World

Europe

Netherlands

John Metgod joins Adams at Portsmouth

November 11th, 2008 | By: Jan | 25 Comments »

Divine help for Adams…

His mobile phone doesn’t stop ringing. “John, the BBC wants to talk to you!”. Former Nothingham team mate Gary Birtles wants Metgod live in the broadcast. And son Dimitri is running around weariing a Pompey jersey.

John Metgod is leaving Feyenoord. The assistant coach will join Tony Adam’s squad as assistant coach. The two had met at Feyenoord when Adams did his apprenticeship in Rotterdam. And with his years at Forest and the Spurs, he is still a well-known name in England.

How are the reactions on your transfer to England?
Metgod: “Unbelievable. All Feyenoord players, the coaches and ex-players called, or sent texts…all great reactions. Most people like me to succeed in my new adventure and I really love that.”

Did you wish to go to England?
Metgod: “I really enjoyed my work as scout for Feyenoord. I traveled a lot, saw many games and it’s fun to do. But I never really said goodbye to being a coach. I knew if something would come by I’d jump at it. And this, returning to England, is great. I had wonderful years there and the fact that I’m not forgotten is just heartwarming.”

You still have a huge status over there, more so than in Holland.
Metgod: “Yeah, the cab driver immediately raved on about my free kick against West Ham (for Nottingham Forest). It’s typical for English fans. They’ll never forget you. The whole excitement around football in England is just unique. I really felt at home again.”

Was it a surprise to be called by Tony Adams (Pompey’s new manager)?
Method: “We clicked when he worked here and we always stayed in touch. But I’m definitely honoured. Tony Adams is a big man in England. Here in Holland, they’d say “look, there’s that guy Adams”, in England they call him The Legend… I am looking forward to working with him. Thursday will be my first day.”

And what a group it is!
Metgod: “Sol Campbell, Peter Crouch, David James, Jermain Defoe, you name them… But the EPL is tough. There are no weak clubs.”

What feeling do you have now, leaving Feyenoord?
Metgod: “I’m just proud, man. I worked here 20 years. I played here. It is a wonderful club and I am happy they allowed me to go. Adams wanted me yesterday. I worked with Del Bosque at Real Madrid and I am still in touch with him. As I will always be in touch with Feyenoord.”

Tags: Adams, Feyenoord, Group C, Metgod, Portsmouth, Real Madrid, Van Marwijk

Netherlands World Cup RSS Feed

del.icio.us:John Metgod joins Adams at Portsmouth

digg:John Metgod joins Adams at Portsmouth

newsvine:John Metgod joins Adams at Portsmouth

reddit:John Metgod joins Adams at Portsmouth

fark:John Metgod joins Adams at Portsmouth

Y!:John Metgod joins Adams at Portsmouth

stumbleupon:John Metgod joins Adams at Portsmouth

Comments

By Caleb | November 12th, 2008 at 11:00 am

I just watched the highlights of the Arsenal vs. Wigan Carling cup match and pretty much the only Wigan highlights were two shots by De Ridder! He had two shots saved, and one of them was after a really great run by De Ridder…
Other than that, Vela scored another really nice goal. He’s definitely got a future… Van Persie better clean up his act, because he’s got real competition coming.

Posted from Canada

By finnster01 | November 12th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

Not a big fan of the Arse as you know, but to be fair, what is there not to like about those youngsters?

That 16 year old, Jack Wilshire, has a very bright future as well.

By Caleb | November 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pm

Yeah, good point Finnster – he also had some excellent passes in that game… there sure is a lot of young talent at Arsenal.
But what’s going on with De Ridder? Looks like he played a sharp game in the carling cup, will he start being used in the Premier League anytime soon I wonder?

Posted from Canada

By Carlos | November 12th, 2008 at 6:07 pm

I AM an Arsenal fan and what I like about Wenger is that he uses this competition solely to give his youngsters experience. Even if they make the final it will still be the youngsters taking the field. Good move !

Posted from Singapore

By Jan | November 12th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

Me too Carlos and I’m a Wenger fan. Can’t help it. He looks like a protestant minister at times, but he’s cool anyway…

De Ridder has started in the EPL already

By Andrew | November 13th, 2008 at 1:18 am

Jan,
Re: Metgod story. Nice. I really enjoy such stories, the history giving context to the present. Thanks for doing it; and thanks for giving this site such breadth. Its terrific.

Andrew

Posted from United States

By Jan | November 13th, 2008 at 3:52 am

Thanks Andrew! Appreciate your comments. We do have many “almost-forgotten” heroes. Metgod was one of them (at least for Nottingham fans). The guy played at Real Madrid even. And for the great AZ of the 1980s.

I loved that team! Know all the players, still. By name, I mean.

By Caleb | November 13th, 2008 at 11:00 am

@Jan – yeah, De Ridder has started in the EPL already, but he’s not a regular though, right?

Posted from Canada

By Andrew | November 13th, 2008 at 11:04 am

Jan, The AZ team is actually where I know Metgod from…I was just living in Europe (Scotland) at the time and the world of Int’l soccer was opening up on me. Didn’t he play in an amazing UEFA final between Alkmaar and Ipswich (?), coached by Bobby Robson, wasn’t Thiejson (sp?) on that team, played over the two legs, Alk was trailing badly, Metgod pushed way forward and scored a couple second half goals to make it close? Am I remembering it right?

Posted from United States

By Jan | November 13th, 2008 at 4:40 pm

Haha , I think you’re mixing up two different teams in your head: FC Twente and AZ.

Twente had players like Frans Thijssen and Epi Drost (Thijssen would move to Ipswich with Arnold Muhren).

AZ had Metgod, Jan Peters, Kirsten Nygaard, Kees Kist and Pier Tol.

I’ll dig up some factoids about both teams, ok?

By Andrew | November 13th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

Well, Jan, the 80’s were a little confusing for me.

Posted from United States

By finnster01 | November 13th, 2008 at 11:58 pm

Don’t worry Andrew, I am still caught up in the eighties. Never seemed to have got out of that.

By Caleb | November 14th, 2008 at 10:41 am

I was born in the (early) eighties

Posted from Canada

By Andrew | November 14th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

Thanks for the support, Finn…I think. As for Caleb’s comment, I think that just means the first beers are on him.

Posted from United States

By Caleb | November 14th, 2008 at 2:26 pm

Haha, is that the rules? Alright then, one day we’ll all have to get together to watch an Oranje game, and i’ll buy the first round

Posted from Canada

By finnster01 | November 14th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

All up for that mates. I’ll take care of the second round. Any of you ever travel through NYC?

By Andrew | November 14th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

Up for it as well, too. I’m on the opposite coast, SF Bay Area, but I do like NY…And if it were ever to work out, put me down for the third round.

Posted from United States

By finnster01 | November 14th, 2008 at 3:58 pm

See, looks like we may have a Oranje “Jan’s Blog” party some day!! This is what I’m talkin about!!!

Any other takers? Maybe we can arrange something for a WC qualifier? Anyone else travelling through NYC? I’d be happy to do some leg work and organizing in my end.

There are very few places in New York City that show soccer/football and serve alcohol that I do not know about.In fact, there’s probably none, and I’ve also yet to be banned despite my somewhat antisocial behaviour when we lost to Russia this summer (helps knowing the owner, I suppose).

If it is on a satellite somewhere in the world, we’ll find a way to get the old Oranje up on the big screen, trust me. Just someone, please bring the Oranje Angel…

By Jan | November 14th, 2008 at 5:27 pm

I’ve got an inflatable version of her: http://www.inflatableorangeangel.com

Whenever I’m in the Big A I will join you guys:

Eating cheese, walking around on yellow wooden shoes, gullit wig, singing the notorious ole ole oleee oleeee or lallaalallalaahaaalllaaaaalalalallaaalaaaa

By Caleb | November 14th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Never been to NYC, I’m right in the middle of Canada. I’ll have to make the trip one day though, sounds like fun!

Posted from Canada

By finnster01 | November 14th, 2008 at 5:52 pm

LOL Jan, that’s the best part. Couldn’t believe my luck this summer against Italy when this troupe of Dutch ladies out of nowhere just walked into my local, wigs, shirts, orange boa’s and all…and because I am the only sad guy in Orange in there, I haven’t got that much attention since Indonesia was part of the Netherlands…

Excellent!!! Can’t beat those Dutch girls!! (and I was not refering to Van Persie)

By Carlos | November 14th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

Oh and I shall also buy a couple of rounds (of wine of course). If we all meet in NYC. Have just received an invitation to come to Stellenbosch during 2010…..hmmmm pondering, but I can’t leave the 300+ Dutchies who rely on my big screen,heineken, free bitter ballen, free coffee and the Oranje atmosphere in Singapore at Vino Vino

Posted from Singapore

By finnster01 | November 14th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

Don’t get me jealous now. That’s not fair. Maybe I have to come to Singapore and make sure you don’t leave the fort?

By Carlos | November 14th, 2008 at 10:31 pm

Finn – sounds great..lets all meet in Singapore
Drinks/Food on me !! I mean it !!

Posted from Singapore

By Jan | November 15th, 2008 at 2:57 am

Bloody hell, we’ve got a gathering happeming, I can feel it!!!

But Carlos, seriously, take the invite to go to SAF man!

Comments are closed