The remarkable turnaround at Vitesse is captivating Dutch football. Just six months ago, the club scrambled to assemble a squad, facing widespread skepticism. Now, they are contenders for promotion to the Eredivisie through the playoffs.
A victory against Jong FC Utrecht on Monday evening would place Vitesse at the top of the fourth period standings. The second and third positions would likely be occupied by teams not competing for the playoff spot, as Willem II and ADO Den Haag have already secured their positions.
Investing in Youth
Vitesse’s success under German coach Rüdiger Rehm is a source of pride for club figure Theo Janssen.
“It has reach together, after an abnormal preparation, it still succeeded. We had only about seven players left for the season. It’s bizarre that you are still competing for the playoffs.”
The “abnormal preparation” began in earnest on September 3rd, when other clubs in the first division had already been in training for three weeks. On that day, Vitesse learned from the court that the club was allowed to start the season, albeit with a significant point deduction.
Janssen was involved in the composition of the squad at the time. “Rehm has subsequently created a team that delivers a lot of fight. And the game plan is simply very clear.”
A Cloud of Uncertainty
This long-term vision is hopeful, but still a pressing necessity. Vitesse’s financial problems are still not definitively a thing of the past.
The KNVB has not yet approved the takeover by a group of regional investors, the ‘Sterkhouders’. The football association requires the Arnhem club to demonstrate that continuity is guaranteed, which is currently not possible.
the KNVB appealed to the court last year against the ruling allowing Vitesse to rejoin professional football. If the Supreme Court rules negatively for Vitesse, a judge must reconsider whether the federation was justified in withdrawing Vitesse’s license.
The Supreme Court states that We see not yet clear when a ruling can be expected. The Attorney General is now preparing an opinion, known as the conclusion.
In the meantime, no one in Arnhem really knows where they stand. To the frustration of the fans, who held up red cards en masse during a cheerful football afternoon against Jong Ajax (6-1 victory). “Risen and resurrected from the dead, approval takes too long, Zeist gets red from us!” could be read on banners.
The time when one can really cheerfully go to the Gelredome is still far away. Even if Vitesse performs a small miracle in the coming weeks by taking a step towards the Eredivisie.
