PSV coach Peter Bosz looked back at the last European Championship with mixed feelings. While Jerdy Schouten was an indispensable part of the starting line-up, this did not apply to Joey Veerman. The latter was already taken off before half-time against Austria. Bosz spoke to ESPN about a 'terrible experience', but also praises the comeback of his pupil and the choice of national coach Ronald Koeman to give Veerman new opportunities.

“Jerdy did a great job,” says Bosz. “Became a regular and perhaps the best player of the Dutch national team.” Veerman played a less convincing tournament than his PSV companion. “Joey started very well against Poland. I thought he was far too critical of his own performance after that match, because I thought he played well.” Veerman was taken off after an hour in the opening match.

In the final group match against Austria, Veerman was given a starting spot by Koeman. It went disastrously. Veerman lost the ball a lot and was taken off by Koeman in the first half. “Of course, he has that terrible experience behind him against Austria,” says Bosz. “He was quickly substituted, but ten others could have been substituted. Of course, that didn't happen.”

“That's not good for a player. On the other hand: you hope to never experience it as a player, but I think he will also come out of this stronger. Especially because Ronald gave him the chance to come on again immediately afterwards and come on again. He did that well,” Bosz compliments Koeman.

In all the knockout matches that Oranje played, against Romania, Turkey and England, Veerman played as a substitute. Against England he even played for almost an hour, when he replaced Memphis Depay, who had been injured before half-time.

Bosz thought Schouten was the best Dutch player at the European Championship and made a very strong impression at PSV last season. Bosz does not fear an early departure of the controller. “No, he has only been here for one year and still has a contract here (until mid-2028, ed.). How Schouten himself views a possible transfer is still unclear. “I have not spoken to him about that yet.”

In the round of 16, the Netherlands managed to beat Romania (3-0), after which Turkey was also pushed aside in the quarter-finals (2-1). In the semi-final against England, the Netherlands seemed to be heading for extra time, until Ollie Watkins shot the Netherlands' European Championship dream to pieces just before the end.

More sports news