Marco van Basten was a world class player – Derksen

October 15th, 2009 | by: Jan |

Johan Derksen column:

Marco van Basten is back in football. This time as tv analist. There’s a remarkable small amount of ex-players who have the guts and vision to come forward with there opinions. Jan Mulder and Rene van der Gijp are comics. Characters. Johan Cruyff is an enigma, formulating in his own lingo, coming across as a sort of football Swiebertje (famous Dutch tv-character) and who enriches our language more than anything else.

Johan decided to boycot the Dutch sports programs, because he doesn’t want to be ridiculed by his colleagues. His peer Van Hanegem has more charisma than all other analists together. Willem only has to sit on in the studio and the viewers are happy. But, he has shockingly little to say. His one-lines keep him popular though. Guus Hiddink, Wim Kieft, Rene Eykelkamp and Jaap Stam all share a big football career but excel in wording cliches.

Louis van Gaal and Co Adriaanse are the masters of the analysis. They know how to construct sentences and have spiced up opinions, which don’t allow for any doubt. And this group of analists has now been enlarged by Marco van Basten.

He was a tremendous player and he actually has a fine black-white opinion. A fascinating personality. Johan Cruyff always thought Marco would become a top coach, and honestly speaking…so did I.

Johan navigated Marco straight into Ajax, but I didn’t have any confidence left in him by then, since his activities as team manager clearly showed he was messing around.

He allowed players to make their debut in Oranje who lacked the quality, he constantly put players on positions they weren’t used to playing and he stifled opinionated players like Van Bommel, Seedorf and Van Nistelrooy.

Kees Jansma played a vital role in that period Van Basten, but correcting the coach before he’d come out and say silly things. The management of Ajax was probably deep asleep in those days or they simply only listened to Cruyff.

At Ajax, Van Basten was handed the crown. He had total control over the technical management at the club and the result was disastrous. He chucked money around, and as a result the club now has a number of expensive players who don’t function.

Aissati, Cvitanich, Sno, Wielaert and Oleguer still have to prove why Ajax signed them. Sulejmani doesn’t impress either but will most probably succeed.

During physical condition tests at Oranje the Ajax players were the worst of the bunch, but in Zeist everyone bit on their lip to not embarrass a former colleague. When Marco threw the towel because he finally realized coaching wasn’t for him, most Ajax players were overweight.

Cruyff still says that the apple of his eye failed due to the bad organization at Ajax, but it’s simple: Van Basten simply failed. Bert van Marwijk is by all means a better manager and the Ajax players now realize their development has stalled under Van Basten.

Van Basten was lured into the Sport 1 crew to analyse games. When he’s relaxed he’s a warm human being, but in his new role he needs to come up with relevant information for the viewers… Point out things that the average fan won’t see, give an opinion and acknowledge or criticize where necessary.

Well, I haven’t seen any of that. There he was, a famous ex player who politely answered questions with platitudes. Van Basten can’t differentiate himself from – say – Wim Kieft and therefore doesn’t add value to the program. He’s not competent as a coach, and he’s also not born to be an analist.

I say, Van Basten should go and play golf. Because I can’t see him develop into a tv-rating top scorer. So, he will go into the history books as a genius football player. Period. I’d sign on the dotted line if I were him…

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 57 comments.

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By OranjeRules | October 17th, 2009 at 11:31 am

Question – why has Gio lost everyone’s respect at this blog? When did he ever cost Oranje a victory? He is still class. I have no clue where Braafied has proven he is more worthy of the Oranje LB spot? Youth does not equal quality!

By Alex | October 17th, 2009 at 12:09 pm

Respect is different from whether or not he’s good enough, I still respect Gio for the person and player he is, but especially was and what he has accomplished and done, but it doesn’t have to mean that he’s my first choice for LB, personally if a LB loses his speed with age, it doesn’t have to be that big of a problem, if he’s a good “defender” naturally, but Gio is a midfielder turned topclass attacking wingback, but he doesn’t have true topclass defensive qualities, so now, he’s slower but can’t make up for it, unlike Stam who could by positioning, and defensive brains, I’d rather have Braafheid, who’s at least a natural defender then.

Posted from Netherlands

By Alex | October 17th, 2009 at 12:20 pm

So the reason peopl lose trust in him is cause he often looks shaky or uncertain defensively.

Posted from Netherlands

By sonneveld | October 17th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

van der sar played today

babel and kuyt did not play well. kuyt proved he is not a central striker babel proved he not anything

van persie scored his fourth goal in five games from central striker

zendan came on for sunderland and looked ripped

beach ball cost liverpool a goal but they deserved to lose anyway and might not make champions league

braafheid played but is being blamed by some for bayerns goal against

boulahrouz started third straight match today

By fares | October 17th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

vaart starting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By goose | October 17th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

you people reckon Bergkamp is a great communicater? no; just another great player who cant do without football and has all the time (and all the money) in the world to do whatever he pleases, big mistake Dennis!

Posted from Netherlands

By Alex | October 17th, 2009 at 2:34 pm

Sneijder is doing very good for Inter, great cutting passes.

Posted from Netherlands

By David | October 17th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

I think that if van der vaart can eventually get playing time at madrid or he leaves in january and plays at some new club our line up for the world cup should be this:
Stek/VDS (if decides to comeback)
Boula-Heitinga-Mathijsen-Gio
Van Bommel-De Jong
Kuyt-Van der Vaart-Sneijder
RvP
basically the same line up as we did in the euro except no ooijer no ruud. i like this line up a lot because when van der vaart and wes are working together there as effective as iniesta and xavi. gio as a left back because going forward hes more effective then braafheid and him and wes can combine on that left side. Boula is a solid right back and i thought proved himself at the euro he deserves a starting spot. I think Robben should come in as a sub because i think hes more effective that way, coming in when everyone is tired to give a spark. I think we definitely have a chance at winning the world cup because our defense really is not that bad, and our midfield/forwards are second only to spain.

Posted from United States

By bobotoh | October 17th, 2009 at 3:18 pm

Vdv is starting for real madrid. Is he good?

Posted from Canada

By Marc | October 17th, 2009 at 4:36 pm

Best Oranje players so far: Van Persie, Van der Vaart, and SNEIJDER, he ripped apart the genoa defence.

Posted from United States

By Carlos | October 17th, 2009 at 4:54 pm

For those of you who think MvB gave us the 4-2-3-1 system, please get facts straight. Oranje players themselves told Marco (esp RVN) that their play was too predictable and they didnt feel good playing it. When asked what system they would like to play they chose 4-2-3-1. It was the first time MvB actually listened to the players.

Posted from Singapore

By finnster01 | October 17th, 2009 at 5:13 pm

Kuyt and babel was absolutely CRAP today. Both of them. Headless chickens. Just shows how much Liverpool depends on Gerrard and Torres once again.

It sucks to be a ‘pool fan at the moment.

By sonneveld | October 17th, 2009 at 5:27 pm

Sneijder: 8.5 – This is the type of performance that the Nerazzurri braintrust wanted out of the Dutchman when they signed him this summer. He was the architect of the Inter attack. Played a big hand in three of the Beneamata’s goals and was a danger every time he touched the ball.

good stuff there

i did not think kuyt was that bad at least he kept possesion

the problem is babel such a bad player

By Leon | October 17th, 2009 at 7:22 pm

@Finn, hearing you loud and clear! Very frustrating!

By Jeroen | October 17th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

Good to hear Sneijder is finding his groove there in Italy. Hope Robben gets back on his feet ASAP and we make Real Madrid regret ever screwing with the Dutch.

Posted from Netherlands

By Marc | October 17th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

Did anybody see the dive by Bakkal today vs Heerenveen!! It was shocking! Everyone always called Suarez a diver and Bakkal gets nothing, one of the biggest dives I have ever seen.

Posted from United States

By Michel-Olivier | October 17th, 2009 at 11:02 pm

never mind, bergkamp can not coach orange because he doesn’t fly.

“When did he ever cost Oranje a victory?”
when Russia scored goal # 2. instead of running after torbinsk, he decided to take a walk like a brachiosaurus he is.

Posted from United States

By Alex | October 18th, 2009 at 9:50 am

V.d.Vaart-Sneijder is just one of those combinations of players that can work really well, like De Jong-V.Bommel, De Zeeuw-Schaars, or De Zeeuw-Sneijder and V.d.Vaart-V.Persie.

I’d agree with you David, but not completely, at this rate Elia, V.d.Vaart(if he plays), Kuyt and Robben are contenders for two spots, but I think since Robben can play both wings and is still rated higher than Elia, he’ll start ate the leftside, and Kuyt is more or less still the preferred other winger, though V.d.Vaart and Elia are on his heels if his performances don’t improve much, and if that happens, it’ll msot likely depend on the amount of playing time for V.d.Vaart.

–V.Bommel-De Jong
Elia/Kuyt/Robben-Sneijder-Robben/V.d.Vaart/Elia
—–V.Persie

So I think it’s pretty clear that at least De Jong, V.Bommel, Sneijder and V.Persie are certainties when fit right now, and still also Robben and Kuyt have the preference.

Posted from Netherlands

By Elias S. | October 18th, 2009 at 11:39 am

“Netherlands–have some talented palyers thats it.cannt see going beyond 2 nd round. I want greece to face Ireland…i think that would be perfect for both the teams”

Ha ha ha… right. The coffee must be bad in India. The Dutch have learned a great lesson in 2006 and 2008, and they will breeze through the WC in South Africa. If you have Holland only has talented players, how in the world are they ranked 3rd while England, Spain, and Argentina are way below? Don’t say that counts for nothing. England is sporadic. Spain as I say is not immune to self-destruction and backline confusion and overconfidence. Argentina, they barely are playing soccer now. Italy is a circus act now. France is like trying to get a new coach. Only Germany has consistency, but they have outdated playing styles. Russia finally found out how amateur they are. Brazil is only hoping not to meet the Dutch. Enuff said.

Posted from Japan

By Marc | October 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

@Elias S.
Completely Agree

Posted from United States

By finnster01 | October 18th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

@Elias S: A very good set of observations.

I would only add that England is not only sporadic, but they have no goalkeeper. Italy is now an old people’s home. Argentina will implode on themselves and Maradona will smoke himself to death. France has coaching issues as well. Further, with the exception of the last EC, Spain ALWAYS has a history of underperforming in the big tournaments, and especially the WC. Why do we believe that will stop now all of a sudden?

I also agree, the Germans will find a way to be there at the end, so will Brazil and quite possibly an African team (Ivory Coast most likely). So I have Oranje down for a semi. What happens after that is anyone’s guess and a bit of the old luck of the draw I suppose.

By bobotoh | October 18th, 2009 at 8:12 pm

Without C. Ronaldo, Real Madrid is back in winning ways. I think VdV plays an important role in that win. Not only VdV, Sneijder also played an important role when Inter beat Genoa.

Posted from Indonesia

By Jan | October 19th, 2009 at 2:46 am

Neeskens didn’t fail as a coach. He brought NEC back into Europe and was highly respected there. He’s not comfortable with the media and sponsor thing and feels better at ease as assistant. Nothing wrong with that.

Posted from Australia

By Sol | October 19th, 2009 at 6:03 am

Kuyt shouldn’t be starting for Holland, he can’t create chances unless there’s enough space for him (or no defenders around). Most opponents Holland will face will be more defensive and Holland will be the one who has to create the chances against tight defenses. Kuyt isn’t as useful there as Robben or Elia, so either of them or both of them should be used at the start ahead of Kuyt, you can always use Kuyt later when you’re ahead 2-0 and want more defensive actions and ballrecovery from your attackers.

If you start with Kuyt and get the same kind of goalscoring trouble as we had against Japan, Scotland and Australia when he was playing you might go behind against teams that have a bit more scoring ability (exactly like in the Russia game).

This will probably happpen at some point during the WC seeing that Bert has consistently chosen Kuyt in the starting line-up, even against teams where you know they will be going on the defensive (Scotland, Norway, Australia).

Will we have the strength to overcome it this time?

Maybe we’ll get a hint of our capabilities in that area against Italy in nov. Kuyt will probably start again allthough I have to admit that I don’t think Italy’s defense is as tight as it used to be, but on the other hand their offense has improved lately. Will make for an interesting match and possibly quite different than the EC 2008 game. Somehow I don’t think they’ll sit back (/defend) and wait to see how the game will develop like they did the last time either (they only came forward taking more risks after the 2-0, not even after the 1-0, they were probably still expecting their defense to hold out and were playing for 1-1, just like the way they played all their games in 2006).

Posted from Netherlands

By Sol | October 19th, 2009 at 6:09 am

Actually Sneijder had a hand in 4! of the goals by Inter. People tend to forget about that little smart run he made on the Genoa keeper (something he had done with succes a couple of times earlier) that forced the bad kick by the keeper that gave the ball to Stankovic (who had not reacted along with his Inter teammates on Sneijder’s earlier pressure runs on the keeper, but this time – probably noticing that Sneijder had had some success with it earlier – he did react) for his long distance precision goal.

Ok, that sentence is a little difficult to read now, lol. Hope you get my point. Inter isn’t used to pressure football, Sneijder is, Inter is now learning it from Sneijder and getting immediate success with it. Sneijder rules!!!