Vitesse Arnhem had their sights on European football but Rob Maas has took them in the opposite direction, and going by their currently free falling form, even a top 10 position looks unlikely.

  • By Amos Abuga
  • Follow Amos on Twitter

maas viteWhen former coach Peter Bosz left the side after the winter break, to assume a similar role at Maccabi Tel Aviv, the eagles were in fifth position and looking likely to climb into fourth, which was then held by Heracles who were better off by two points.

On the day Maas was appointed, albeit on interim basis, Vitesse were just 14 points off league leaders Ajax, a number that has more than doubled since, while also witnessing teams like FC Utrecht and Az Alkamaar  come from oblivion to overtake the Arnemalise, who languish in seventh position.

Under Bosz, Vitesse were averaging  1.46 points per game, under Maas the point average has nosedived to 0.88. The numbers are unarguably poor. Vitesse average before Maas arrived could currently see them in fourth at worse. Its fair to say had they performed at Maas level throughout the entire season, only the bottom two of De Graafschap and Cambuur could have been below them.

Sunday’s abject  2-2 draw with ADO Den Haag, for the umpteenth time acted as a wake up call that he  is not the right man for the job. The symbolic white handkerchiefs, screaming from the GelreDome was a statement that the fans have had enough of the current state of affairs at the club. The fans want Maas out of the city with the next available intercity train.

With PEC Zwolle, arch rivals NEC and even 10th placed Groningen looking in better shape than Vitesse with four games to go, one can only imagine how the table standings will look like at the end of the season. However, if Maas stays in charge a top seven finish and a route into Europe looks unlikely.




Amos Ondieki (24 Posts)

Amos is a Kenyan who is passionate with sports but has a bias for football. Currently doing his MBA course from the Greenwich and Saxion Universities. follow him on Twitter @AMOKC1oo1