Arjen Robben will be the head coach of Be Quick Under 14, the team in which son Luka plays, from January. It means the first trainer job for the 96-time the Dutch international, who finally put an end to his career last summer. Johan Vreeken, chairman of Be Quick, tells RTV North that the Groningen amateur club actually did not want to publicize Robben’s appointment.
Robben himself said last week that he would become his son’s trainer. “Then it quickly becomes clear that it is about Be Quick,” Vreeken says. Both Robben’s sons play at Be Quick, but he will work as a trainer for his oldest son’s team. Benjamin Sietsma, technical manager at Be Quick, tells EYE TV that Robben already occasionally gave training at the Groningen amateur club.
“He had previously given training courses for us at the lower level. He also occasionally trained the Under 14. Because the trainer is moving from the Under 14 to the Under 15, Robben will be the head coach of the Under 14 from January,” explains Sietsma. Robben will also be responsible for Be Quick Under 14 together with another trainer. “Be Quick has a world star in Robben. Our trainers are all certified, but Robben has played almost a hundred international matches.”
“He brings things that our trainers cannot bring. He has a lot of practical experience at a high level and not only the players, but also the trainers can learn a lot from that. Both on and off the field,” says Sietsma. Chairman Vreeken is also extremely pleased with Robben’s arrival. “Of course everyone looks up to him. I don’t know him well, but he is a real lover and above all just a father. He does not walk next to his shoes at all, is normal and if he does not have a function, he is also just looking behind the fence.”
“It is not someone with star allures, but just a lover of the game. It is of course great for the children that they will soon receive training from one of the best football players in the world,” says Vreeken. According to the chairman of Be Quick, Robben has waived his volunteer fee, which is normally 150 euros for youth trainers. “I think he has renounced that.”