Van Marwijk jumps into the unkown…

Bert van Marwijk will work with the best players of the nation after the EC. But the most special job in Dutch football land will be executed in Van Marwijk’s “normal” way. “In this world, if you act normal, you’re special already. I don’t have the illusion that this will be a piece of cake, but I can only be myself. That’s what you get.”

The 55 year old Feyenoord coach is surprised by the way he is approached in life. “It’s strange. As a player, they always called me headstrong and opinionated. As a coach, my personality is always called “sober” and “normal”. Apparently, if you act normal you’re seen as special.”

A positive image was an important criterium for the KNVB. The only coach higher on the wishlist was Guus Hiddink. “But, Hiddink is extraordinary and wasn’t available. The next best man for the job is clearly Bert van Marwijk,” quipped Henk Kesler.

The fact that Van Marwijk is Mark van Bommel’s father-in-law was not important in Kesler’s choice. “We talked about Mark, and the answers Bert gave us were satisfactory.” Van Marwijk wanted to clarify. “I can’t say now whether I will ask Mark back. It’s simple: I will start this job in July. That’s when I will think about these things. For now, it’s not an item. I will start to select the best players for the job. If I feel Mark is one of the best for the team, I’ll talk to him. But don’t expect me to favour Mark in any way because he is my son in law. That’s not how I work and Mark knows it and the KNVB knows that. He’ll need to earn his spot and he needs to find his spot within the existing hierarchy. It’s about the team. Not about me, Mark or anyone else individually.”

Frank de Boer, Phillip Cocu and Dick Voorn will assist Van Marwijk. Asked whether the choice for an Ajax and a PSV icon was a political choice was balked at by Van Marwijk. “That’s not how I think. Come on. I am not a politician. I really wanted these guys on the strength of their skills and personalities. They played 220 international games, they’ve seen different cultures and experienced big tournaments. Their age is such that they can still be among the players. Cocu played with a couple of them. And as players, they both were already assistant coaches, in a way.”

“Dick Voorn is my consiglieri. I know him for years, worked closely with him. He is a top analyst, has a great rapport with players and is a hard workers. I believe in team work, and the guy responsible for the material to me is as important as Mr Kesler here.”

The one-time international talked to Marco van Basten only once, in December. He didn’t make the same mistake as San Marco, by promising attractive football. “Listen, there are no guarantees and really, what can I promise? I was a creative striker myself. That should be enough already. I love beautiful football. But, I like winning more. The challenge to me is to get the number 9 on the FIFA standings and try to get higher with the best players our country has on offer. Whether I’m a good team manager, only time will tell.”

The former UEFA cup winner let his feelings do the talking. “The way I feel about something is crucial, whatever my ratio says. I wanted to experience that the KNVB really wants me. Another challenge I see is the different way of working. I have been on the pitch every day for 35 years! So now, I have to adapt, I won’t be working towards a weekend-game anymore. That aspect was the hardest to gauge. Am I ready for this change of pattern. And again, you don’t know, you have to “feel” that. And the end conclusion is that I think I’m ready for it.”

Van Marwijk also stated that Frank de Boer will be his right hand man. “Cocu is still in the process of getting his diploma. De Boer is a step ahead and will combine this job with his coaching of Ajax A1. We also have Ruud Hesp (former Barcelona keeper). He will stay on as keeper trainer.”