The search for a new national coach is in full swing. Since Paul van Ass announced his departure last week, the most important spot in the dugout for the Oranje Dames is vacant. Who is suitable for this golden position? We discussed it with Oranje experts Kim Lammers, Marc Lammers and Marloes Keetels.
‘Finding a successor is not that difficult. He is walking around in Belgium. Raoul Ehren has not signed a new contract there yet, I believe. I don’t think you can find a more suitable candidate.’
Marc Lammers is clearly on the other end of the phone. According to him, his former teammate from Den Bosch fits in perfectly. ‘The Dutch women are of course at the top. You have to have proven yourself somewhere else. Have had a stepping stone. Have gained international experience somewhere’, he says. Before Lammers himself was in charge of the Orange Women – he was national coach of the team for eight years, which became world champion in 2006 and won Olympic gold in 2008 – he was first at the helm of the Spanish selection. ‘You are only ready for it after some international experience, in my opinion. Moreover, Raoul is technically and tactically very strong.’
Marc Lammers coached the Dutch Women’s Team for eight years in the past.
Is Raoul Ehren done with his adventure in Belgium?
Kim Lammers agrees with her old coach Marc. ‘If I were Belgium, I would quickly make sure that Raoul Ehren signs a new contract’, says the former international, who became Olympic champion with the Netherlands (2012) and won two World Cup titles (2006 and 2014). ‘He has created something beautiful there. I see him as the most suitable candidate, but I do wonder whether he is completely finished with his adventure. If I had to point someone out now, I would go for him. I admire what he does.’
Lammers lists some other candidates. She starts talking about Janneke Schopman, Jesse Mahieu and Marieke Dijkstra. One thing is certain for her: the hockey association must choose a Dutchman. Someone with their own culture and communication.
If I were Belgium, I would make sure that Raoul Ehren signs very quickly. I see him as the most suitable candidate, but I do wonder if he is completely done with his adventure. Kim Lammers
‘Janneke Schopman is available, but I can see her appearing somewhere abroad. She has gained a lot of experience in recent years with India and the US and can therefore bring other things. She has been involved in coaching for so long’, she says about her former Oranje teammate. ‘Jesse Mahieu is doing well with Pinoké and with Jong Oranje. But I don’t know if I can really see him in a women’s team’, she thinks out loud. ‘Marieke Dijkstra does have some international experience and is a really good coach. I would also like it if it were a woman. It would be a blow for Den Bosch.’
Kim Lammers. Photo: Koen Suyk
The coach of the Dutch national team must be strong
Former international Marloes Keetels – who retired from the Dutch national team after the 2022 World Cup – doesn’t dare to name names, but starts with a profile. ‘The group is quite experienced. You really need someone who is strong in his or her shoes. You have to be able to command respect, because in the end you are the coach of the group’, says the Olympic gold medalist from the Tokyo Games.
‘I think it would be an advantage if it was someone who came from women’s club hockey. Someone who has a bit more insight into what’s going on’, she says. ‘But a fresh perspective wouldn’t hurt either. It’s nice that someone comes for at least four years. So that you can develop your own style. You really need that period for that. The coach has to make sure that the players can find each other blindly again. That one plus one will soon become three again.’
Kim Lammers also ventures a sketch. ‘I find it difficult to say what is needed’, she says. ‘A Jeroen Delmée type. I am a huge fan of his. He is clear, honest, knows the culture and is a real expert. He is good with the press and strong with his communication. I think it is great what he has achieved with the men. I think that is what the women need too. A kind of second Jeroen.’
‘Being an assistant doesn’t fit into my life right now’
Kim Lammers was an assistant for the women’s team of Amsterdam for two seasons in the past. But if she is asked for that role now, she will pass. ‘I am not suited to be a head coach anyway and being an assistant does not fit into my working life now. I have to give up too much for that’, she says. ‘My life has been all about hockey for decades. It has cost me a lot to build a social career. But never say never. Who knows, maybe someday in the future. I think it would be fantastic to have a share in Dutch women’s hockey.’
The group is quite experienced. You really need someone who is strong in his or her shoes. You have to be able to command respect, because in the end you are the coach of the group. Marloes Keetels
‘It’s nice when you can talk to a coach, but that the person is above the group’, Keetels continues. ‘A coach will not be the right choice for every player. That is not possible. That is why it is important that there are also different types in the staff. So that everyone has someone who you can connect with.’
Marloes Keetels during the 2022 World Cup. Photo: Willem Vernes
‘As a national coach you are more of a manager’
Marc Lammers also believes that communication is one of the most important qualities for Paul van Ass’ successor. ‘As a national coach, you have so many different specialists around you. You have trainers for that. For strength, effort, physiotherapy, the corner. And you have to be on the same page with everyone. As a national coach, you are more of a manager’, he says. ‘It also has to be a modern coach. Who makes players the owners of the strategy. It was more difficult to find someone during the previous period, but now we have really good choices.’
Lammers also starts talking about the staff of the Oranje Heren. ‘The team is ready for someone like Delmée. With mentality first. And wanting to continuously improve. That is also necessary. The competition is also getting better. So Oranje must also get better again.’
But what if it doesn’t work out for Ehren? Who does he see as his successor? ‘Janneke Schopman is a second candidate for me. She’s just a bit further away from Dutch hockey’, says Lammers, while he thinks of a solution: ‘Maybe Janneke can go to Belgium. She can gain some experience there. That would be perfect.’
by Hockey.nl
