Rijsdijk expressed concerns regarding the trajectory of the club amidst the departure of several experienced staff. “The group is now a lot younger. A lot of talent, but every group needs leaders, and there have been fewer and fewer of them in the last two years.”
The shift in club dynamics has altered how opponents approach matches against Sparta. “Sparta has also acquired a different status since we finished sixth. Teams come to Het Kasteel with the idea ‘we will give Sparta the ball.’ Just like we do at PSV-uit, for example.”
Dynamics can be tricky, and it’s natural for some players to feel overlooked or frustrated.” This statement further highlights the complexity of team management, especially when balancing the needs and aspirations of a diverse group of athletes.
The saga of Rijsdijk’s dismissal is indeed a convoluted tale that echoes through the annals of sports management. The quick pivot back to Maurice Steijn certainly sends mixed signals about the club’s direction and future ambitions. The decision to rehire Steijn, who had previously led the team, may reflect a lack of long-term vision or perhaps a knee-jerk reaction to recent performances. Nonetheless, it suggests that the club may be resorting to familiar solutions in times of uncertainty—a strategy that can be both stabilizing and limiting.
Interestingly, Rijsdijk’s comments about the high expectations placed on a younger squad ring true in a broader context within football management. Clubs often aim for upward momentum, yet the pressure to succeed can create unrealistic goals, particularly when they overlook the essential need for mentorship and leadership within the team.
As the dust settles on this dramatic episode, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Sparta Rotterdam navigates the turbulent waters ahead. Will Steijn manage to reinvigorate the squad or will his return be seen as a mere patchwork solution? And as for Rijsdijk, his next steps remain uncertain, though with his experience and insights, it’s likely we haven’t seen the last of him in the coaching world.
Ultimately, this situation exemplifies the unpredictability of football management, where one moment you might be celebrating a significant victory, and the next, you’re contemplating your future. The ever-volatile nature of the sport keeps everyone on their toes. For supporters, the key takeaway is to embrace the thrills—and spills—of their club’s journey, knowing that in football, as in life, change is the only constant, and sometimes, the storyline can turn in an instant.
