A big challenge awaits FC Twente next summer. Technical director Arnold Bruggink will be given the task of strengthening the selection, while he must retain various trendsetters within the current selection for the club. In any case, trainer Joseph Oosting is not worried.

“Last summer was also a challenge, when artists left. Cerny, Misidjan, Zerrouki. We also lost important boys like Pleguezuelo and Brama,” says the coach opposite Football International.

Oosting points out that Manfred Ugalde and Joshua Brenet have also left this season. “But we were able to absorb it all. And now we are busy with a view to next season, what needs to be done. We are a top five club, we are third, and next year we will have European football. That will be very interesting again. It's all development. The club is well on its way.”

Oosting is then asked whether he will be reunited with Wout Weghorst this season. The 31-year-old striker is currently rented out by Burnley to TSG Hoffenheim and previously experienced Oosting as an assistant coach at FC Emmen.

“Wout is a player who comes from the region, who has made his mark internationally. And who still does that, at Hoffenheim,” says the Twente trainer. “If such a player wants to come and play football with us, then I don't think we are the club to say: we are not going to do that.”

Oosting states that Weghorst is 'very welcome' at Twente. “I would certainly welcome his arrival, but there are more parties involved. I know Wout well, I know where he comes from. As a player for Heracles, he was faced with a choice: go to AZ or go to a foreign club. Then I gave him advice. That a young player must always choose his development, for a club that suits him. AZ, so.”

The 52-year-old coach has always kept in touch with Weghorst after the joint period at Emmen. “You don't just do that when things are going well, but also at other times. I hope we can work together again. We will see if that will happen,” says Oosting.

Want to always stay informed of the most important football news? Join the Voetbalzone WhatsApp channel now!

More sports news