Ronald Koeman may not be the only one leaving Feyenoord this summer, as the club faces a summer with no coach and several high profile departures. What next for the Rotterdam giants?
- By Michael Bell
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Since taking over from Mario Been in 2011, Koeman has overseen a revival at Feyenoord, taking the club from mid-table obscurity to their rightful place of title challengers, and consecutive 2nd, and 3rd place finishes followed.
A departure was always expected with Koeman looking for another adventure abroad, but Feyenoord have to pick the right man to replace the 50-year old. The new coach, whether it be Co Adriaanse, Peter Bosz, or someone else, will be given the task of not only maintaining the club as title challengers, but also to overhaul the sides squad, which is set to be hit by several departures.
Captain Graziano Pelle is set to lead the exodus at De Kuip, as the Italian striker looks to move abroad after two goal filled seasons (43 in 48 games) in the Eredivisie. Defenders Bruno Martins Indi, Daryl Janmaat, and Stefan de Vrij are the targets of several European clubs, and will use the World Cup as a shop window to leave Rotterdam, with the likes of Everton, Arsenal, AC Milan, and Juventus ready to pounce.
Midfield enforcer Jordy Clasie has remained at Feyenoord despite several transfer windows of rumours, and the summer seems like the right time for the fans favourite to leave, while the club had to reject a bid for Lex Immers in January as interest grows.
The clubs top two talents Tonny Vilhena, and Jean Paul Boetius both still have a lot to learn in the Eredivisie, but can Feyenoord prevent their heads from being turned by the likes of Juventus, Chelsea, and Arsenal, who have all been linked to the future Netherlands stars?
While Feyenoord director Martin van Geel has been clever to tie down Feyenoords star players to long contracts, with any interested bidders likely to pay between €7-15 million if they are to steal them away from De Kuip, uncertainty over the clubs finances means the new coach is unlikely to have a war chest of millions to rebuild the squad.
Feyenoord nearly went bankrupt in 2010, but last season the club cut its outgoings, and announced a profit of €2 million for the 2012/13 season, with early signs showing that the club will once again be in the black this year. However the club is not free of debt, and is still struggling to pay off the €6 million they reportedly owe.
The plans for a new stadium are also ongoing, and finances will be needed to kick-start the project, with the club yet to buy a plot of land to start building the arena, which could cost €300 million. Fans are eagerly trying to stop the new stadium, and are in favour of a renovation of De Kuip, adding another tier, which would only cost around €117 million.
It is likely any new coach that comes in will have to rely mostly on free transfers, and dip into the Varkenoord academy, which has produced a number of fine talents over the years. The likes of Wessel Dammers, Rodney Cabral, and Rick Karsdrop have all impressed for Feyenoords youth sides, but it will remain to be seen whether they are ready to step up into the first team next season.
Feyenoord are currently in the race for the Eredivisie title, and will be hoping for at least 2nd place, which could lead to the opportunity of a money spinning Champions League campaign. The extra funds which would come from reaching the group stages of the Champions League for the first time since the 2001/02 season could go a long way in rebuilding the current Feyenoord squad.
However should they fail this season, a summer of loss and uncertainty may follow at De Kuip. All eyes will be on director Martin van Geel this summer, as the man in charge of Feyenoord makes the decisions which will shape the clubs future.
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