Van Bommel makes an urgent appeal to his wife, son and daughter after the title


Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 9:30 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 21:31

Mark van Bommel became champion on Sunday evening with Royal Antwerp FC. After a blistering denouement, Toby Alderweireld made the verdict in minute 94 with a brilliant bang in the cross. Antwerp therefore played a 2-2 draw at KRC Genk and that was enough for the first title in 66 years due to Club Brugge’s 1-3 victory at Union Sint-Gillis. Ziggo Sport asked Van Bommel for a first reaction immediately afterwards.

“This is unbelievable,” said the former PSV coach. “After Genk’s 2-1, we converted it the way we trained and that’s how we got a grip on the game again. If that ball flies in like that… If you see what happened at the club last week, in “The city and in the stadium. I really had a hard time with it. As a trainer you have to set an example, but that was not possible. The players were completely through it. And I had not fully processed it myself. “

The plan that Van Bommel had devised came true. He placed Alderweireld and Vincent Janssen at the point of the attack and placed two midfielders under and next to it. “That gave us grip, with long balls. If he falls like that…”, says Van Bommel. Alderweireld eventually got the ball deep in stoppage time, after which he lashed out devastatingly in the left cross. It turned out to be enough for the national championship.

Van Bommel does not call this his big breakthrough as a trainer. “A breakthrough does not have to be that you win prizes, but you will be judged on that. It also has to do with the players. How do they treat you and how do you work. The trainer is just as good as the players and I have a good group,” said Van Bommel, who also addressed the home front. “I have to say something to my wife, my eldest son and my daughter. They are at home at the moment, they have not come to the stadium. Come to Antwerp very quickly.”