Frank Arnesen cannot work at Feyenoord with a budget of millions. Nevertheless, the technical director managed to bring four players to De Kuip during the winter break: Jorrit Hendrix, Cole Bassett, Philippe Sandler and Patrik Wälemark. Arnesen explains in an interview with the NOS how he managed, for example, to bring Wälemark from Sweden to Feyenoord in the meantime. The interest only became concrete after Joey Veerman had definitively opted for PSV.
Arnesen acknowledges that Veerman was at the top of the wish list and that Wälemark only came into the picture later in Rotterdam. “Initially we wanted Joey Veerman,” said the Danish driver. “And we failed to do that, that was a bit too much money. That is of course disappointing, but he has opted for PSV. That is his right. Then we sat down like: ‘Do we want someone for this position (midfielder, ed.), or do we want something else?’ From the summer, when Steven Berghuis left, we looked for a left-footed attacker. Well, and Patrik was on our list. And then we looked to see if it was possible.”
“We couldn’t wait because we thought: If we wait until summer, it will be too expensive for us“, continues Arnesen. “So we struck thanks to the people on the supervisory board, who helped us very well.” The Feyenoord director admits that external financiers ensured the arrival of Wälemark. “Yes, you could do that. can say.” According to Arnesen, the supervisory board is also included in the purchasing process. “Of course, always. But you should always do that. If it concerns a certain amount, we always have to ask the supervisory board for permission.”
Arnesen is satisfied with the current situation at Feyenoord, but he is punctual with regard to the General Newspaper also a downside. “The biggest weakness of this Feyenoord is that we have too many rental players. A club like Feyenoord should actually have at most one, because you generate money for other clubs. But yes, we had to if we wanted to get results,” he refers to the transfer activities of this winter break. Arnesen hopes that the purchases will flourish under Arne Slot, who he is not afraid of that the collaboration will end in the short term.
“Arne will still be under contract with us next season and there is an option for one extra season from our side. Arne is doing a really great job here. There is now so much overview and so much peace within the club. That is nice for all of us.” to work.” If Slot does leave, Arnesen will certainly consider internal options as a successor. “That would be ideal. But often these are trainers who are still inexperienced and I think that is actually too dangerous for a big club like Feyenoord.” For the time being, there is plenty of satisfaction with the work that Slot delivers. “His arrival at Feyenoord, I think that has really been a scoop.”