Kevin Hofland becomes new trainer Willem II | Football

sport">For a long time it looked as if Zeljko Petrovic would return. However, the 55-year-old Montenegrin is going to work at a club in Qatar and could not get out of those agreements. The fact that Willem II offered him a contract for a season and a half did not change that.

sport">General director Martin van Geel, who has taken over the technical affairs portfolio from Joris Mathijsen who has been put on hold, has already approached a few other trainers. Among them was John van den Brom, who thanked him for the honour. Petrovic said Monday morning that he could not free himself. Willem II was already negotiating with Hofland at that time and reached an agreement on Sunday evening.

Job application

sport">Hofland had informed Willem II through an application that he was willing to take on the position of trainer. “It was a good conversation,” said Hofland. “There has been no discussion about the duration of a possible contract. The main goal is to try to keep the club in the Eredivisie for the next eight matches. I have indicated that I would like to put my shoulders to the wheel. We only talked about that. The duration of a contract is not so important. Willem II was supposed to call me on Monday. I am waiting for that.”

sport">As a trainer, he had an unfortunate start. He was already sitting on the couch with Fortuna Sittard while he did not yet have the required papers. The Limburg club moved Sjors Ultee forward for that reason. Hofland was fired in November 2020, according to official statements, due to disappointing results. He had a different explanation about it. According to Hofland, he had to leave owner Istitan Gün because he refused to field a player. From that moment on, Ultee has been the head coach at Fortuna.

sport">Hofland now has all the required papers. The former PSV youth coach accompanied Mark van Bommel to VfL Wolfsburg as an assistant. He was fired there in the fall. He stated on that occasion that he wanted to remain a trainer and that he was open to everything. That will now be the difficult mission to keep Willem II in the Eredivisie.

sport">Hofland, born in Brunssum, played football for Fortuna Sittard, PSV, VfL Wolfsburg, Feyenoord and AEK Larnarca. He came to seven international matches. Hofland won six, including a 1-2 win against Spain. Only in Ireland did the Orange lose with Hofland in the defense.

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