Andries Jonker is working towards his last tournament with the Dutch Lionesses. The head coach’s contract runs out after the EURO 2025 but won’t be extended. Some say he lost the dressing room because of giving certain players a special treatment while others say it’s time for a change.
The Dutch FA thinks it’s time for a change
Nigel de Jong, director of top football, thanked Andries Jonker for his efforts over the past 2.5 years. In this time Jonker improved the environment, building on Sarina Wiegman’s success. De Jong said they are confident that the European Championship will be a “beautiful and successful conclusion” of Jonker’s time with the team.
The head coach was in charge for 33 matches, 19 were won, 10 were lost and 4 ended in a draw. The team made it to the quarterfinals during the World Cup 2023 but failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. There has been little success for the team since they won the EURO 2017 and won silver at the World Cup 20219. That is something that the Dutch FA wants to change.
Andries Jonker lost the dressing room
One of the reasons for not extending his contract would be the discontent of the players. The head coach is holding on to some of the older players while many think he should look to the younger talents.
Steven Kooijman, De Telegraaf, said Jonker “placed Vivianne Miedema and Sherida Spitse above the law”. Kooijman wonders how the head coach will handle that situation while working towards the Euros in Switzerland.
Who will be the next Dutch head coach?
A few names have come up since the news broke about Andries Jonker. The first was Renée Slegers but she just signed a 1.5-year deal with Arsenal, and it does not seem like the right time for her as she just accomplished something amazing with The Gunners. Next was Joran Pot who announced his departure from FC Twente, but he expressed his wish to make the step to men’s football.
Cousiño Arias from ESPN also named Slegers but looked at Arjan Veurink as well. Veurink is the assistant-trainer with England and Sarina Wiegman. He was also FC Twente head coach between 2012 and 2016. In those years he won the domestic title four times, the BeNe League twice and the KNVB Cup.
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