Ronald Waterreus has been ‘very annoyed’ by the decisions that the the Dutch technical staff has made in recent months regarding keepers. On the broadcast of Rondo says the former goalkeeper that the selection policy around the keepers has become ‘a bit of the circus Frans Hoek’. The goalkeeper coach demands a prominent role behind the scenes, but partly because of this, according to Waterreus, incomprehensible choices are made.
“I think it’s fantastic that you appoint a goalkeeper coach and give him a certain autonomy, I have nothing against that”, Waterreus makes clear in the talk show. “Frans Hoek has of course meant a lot to that field and he still does.” Yet he is not pleased with the choices made by Louis van Gaal and his goalkeeper coach. “Remko Pasveer had to be there first, because he was so good with his feet, but he was just Ajax’s reserve keeper when the selection was announced (on August 13, ed.). You couldn’t rely on Jasper Cillessen. And now Justin Bijlow saves us in the last minute, we must not suddenly forget Cillessen, because he is coming again?”
Waterreus refers to a comment that Van Gaal made after the 0-1 win over Latvia. Although Bijlow prevented a late equalizer with a good save, Van Gaal said there is still a ‘battle under the bar’ going on. “Jasper Cillessen is fit again, plays and has always performed well under my leadership. Do not discount him. And Mark Flek has presented himself well in recent days”, the national coach indicated. “Waterreus thinks it is a ‘very special comment’.” And as fantastic as I think Mark Flek’s story is, because I like players who reach the top via untrodden paths, he is now presented as a kind of new Edwin van der Sar or Gianluigi Buffon as ‘Van Gaal goalkeeper’.”
“And meanwhile, Joël Drommel, who has just been PSV’s first goalkeeper, is sitting alone in a stand in Latvia. Why do you select four keepers? No idea. To be a little interesting, I think. Yes, I’m very upset. annoyed,” continues the seven-time the Dutch international. In addition to Bijlow, Flek and Drommel, Tim Krul is also in the selection. “You just told Drommel that he is not coming this time. Then he could finally unpack his boxes in Eindhoven and take a week off. The boys have played enough matches. I think it is now a bit of a puppet show.”
Waterreus is positive about Bijlow’s development. “Bijlow has played four international matches and played four times as if he has been there for a hundred years.” According to Ronald de Boer, the fact that Van Gaal started talking about Cillessen afterwards may be because the national coach had said a few days before that no one has a permanent place under him. “But I also think he should not say anything. Bijlow saves us, has done a fantastic job and, if he stays fit, can wear the shirt of the Dutch national team for another fifteen years. So give him the confidence.”
Waterreus agrees and addresses De Boer, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. “All three of you have played at a high level. Then isn’t it nice if you have the same keeper every week, who you can rely on?” However, by selecting and glorifying Fleks, the the Dutch technical staff continues to give the impression that the team does not yet have a permanent number one. “That’s why I call it the circus Frans Hoek. He suddenly comes up with such a name, although I know that Patrick Lodewijks (between 2018 and 2021 goalkeeper trainer of the Dutch, ed.) has also dropped his name. It’s their discovery and they want to claim it.”