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2009 will be the year of Feyenoord's recovery
Wednesday 13 January 2009
Feyenoord's New Year's reception
on Tuesday was all about hope. General Director Eric
Gudde announced 2009 was going to be the year of the
recovery.
"With that we can regain the
confidence of our fans," he argued, referring to
the achievements of the team in the first half of this
season.
Under the guidance of Gertjan Verbeek
Feyenoord finished 2008 on a painful 12th spot.
"I will not make things better
than they are," Gudde told his listeners.
"Winning the Cup on 27 April
left us with a taste for more. The sixth place in the
league was very disappointing then. Where we are now
is totally unacceptable. The 12th spot is not unworthy
for Feyenoord. We have really tested the patience of
the fans the sponsors and the investors. We are facing
an enormous challenge in 2009 to try and turn it into
something worthwhile."
Gudde mentioned a number of indications
for moderate optimism.
"It is important to stick
to our vision, to our clearly defined course. The top
sport policy we aim for will bring us success in the
long run, whatever people on the outside may think or
say about it. There are plenty of examples. FC Twente,
Heerenveen, FC Groningen, Arsenal, the women's water
polo team, the women's hockey team; what connects them
is a structural and consistent top sport policy. We
truly believe in that at Feyenoord."
Gudde says that Feyenoord struggle
with a burden of debt of about 17 million euro. When
he took on his job at the club a year and a half ago
it was double that amount.
But with lower TV revenue and a
disappointing sale of commercial boxes in the stadium
the Rotterdam club have little to no room left in their
budget.
But Fortis will remain the main
sponsor for the time being: "We are awaiting a
definitive decision."
Verbeek: "Way up through
Heerenveen"
Coach Gertjan Verbeek welcomed the largest group of
players during training yesterday he has seen this season.
Almost all injured players were
back and even forward Tim Vincken showed his face outdoors
after more than a year of absence.
"We also had Tim de Cler,
Jon-Dahl Tomasson and Georginio Wijnaldum back,"
Verbeek said afterwards.
"So they are on their way
back as well. It's looking good, but all will depend
on what we achieve in the league."
Away to Heerenveen on Friday Verbeek
wants to start moving up again and Tuesday after Heerenveen
come to De Kuip for a Cup tie in the round of 32.
"Beating them twice would
be very good for confidence," Verbeek realized.
"After our training camp in
Turkey I noticed some new verve in the squad. But you
can train and talk as much as you want, winning is still
the best way of getting out f this negative spiral."
Bosz: "Feyenoord will only
sell "
Feyenoord will only be active as a selling party during
this transfer window, said Director of Football Peter
Bosz.
"That is the reality. We can
only buy after we make a big sale. And chances of that
are not so big. With several smaller transfers we can
also perhaps do something. We will not cooperate in
any loan deals. We shall have to do it with the squad
as it is. Fortunately more and more players are returning
from injury."
Feyenoord are hoping to extend
the contract of Diego Biseswar, which expires at the
end of this season.
Goal keeper Henk Timmer will most
likely extend for one season, whereas ADO Den Haag has
made an offer for Belgian defender Timothy Derijck.
"But apart from that there
is not much movement," Bosz admitted.
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