Marcel Brands discussed the departure of director of football affairs John de Jong from PSV at a specially inserted press conference. The general manager indicates that De Jong no longer wanted to remain as technical director due to a lack of confidence from the supervisory board. The general manager also says that Frank Arnesen is not an option as a successor.
Since the rumors about De Jong’s departure from PSV as director of football affairs, Arnesen was mentioned as a possible successor. According to Brands, the 65-year-old Dane is not an option. “There is no question of that. We are going to look for a new solution, but everything is still fresh. Frank Arnesen? He’s not in the picture. I would like to lower the average age in management. That management is in charge at PSV. We absolutely do not feel that the supervisory board is very short. I do think that after this period we will sit down with the supervisory board”, says Brands.
The general manager is deeply disappointed that De Jong has left PSV due to a lack of confidence from the supervisory board. “I would have left myself if I had been John, I’m honest about that. This certainly does not deserve the beauty prize. We don’t have a good feeling about this either, that should be clear. Only the goal of PSV is sacred. I did not come back to PSV for this and I am happy with my colleagues. There are no winners in this whole story.”
PSV supporters’ association
The PSV supporters’ association has also responded to the departure of football affairs director De Jong. There are particular concerns about performance in recent years and also in the early season. “Was John de Jong’s position really no longer tenable? Has there been enough fair play, respect, logic, club love? Why now?” the supporters association wonders aloud.
“We, as supporters the most stable factor of the club, sit there and watch it. This kind of stuff doesn’t really suit our club. We are especially very concerned, just like the Supervisory Board and the Management Board are undoubtedly also,” the statement continues. ‘About the performances on the field in recent years and again in this early season. About the gap with the competitor. About the finances. About what this governance crisis, as it is already being called in the media, will bring about. Tomorrow and in the near future. We are concerned about our club.”