Team Focus: Comeback Kuyt Leading Feyenoord Bid to Return to Former Glory
Next month Ernst Happel, one of the most celebrated and influential managers in football history, would have been celebrating his 90th birthday. Aside from Vienna toasting one of their greatest sons they'll be raising a glass or two in Rotterdam. In a four-year spell with Feyenoord (1969-73) he won a single league championship and wrote history after becoming the first Dutch club to lift the European Cup but more significantly he came to embody the club's values. Happel's spirit remains entrenched at De Kuip where his iconic mantra "Kein keloel, Fußbal spielen" – loosely translated as 'forget the crap, just play football' – is now their de facto motto.
Yet, since leaving office, success – in this instance defined as the number of national titles accumulated – has been few and far between, with a total of four Eredivisie shields lifted over a span of 42 years, the latest of which came in 1999. Undeniably it's a frustrating return and one that's been exacerbated by the continual reinvention of PSV and Ajax, the other members of Dutch football's 'big three'. Their ability to produce and attract talents has led to the creation of a dominant duopoly, combined they've won 14 of the 16 championships to date in the 21st century.
That the remaining two were split between AZ and FC Twente demonstrates a policy of thrift and prudence with a dose of good old-fashioned hard work can go a long way, though both haven't been able to sustain it. In these lean years, which in fairness have seen an incredible UEFA Cup triumph (2002) and KNVB Beker success (2008), Feyenoord have gone through four chairmen's and 13 managerial changes, finishing third in the Eredivisie on three occasions. Two of those were under Ronald Koeman, whose leadership rejuvenated the whole organisation. Before his arrival it felt the club were heading down the road to nowhere, reaching their nadir in Eindhoven five years ago last Saturday, a humiliating 10-0 drubbing at the hands of PSV.
Learning under Koeman was the current incumbent – then assistant coach before remaining in the role under his immediate successor Fred Rutten – Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who began and ended his illustrious playing career at the Rotterdam giants. After the misstep of Rutten's tenure Feyenoord have followed a growing trend by promoting from within and laying down deep local roots, thus cultivating a distinctive set of values.
The latest man to be tasked with ending the drought, even though his managerial career is in its infancy, has made up for his inexperience as well as providing a platform to lead from. Gio, as he's affectionately known, retains that drive to succeed. Never one to let external forces determine what can and cannot be done, he is no doubt plotting to make the improbable happen.
His primary short-term objective is to make Feyenoord a challenge for their opponents and – given his defensive background – hard to score past, averaging one goal against per game, while ensuring they have the right attributes to mount a prolonged challenge. A rich association with the club, its DNA coursing through his veins, grants him goodwill from those with a vested interest: supporters, players and staff. But this remains a results business, and they've begun well, recording eight wins from their first ten games, only suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat away to defending champions PSV. It’s a run that has seen them draw level on points with leaders Ajax, currently only second due to goal difference.
A result of his upbringing, Van Bronkhorst's preferred formation is, unsurprisingly, 4-3-3, albeit utilising a flexible double pivot, with strong emphasis on transition play and rapid ball circulation (averaging 371 short passes per game). For this to be accomplished it's imperative Feyenoord's defence, midfield and forward lines play close to each other, which so far has been the case. One player whose fast becoming an integral component is Marko Vejinović who arrived from Vitesse this summer and has taken over the metronomic duties vacated by Jordy Clasie - reunited with Koeman at Southampton – averaging 47.5 passes per game.
Of course in football possession is not always nine-tenths of the law but with this degree of control – averaging 53.4% per game – their chances of avoiding defeat drastically improve. A mixture of regulars from last season, retaining some consistency, and smart purchases make up Van Bronkhorst’s predominant starting line-up. A well-balanced team, laced with individuals comfortable on the ball, who have no trouble generating chances and finding the back of the net (2.2 goals per game).
Rome wasn't built in a day. The long-term goal is to consistently display energy combined with subtlety and finesse. With that said things look promising. For one, the spine of Van Bronkhorst's team is as formidable as their rivals. At the heart is cult hero Dirk Kuyt, who this summer took his talents back to Rotterdam after nine years away. It’s a return that could prove to be the difference in a league where the level of experience he brings is a rarity.
During his first spell, owing to a strong sense of belief and sheer determination, he became Feyenoord's fulcrum – managing 83 goals in 122 appearances – and history could very well repeat itself. His speed of thought and footballing acumen, capable of playing in a number of positions, is matched by boundless energy and fierce commitment. It’s something Feyenoord supporters (Het Legioen) – who revere players that reflect the will-power and never-say-die attitude they display – greatly appreciate. Though not a Rotterdammer, born in Katwijk aan Zee, the man dubbed "Mr. Duracell" feels like one.
As demonstrated throughout his career he's a footballer continuously in motion switching between defence (already this season: 1 tackle and 0.8 interceptions per game) and offence (2.6 shots and 0.9 key passes per game) with minimal ease. Already with 10 goals to his name, subsequently topping the goalscoring charts, Kuyt subscribes to Happel's principle of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and sees his goals as nothing but a means to an end. "I've already won the Golden Boot," he told NOS over the weekend. Becoming champion, something that has eluded him in the Netherlands before, is his prime motivation.
That much will be music to Van Bronkhorst's ears having built his side to sidestep the trap of relying on a single man despite the fact Kuyt has scored just one goal fewer than rest of his teammates combined. He can nonetheless be pleased with the contributions of Feyenoord's other 'front six' players, especially summer signings centre forward Michiel Kramer (4 goals, 2 assists) and winger Eljero Elia (3 goals, 1 assist).
Now older and wiser, Kuyt’s mere presence has galvanised those around him – a young Feyenoord side whose average age is 24.3 – whilst shouldering the responsibilities as leader and focal point has invigorated him. "We are bursting with quality," he said after their recent 3-1 win over AZ in which he scored a hat-trick for a second successive weekend (taking his tally of Feyenoord goals to 95). "It's getting better and better. I believe in this team and we can achieve something special."
Normally it's too much to ask a team finishing fourth to become champions the following season, especially after undergoing a summer overhaul, but the Eredivisie has long been an abnormal league. Opinions casted during pre-season, many of which had them down to struggle, have slowly been reconsidered but such is the fickle nature of football all it takes is a few dodgy results in close proximity for those views to resurface. Consequently, the next few months will provide a litmus test of their Eredivisie title credentials. We have to wait and see whether or not Van Bronkhorst's men are indeed made of the right stuff.
Can Feyenoord maintain their strong start and mount a serious title challenge? Let us know in the comments below
