Dick Advocaat commits future to Feyenoord
Dick Advocaat will continue in his role as Feyenoord’s head coach next season. The two parties have reached agreement on a one-year contract extension. It means the 72-year-old has committed to remain at the club until the summer of 2021.
The agreement means that Advocaat, who took his first coaching job at DSVP in Pijnacker back in 1981, will reach his 40-year milestone in coaching while at Feyenoord. Before taking the reins in Rotterdam South, Advocaat held the head coach’s position at a host of clubs, including PSV, Glasgow Rangers and Zenit St. Petersburg. He also performed head coaching duties for several national teams, not least the Netherlands, South Korea and Russia.
‘At this time it feels strange, of course, but all told good, too, to extend my contract at this fabulous club,’ said Advocaat. ‘Particularly over the last few crazy weeks I have realised how passionate I still am and how huge my desire is to continue as trainer/coach. We were building something great together here at Feyenoord when everything ground to a halt, something really started to gel together in the team. I, the staff and squad, want to finish that. The club also wants that, so that’s what we’re targeting, in spite of the many uncertainties at the moment.’
Technical director Frank Arnesen expressed his delight that the working relationship with the highly experienced coach can continue. ‘It’s obviously fantastic that we have been able to tie Dick down for another season. Under his leadership we have found the way upwards in the course of the season and we have also reached the final of the KNVB Cup. Under Dick’s leadership we were really on a fantastic run that has unfortunately been temporarily interrupted by the coronavirus measures. It’s unclear when we will be able to play football again, but when the time comes you have to be ready as a club. And to my mind that starts with tying down a very good coach.’
Dick Advocaat will continue to work with assistants Said Bakkati, Cor Pot and John de Wolf next season. John de Wolf’s contact was recently extended until mid 2022.