Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 09:11• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 09:14

It seems that the poison cup has to be completely empty for Dirk Kuijt and ADO Den Haag. On Monday evening, a visit to Jong FC Utrecht (1-1) was again lost. Only one of the first seven league matches has been won. Despite this, Kuijt refuses to throw in the towel. The former attacker believes he can turn it around.

Already in the first half it turned out on Monday evening that Jong FC Utrecht was not inferior to ADO Den Haag. Even after the break, the home side had the upper hand. Daishawn Redan put a ball on the post, after which it was hit twenty minutes before the end, when substitute Derensili Sanches Fernandes managed to pass goalkeeper Hugo Wentges in the far corner. Just before time, ADO came alongside when a deflected shot from substitute Nigel Owusu fluttered in.

However, the new loss of points has not led to the loss of confidence at Kuijt. “I put my heart and soul into it and I’m willing to fight and work for the club, the players and the staff. I think we can do it. I won’t throw in the towel, I never have. I’m a fighter , I will always remain that,” said the trainer at ESPN. “I have confidence in myself. I believe in the fact that I can make the players and the group better. It’s not me, but if we want to do it, we have to do it together.”

Kuijt was asked whether a mentor was missing from his side. “I think I already have two experienced mentors next to me,” he said. “I am very satisfied with my staff. John Metgod and Chris van der Weerden, when people look at Wikipedia what they have in terms of experience as a football player and as an assistant… They assist me every day.” ADO has only five points left from the first seven league matches. The team is therefore in a disappointing sixteenth place. This Friday, the leader of the Kitchen Champion Division awaits with PEC Zwolle.

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