Mark van Bommel; the player…

Right after me translating this VI interview with Mark, the news broke that he will renew his deal with Bayern…

It’s a weird year for Mark van Bommel. Back in Oranje with applause, but a troubled start at Bayern. Benched even, despite the captain’s band. His future in Munich is uncertain, but his future in orange seems set.

You’re at a crossroads in your career…
“Yes, I’m 31 years old now… I still have a contract here till the summer, but I have some more years in me. I’d love to stay on in Munich and the management knows this. I feel at home here, my family loves it here and in terms of my football here I’m happy too…”

So, if Bayern offers you a two or three year deal, it’s in the bag?
“That I don’t know. I’m thinking about their current offer. I’m not happy with the one year offer. That means I’m 32 years old when I’m done here. No certainty and for some clubs I’ll be too old. I hope we’ll sort it out. I feel strong, I play well and I’m basically transfer free in the summer, so I’m in a good position.”

You still feel the hunger?
“I think I improve still every season, you know. I may not be faster but I see the situation quicker, which means I can act faster. Physically, I am top fit. I feel at my best when I play 10 or 12 games in a row, you know. Even midweek games. Whenever I get a weekend off for whatever reason, I fall back a tad. It’s weird. When I’m rested, I feel really tired at the end of a game, and when I’ve been under constant pressure I can run for hours. Only training sessions can’t get you fit, at least not in my cases. I need matches to be top fit.”

How hard is it then, when you’re benched, like in the start of the season?
“I think it’s very difficult. And I’m Bayern’s skipper as well. I feel I need to play. But, that’s my feeling. You can’t moan and whine about. Also, because you’re the skipper. You can’t endanger the groups processes and I won’t of course.”

And in those periods, the media are looking out for you, hoping for some venomous soundbites…
“I know. I don’t run away from them. But I do try to be honest. I will tell them: guys, I don’t have anything to say. Please respect that. I don’t want to be seen escaping situations, because that will fuel rumors. The response from the tabloids here was pretty positive actually. I try to put Bayern’s interest before my own.”

And internally?
“I speak my mind. I tell the coach what my opinion is, but it’s his decision and I will respect that.”

How’s your relationship with Jurgen Klinsmann?
“Normal. We have a normal, run of the mill player-coach relationship. I’m still his skipper, haha. And I trained very well in the period I was benched. And my team mates sense that even if I don’t play, I’m important for the group, you know. I don’t sulk. And as a sub, you can help the team, by coaching and talking to the other players. And in that period, I was called up for Oranje again, which was very good for me. We had two international games and I had something to focus on.”

And you scored an important goal against Norway!
“Yeah, but apart from the goal, I played a good game against Norway overall. I feel great being back in Oranje. The personal relationships are good, everyone knows what’s expected, there are clear rules and agreements. I can feel the confidence from the coach and my mates. My role is to support and play in service of the four creative players. That’s my primary task. And when you have that under control, I can move up and support them offensively. So, if that works out in the match and you score an important goal, it’s icing on the cake.”

There was a time when you were good for 15 goals per season. Don’t you miss the more play-maker days of old?
“I can be very pleased with a match controlling the midfield. If I don’t come into scoring position but stop the opponent from being threatening, I can really be satisfied. I chose my moments at Bayern and my relationship with Ze Roberto in the squad is great. I am more controlling in my game than he is and that’s fine. We watch each other’s back all the time and we operate like I did with Johann Vogel at PSV. It’s second nature. In Oranje, we play more compact. With two holding players next to each other. The gap between me and the forwards is smaller, so it’s easier to engage in attack.”

Your first international game against Russia – post Van Basten – was crucial. All the eyes were fixed on Van Bommel. Can he do it?
“But it’s not about the individual. I think we played great as a defensive block. I was happy it was an away game, so we were allowed to play a bit more defensive. Playing away is easier nowadays than playing at home. Home fans expect a lot. But our whole team is of a high standard. Playing with Ooijer, Mathijsen and De Jong is great. If we do our job, the four creative players only need to worry about creating goals. That is the basis of our gameplan.”

Is your role different than under Marco van Basten?
“Well, I was a question mark in his eyes. I’m not under Van Marwijk. Under Marco, sometimes I played, the other time I wasn’t called up. I realize I will have to perform every match under Van Marwijk again, but I feel more confidence now.”

Van Marwijk put you in as holding midfielder and said: that’s your role.
“And that’s what I mean with the confidence and trust. Van Basten would bench you after a weak 45 minutes. In my case, that didn’t work. I started to avoid taking risks. You’re only thinking: I can’t make a mistake I can’t make a mistake. That doesn’t help me or the team get better. I won’t pass this ball deep, because I don’t want to be benched, you know. It’s killing. But that’s me. Other players didn’t seem to mind his approach.”

You don’t seem to mind playing in service?
“Hey, I’ve always been a servant. Even at PSV. But I scored a lot in Eindhoven and I played there for a while so people see you as one of the leading players, but that was nonsense. At PSV, the stars were Luc Nilis and Ruud van Nistelrooy. I loved playing in service of those two. Let them do the trickery and the goalscoring and I’d mop up after them. And Barcelona signed me for that reason. Not to be the playmaker. Everybody in Barcelona was happy with me. I played 24 games in the Primera Division and was injured for eight games. I played nine out of thirteen games in the Champions League. So, I must have done something right? And don’t make a mistake: the level at Oranje is extraordinarely high. I’m proud to play in service of Robben, Van der Vaart and Van Persie. They’re the artists and they can make their art partly because of me, De Jong and the other players. I think Oranje’s level is comparable to the level at Barca, Real Madrid or Manchester United. When we do a pass and positioning training at Oranje, the balls are played so strong and so precise. That’s a joy…”

In every international game, you’re the man with the most passes…
“Which is proof that we try to build up through midfield. Play the ball in, create the extra man situation and trying to find the next free man….”

And you repossess the most balls…
“…I have developed that in the last years. It’s a game, basically. When the defender of the opponent has the ball, I sometimes allow my man a bit more space. So, the defender thinks his mate is unmarked. When he passes, I sprint into him and even when I’m too late, the pressure I put on him makes him pass badly, which allows another Oranje player to repossess the ball. Sometimes I repossess the ball because of the pressure Ooijer or Mathijsen put on their man. We talk about that all the time and we do it better all the time. Joris and Andre talk a lot on the pitch too and they have a knack for the right position. For me and Nigel, it’s great. They make us look good, haha… I truly feel they deserve more recognition for their game.”

How ambitious are you still?
“It’s easier to win one title than it is to win four… When you’ve won a lot, you need to find new ways to motivate yourself. It gets harder and harder but I’m pretty good at motivating myself. I don’t have time to admire my wins, titles and prizes. I’ll do that when I’ve retired.”

So, a move to PSV is not very likely?
“No, not at this stage in my career. I’m not done yet. But, when I return to PSV, I will still be hungry.”