Latest news with #SheridaSpitse
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What comes next for Wales after Euro 2025?
Wales, who were competing in a first major tournament, have played less international matches than Netherlands international Sherida Spitse [Getty Images] For Wales women's football, the big question will now be, what comes next? Wales' Euro 2025 adventure is over, but the hope is that it can have a transformative effect. Underfunded and definitely underappreciated, the entire sport has been playing catch up for over 30 years, but now it feels like a moment of seismic possibility. Advertisement Banned for 50 years, the refusal of the Football Association of Wales to sanction the women's side meant another 20 years in the doldrums until the first 'official game' was played in 1993. The attempts to catch-up continue. Wales' time in Switzerland in their first major tournament ended with a disappointing defeat to England, but the legacy of the achievement in simply qualifying for a major finals is tantalising. "Being here for the first time and putting Wales on the biggest stage is a win for us," captain Angharad James said. "Before we kicked a football, before we stepped off the plane, we spoke as a group and said we already won regardless of what happens." Advertisement The fans: Wales win hearts in Switzerland, can they capitalise? Wales' men qualifying for Euro 2016, their first major finals in 58-years, has transformed the way football has been viewed in Wales ever since. Once undisputedly a rugby country, Wales' men's side are more than used to seeing 'sold out' signs at the Cardiff City Stadium and it is now more of a talking point when Wales don't qualify for a major finals than when they do. The fervour of that support has not, however, translated to the women's side, until now. Wales sold more tickets than two of their Euro 2025 group D opponents, Netherlands and France, with the Red Wall showing a commitment to Rhian Wilkinson's side that has previously been missing. Advertisement Many supporters in Switzerland have attended their first women's football matches and the hope is that the visibility of the tournament will add interest in the women's game, with boss Rhian Wilkinson previously expressing disappointment that supporters prioritise watching the men's side. The Welsh support in Switzerland has caught people's attention, both inside and outside of the Wales camp. "The fans have been loving it, they have been superb this whole journey, they have been our 12th person," captain Angharad James reflected. "The fans have given us so many special moments with the noise they have created, there have been times when all we've seen and heard is that Red Wall, just a sea of red. Advertisement "Wales have been by far the best crowd that I've seen out in this Euros." Wales' cap centurion Sophie Ingle revealed that after Wales defeat by the Netherlands, her former Chelsea teammate, Wieke Kaptein, messaged her to say how moving she found the rendition of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau. Wales will now hope that support will translate to bigger crowds for home matches, with Wales' record attendance still not having even reached the 20,000 mark. "Hopefully that's what it's going to do in so many ways," former Wales defender Danny Gabbidon said. "The game is growing. Football now is the most popular sport that girls are playing in Wales. Advertisement "That process has started, but it needs to continue. This is just the start for this team." The players: Improved depth - but the end for Fishlock? In a quite literal sense, Welsh women's football is 20 years behind the likes of England, having never played a sanctioned international until 1993 and the journey to being serious about women's football has been painfully slow. It was only 20 years ago that the team almost ceased to exist again, with the side pulled out of Euro qualifying as it was cheaper to pay the fine for withdrawing than funding a qualifying campaign. Things are vastly different now, with the women's team receiving equal pay to their male counterparts and sharing the same state-of-the-art training facilities, but it is still a period of transition in terms of Wales building the depth they need to regularly compete at major finals. Advertisement Several lynchpins of the Wales side from the past decade have retired, including cap centurions Helen Ward, Loren Dykes and Natasha Harding – with striker Kayleigh Barton possibly the next to call time on her Wales career - though an increased focus on adding to their playing pool has seen the likes of Ceri Holland, Lois Joel and Hannah Cain switch their international allegiance from England to Wales. Vastly improved funding at grassroots level should help with the talent pool in the future, but in the short-term Wales are going to have to start planning for life without their greatest ever player, Jess Fishlock. Now 38, Euro 2025 has demonstrated that Fishlock is no longer able to influence games in quite the same way and it seems inevitable that her international retirement will be coming sooner rather than later. "Her career spans the whole of Welsh history on the women's side," manager Rhian Wilkinson said about a player who has incredibly played in 67% of Wales' matches since 1993, despite only making her debut in 2006. Advertisement Wales' second highest goalscorer behind Fishlock, Helen Ward, says replacing Fishlock will be every bit as hard as the men have found filling the void left by Gareth Bale. "It is virtually impossible to replace Jess," she explained. "I think it is going to be like – and I don't like to compare – replacing Gareth Bale. "There is a fear of what Wales will be like without Jess Fishlock. She's a generational, once-in-a-lifetime player. We have been lucky to have her as long as we have." How can Wales improve and become more competitive? Football is now the largest participation sport among girls in Wales, with record investment and a 45% rise in the number of girls playing. Advertisement Vastly improved funding from the FAW should certainly improve the level of young talent coming through, but in the short-term, Wales have an issue with how few of their current players are playing regularly. For the first time Wales have a fully professional squad, but they are still lacking in players who regularly play club football at the top level, with several of Wales' Women's Super League players unable to command regular first team football. For example, none of Wales' Euro 2025 goalkeepers are currently playing regularly, despite being at Leicester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa Wales boss Wilkinson says that issue is her current number one priority to address. Advertisement "My players have to be playing," she said. "I had five players out of contract here at the Euros. It's mind-blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all of our games, plays and she doesn't have a club. It drives me wild. "I look at some of my players and it does frustrate me. So I've got to try and find them opportunities abroad. "Maybe I have to send them to North America, which is a tough challenge. But they have to be playing, firstly. That's the basic. "Same with my goalkeepers. My goalkeepers don't start for their clubs. So the next stage is how do I get them in an environment where they are getting that game time? Advertisement "I've told their agents that, excuse me, I need them playing. Just like any international coach, you just want your players playing." Wilkinson feels the lack of regular club football gives Wales a physical disadvantage when they face top sides like France and England. "They're international players, so what is it that we're doing with Wales to help support their sports scientists? Because they have to be ready," she added. "How do we work with them to continue to push on their physical standards? Because I'll be honest, we don't have enough of my players right now who are hitting the top-level benchmark." Wales' first major tournament is in the books, but their bid to become a nation that continues to rise through the ranks of women's football is only just beginning.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'One of a kind' - Meet Europe's most-capped player
When the Netherlands face England in Zurich on Wednesday it will be a poignant moment for their veteran captain Sherida Spitse, regardless of the part she 35-year-old made her 241st appearance for the Oranje Leeuwinnen in April, becoming the most-capped footballer in Europe in the process. Curiously, the very first of those record-breaking outings came against England when Spitse was just her fifth European Championship, BBC Sport spoke to some of the coaches and players who have been part of her long shone through was not just their appreciation for the iconic Dutch midfielder's professionalism, leadership and technical ability, but Spitse's fun-loving nature."Sherida is one of a kind," says the Netherlands head coach Andries Jonker. "She has this outstanding skill of passing and shooting, of being a captain, and I don't know any player who has it in this way."She likes to laugh, to make fun, but on the other hand is also emotional, open, wears her heart on her sleeve, says what she feels or sees. Not the best player in the world, but she is a really special player." Best of a team of all boys Spitse was already a youth player for the Netherlands when she caught the attention of the senior set-up in 2006. Her performance alongside the boys of her hometown club VV Sneek convinced then national head coach Vera Pauw to fast-track the teenager."She was playing with the under-17s and I saw her and thought she is so stable and is playing in such a mature way that I want to see her at her club," recalled Pauw, who has also coached Scotland and the Republic of Ireland."So, with my husband, I went to Sneek, met her parents and I was looking - can she handle the higher level? But she was a playmaker and the best of a team with all boys, so I invited her for a training camp straight after."Spitse's elevation came as little surprise to anyone at VV Sneek. Team manager Martin van Klaveren remembers that even before she joined the club aged six, she could be seen kicking a ball around the neighbourhood."She was always with a ball under her arm, going in the field and practising by herself," he said. "Even as a little girl you could see she had a lot of talent."When she was old enough to join our club she played with all the guys and was equal to them. She had a very good shot and free-kick. At 12 she was captain because she stood out, the boys were full of respect for her."These days, VV Sneek runs an annual tournament in Spitse's name. "There are lots of girls who have started to play because of Sherida," added Van Klaveren. "We are proud of her. She talks to everyone, is very open, she is still the same." She had 'everything to become a legend' FC Utrecht youth head coach Sylvia Smit was 20, an international of two years' standing, when Spitse first joined the senior team. By 2012, the pair marked Smit's 100th cap for the Netherlands with a goal apiece against recalled Spitse's love of games, particularly poker, and the "fun" she brought to the squad as well as a determination to "give her all" on the pitch."Sherida was always cheerful and she radiated that," reflected the 38-year-old, who won 106 caps in her nine-year international career. "Her technical skills were already very good; she had a fantastic right foot shot and was the best at free-kicks."Already confident of the youngster's technical ability, Pauw's main concern was how she would cope in an adult environment. But after seeing her "emotional stability" and "lightness around the group" the coach delivered a message that has helped keep Spitse grounded."I said to her we are going to be very careful with you because you have everything to become a legend in women's football in the future, but your book is empty so you need to write it, you're not there yet," revealed months after her 16th birthday, Spitse made her first entry in that "book", playing 55 minutes of a World Cup qualifier against England at The Valley. The Netherlands lost 4-0 at Charlton Athletic's ground, Kelly Smith scored a hat-trick, but Spitse was on her way. Putting football first Spitse was closing in on 140 appearances when she wrote one of the finest chapters of her international career - captaining her country to glory in front of record crowds on home soil at Euro the armband after the second match by then head coach - and current England boss - Sarina Wiegman, the set-piece specialist scored two vital group-stage penalties. Then, in a six-goal thriller against Denmark in the final, she unleashed an expertly placed free-kick to hand her team a lead they never throughout that tournament, Spitse missed just 20 minutes of her side's run to the World Cup final two years later under Wiegman again, where they lost to the had been a different story for Spitse and the Netherlands, though, at Euro 2009 - their first major was 19 with 35 caps by then, but with Pauw largely fielding the same starting XI in Finland, she watched every minute from the bench, including an extra-time semi-final loss to England."She never, ever, said anything negative about it," said Pauw. "That's exactly what I meant when I said she had everything within her to become a legend because it was just football. She understood the unwritten laws of elite sport."I think everybody will say that, she puts football first and always knew what was needed to perform at that level and to grow."Part of that growth has been the development of Spitse as a leader, a quality that current Netherlands boss Jonker says he saw in her within days of his appointment in 2022 and one that he believes his players appreciate in her too."Within her character, there is this leadership, of being the boss, so she tells the team we are leaving, we are stopping, we're waiting," he explains."The older players are used to her, they know this is who she is and this is what she does, and they accept it, even if they don't agree, they think 'this is what Sherida wants, it's OK', because they know there's always a good intention behind the things she says or does, and the younger players have huge, huge respect for her." Proving the doubters wrong Despite her continued presence at the top of the international game, her domestic career has been played outside of Europe's top five leagues - with Dutch sides SC Heerenveen, Twente and Ajax, as well as Norwegian teams LSK Kvinner and Spitse continues to show her leadership skills as captain of a young group at Ajax, where she recently signed a new two-year contract flanked by her two children, her parents and by technical director Alex Kroes as "a natural leader and model professional", her worth to the club she has supported since childhood is clear, as is her contribution to women's football."Sherida's been around for a very, very long time, she's always played, she's helped the game grow in visibility," added Netherlands team-mate Vivianne Miedema. "In that way she is a leader and we need people like that in football to inspire others to start playing."For all her success, however, Spitse has still faced criticism as one of the older members of the Netherlands' 'Golden Generation'.But Jonker said he did not hand her the record-breaking 241st cap as a "present" but because she was "needed" in their Women's Nations League clash with Austria that he believed that after working even harder this past year, Spitse - who has recently been used in defence - has proved the doubters wrong."Her influence on the team is being a leader outside the pitch, but also on the pitch being able to lead the team, to coach the team," added Jonker."She is in great shape and as fit as the youngsters. This year, she has convinced everybody and nobody has any doubt about her position in the squad. It's a victory for her."
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sherida Spitse: The Netherlands defender with 244 caps – and she is not finished yet
There is nobody at Euro 2025 like Sherida Spitse. At 35, the Netherlands and Ajax captain is the most-capped European player of all time (244 appearances) and she is set to extend that record this month. Advertisement The midfielder-turned-defender's tally surpasses any male player on record — Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has 22 fewer caps than Spitse despite making his debut three years earlier. Only seven women, led by the USWNT's Kristine Lilly on 354, have more than Spitse. Her consistency and longevity are unparalleled in Europe but, despite this being her eighth international tournament, she still somehow flies under the radar. 'There aren't loads of super fans of Sherida,' says Mark Parsons, her national team coach from 2021-22. 'But I've been in winning environments where you overachieve. I've been in environments where you underachieve. The difference is often people like Sherida — the leadership, intensity, focus and dedication.' This summer, Spitse will captain the Netherlands in the tournament's most difficult group. They play France, who knocked them out of Euro 2022 in the quarter-finals, holders England and Wales. They must overachieve to progress, and the difference Spitse makes will be more important than ever. Advertisement When 16-year-old Spitse made her international debut in 2006, she was playing in the boys' team at her local side VV Sneek, in the north of the country, before moving on to Heerenveen when the Dutch women's league was founded a year later. She earned her first cap in a 4-0 loss to England in the Netherlands' unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2007 World Cup. Eleven years later, after two more international tournaments and spells at Norwegian side Kvinner and back home at Twente, she faced England again in what was the best summer of her career. In front of a sell-out crowd of almost 30,000 in Enschede, Sarina Wiegman's Netherlands won 3-0 to reach the Euros final on home soil. Advertisement In the final three days later she won player of the match, scored the decisive third goal and lifted the European Championship trophy in the 4-2 victory over Denmark. Spitse played every minute of the tournament. 'Championship-winning teams have to have one or two people like Sherida,' says Parsons, who took over from Wiegman when the Dutchwoman became England head coach in 2021. He was in the job for a year before Andries Jonker replaced him. 'Her ability to bring 100 per cent every single day is incredible, to demand 100 per cent from other people too. You need these types of characters, leaders, and that's Sherida.' Anouk Dekker, Spitse's former international team-mate, says Spitse is 'one of the key figures in every team that she plays in'. The two played together at Twente from 2012-14 and for the Netherlands at Euro 2017, as well as the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. Advertisement 'She's evolved into a true leader off the pitch, and being that role model the new generation needs,' Dekker says. 'I consider her a friend and someone I really respect. She can still be so important with her communication and leading the team.' Since 2017, the Netherlands have needed her leadership. In 2019, they lost 2-0 in the World Cup final to the U.S. and their European title defence under Parsons in 2022 was scuppered by fitness issues. Forward Vivianne Miedema, formerly of Arsenal and now at Manchester City, missed two group games through Covid-19 infection, while former Chelsea defender Aniek Nouwen and captain and goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal were injured in the opening game. It continued a pattern of injury and illness that had played havoc with their preparations. 'I had played 30 different people in six months because of Covid and injuries,' Parsons says. 'There were so many issues, but Sherida was consistent. Advertisement 'That gave us a chance. We got out of a group of Switzerland, Portugal and Sweden (before being eliminated by France in the quarter-finals). It would have been a lot worse without Sherida.' Parsons compares Spitse's leadership and character to Christine Sinclair, with whom he worked at Portland Thorns. Canada's Sinclair made 331 international appearances — a total only bettered by Lilly. 'Sherida will absolutely be giving her best but demand the best,' says Parsons. 'At first, you're probably like, 'Why is she like this?'. And what you realise is she wants the very best for the Dutch national team. 'Once you realise that, the young players have a role model in someone who maximises their quality, maximises their abilities. It's invaluable for a group to have. Advertisement 'While I had her in my leadership group, I wish I had empowered her more.' Spitse's leadership is part of the reason for her new two-year contract with Ajax, announced on June 17. She helps develop the club's young talent, such as American teenager Lily Yohannes, and the deal was signed with a view to a potential coaching role once she finishes playing. Spitse has started every Eredivisie match with Ajax for three consecutive seasons, including their title-winning 2022-23 campaign. She will now occasionally skip a training session to keep her body fresh — having been the first to the field and the last to leave. 'She is so strong, so fit and so consistent in putting football first and doing everything that needs to be done to be there every weekend,' says Dekker. Advertisement Her fitness has persisted despite a heavier footballing load than others with similar international records. Spitse's 244 caps are outstripped by six Americans and Canadian Sinclair but many of them played the bulk of their career at a time when female players had far fewer club fixtures. From 2007-25, Spitse has played more than 350. In recent years, her role has changed. Parsons admits he was surprised to see Jonker deploy Spitse, traditionally a central midfielder with an eye for goal, on the right of a back three at the 2023 World Cup in Australia. 'I didn't think it would work,' says Parsons. 'In possession, I thought it would be brilliant, because Sherida's quality is when she's faced up, looking forward with the ball — but I was a bit concerned defensively. That's a big new job. I was wrong.' In their five World Cup matches, the Netherlands conceded only two goals with Spitse on the pitch. She started every game. Advertisement It was an impressive transition into a defensive role. Dekker is not surprised by how Spitse, who now predominantly plays as a centre-half in a back four for Ajax and the Netherlands, has adapted. 'When I played behind her or in the same position, you can trust her 100 per cent,' Dekker says. 'She has such great technique, vision and positioning. You can't doubt her, if she's covering you — she will be there.' Spitse has played in defence in all six of the Netherlands' Nations League fixtures this year, starting three. It is unclear whether she will be a starter for Jonker, who will be replaced as head coach by Wiegman's long-time assistant Arjan Veurink after the tournament. Starting or not, she will have a key role in Switzerland. Advertisement 'Sometimes I feel like there's not enough respect for Sherida,' Dekker says. 'She's a true leader and a remarkable person. Her 244 caps say enough.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Netherlands, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros, 2025 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Sherida Spitse: The Netherlands defender with 244 caps – and she is not finished yet
There is nobody at Euro 2025 like Sherida Spitse. At 35, the Netherlands and Ajax captain is the most-capped European player of all time (244 appearances) and she is set to extend that record this month. The midfielder-turned-defender's tally surpasses any male player on record — Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has 22 fewer caps than Spitse despite making his debut three years earlier. Only seven women, led by the USWNT's Kristine Lilly on 354, have more than Spitse. Her consistency and longevity are unparalleled in Europe but, despite this being her eighth international tournament, she still somehow flies under the radar. 'There aren't loads of super fans of Sherida,' says Mark Parsons, her national team coach from 2021-22. 'But I've been in winning environments where you overachieve. I've been in environments where you underachieve. The difference is often people like Sherida — the leadership, intensity, focus and dedication.' This summer, Spitse will captain the Netherlands in the tournament's most difficult group. They play France, who knocked them out of Euro 2022 in the quarter-finals, holders England and Wales. They must overachieve to progress, and the difference Spitse makes will be more important than ever. GO DEEPER Women's Euros 2025: Guide to Group D - can England escape toughest group? When 16-year-old Spitse made her international debut in 2006, she was playing in the boys' team at her local side VV Sneek, in the north of the country, before moving on to Heerenveen when the Dutch women's league was founded a year later. She earned her first cap in a 4-0 loss to England in the Netherlands' unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2007 World Cup. Advertisement Eleven years later, after two more international tournaments and spells at Norwegian side Kvinner and back home at Twente, she faced England again in what was the best summer of her career. In front of a sell-out crowd of almost 30,000 in Enschede, Sarina Wiegman's Netherlands won 3-0 to reach the Euros final on home soil. In the final three days later she won player of the match, scored the decisive third goal and lifted the European Championship trophy in the 4-2 victory over Denmark. Spitse played every minute of the tournament. 'Championship-winning teams have to have one or two people like Sherida,' says Parsons, who took over from Wiegman when the Dutchwoman became England head coach in 2021. He was in the job for a year before Andries Jonker replaced him. 'Her ability to bring 100 per cent every single day is incredible, to demand 100 per cent from other people too. You need these types of characters, leaders, and that's Sherida.' GO DEEPER Euro 2025: Netherlands team guide - a stellar squad with injury issues and a daunting task Anouk Dekker, Spitse's former international team-mate, says Spitse is 'one of the key figures in every team that she plays in'. The two played together at Twente from 2012-14 and for the Netherlands at Euro 2017, as well as the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. 'She's evolved into a true leader off the pitch, and being that role model the new generation needs,' Dekker says. 'I consider her a friend and someone I really respect. She can still be so important with her communication and leading the team.' Since 2017, the Netherlands have needed her leadership. In 2019, they lost 2-0 in the World Cup final to the U.S. and their European title defence under Parsons in 2022 was scuppered by fitness issues. Forward Vivianne Miedema, formerly of Arsenal and now at Manchester City, missed two group games through Covid-19 infection, while former Chelsea defender Aniek Nouwen and captain and goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal were injured in the opening game. It continued a pattern of injury and illness that had played havoc with their preparations. Advertisement 'I had played 30 different people in six months because of Covid and injuries,' Parsons says. 'There were so many issues, but Sherida was consistent. 'That gave us a chance. We got out of a group of Switzerland, Portugal and Sweden (before being eliminated by France in the quarter-finals). It would have been a lot worse without Sherida.' Parsons compares Spitse's leadership and character to Christine Sinclair, with whom he worked at Portland Thorns. Canada's Sinclair made 331 international appearances — a total only bettered by Lilly. 'Sherida will absolutely be giving her best but demand the best,' says Parsons. 'At first, you're probably like, 'Why is she like this?'. And what you realise is she wants the very best for the Dutch national team. 'Once you realise that, the young players have a role model in someone who maximises their quality, maximises their abilities. It's invaluable for a group to have. 'While I had her in my leadership group, I wish I had empowered her more.' Spitse's leadership is part of the reason for her new two-year contract with Ajax, announced on June 17. She helps develop the club's young talent, such as American teenager Lily Yohannes, and the deal was signed with a view to a potential coaching role once she finishes playing. Spitse has started every Eredivisie match with Ajax for three consecutive seasons, including their title-winning 2022-23 campaign. She will now occasionally skip a training session to keep her body fresh — having been the first to the field and the last to leave. 'She is so strong, so fit and so consistent in putting football first and doing everything that needs to be done to be there every weekend,' says Dekker. Her fitness has persisted despite a heavier footballing load than others with similar international records. Spitse's 244 caps are outstripped by six Americans and Canadian Sinclair but many of them played the bulk of their career at a time when female players had far fewer club fixtures. From 2007-25, Spitse has played more than 350. In recent years, her role has changed. Parsons admits he was surprised to see Jonker deploy Spitse, traditionally a central midfielder with an eye for goal, on the right of a back three at the 2023 World Cup in Australia. 'I didn't think it would work,' says Parsons. 'In possession, I thought it would be brilliant, because Sherida's quality is when she's faced up, looking forward with the ball — but I was a bit concerned defensively. That's a big new job. I was wrong.' Advertisement In their five World Cup matches, the Netherlands conceded only two goals with Spitse on the pitch. She started every game. It was an impressive transition into a defensive role. Dekker is not surprised by how Spitse, who now predominantly plays as a centre-half in a back four for Ajax and the Netherlands, has adapted. 'When I played behind her or in the same position, you can trust her 100 per cent,' Dekker says. 'She has such great technique, vision and positioning. You can't doubt her, if she's covering you — she will be there.' Spitse has played in defence in all six of the Netherlands' Nations League fixtures this year, starting three. It is unclear whether she will be a starter for Jonker, who will be replaced as head coach by Wiegman's long-time assistant Arjan Veurink after the tournament. Starting or not, she will have a key role in Switzerland. 'Sometimes I feel like there's not enough respect for Sherida,' Dekker says. 'She's a true leader and a remarkable person. Her 244 caps say enough.'
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Netherlands coach denies causing Euro 2025 ‘puppet show' with podcast comments
Netherlands head coach Andries Jonker has denied causing a distraction for his team at the 2025 European Championship after appearing on a podcast to discuss his impending departure shortly before the beginning of the tournament. The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) announced in January that Jonker's contract would not be extended beyond the end of Euro 2025. Advertisement Speaking on the NOS Football Podcast in an episode published on Thursday, the 62-year-old said he considered quitting his role ahead of the tournament and expressed concerns over his authority and the support he was receiving. In a heated exchange with the media ahead of the Netherlands' Euro 2025 opener against Wales on Saturday, Jonker was accused by one journalist of creating a 'puppet show', whereby everything was about him and not the players. He responded: 'These women have given everything in 2025. Everything. And we have done that together. You people are all here today and this is thanks to us. To these women. The royal family will be there. And you have the guts to call it puppetry. If you think it's a puppet show, than you're entitled to your opinion. You are insulting the players. I have never seen you at training sessions and you're asking the players if they will believe the puppet show.' Then questioned if he regretted his comments on the podcast, Jonker said: 'No, you know me. Sherida's (Spitse, the Netherlands captain, who was sitting next to him at the press conference) attitude tells you clearly that it doesn't affect her, it doesn't affect the team. We want to win. We want to do well.' Advertisement Asked if the comments would create an interference at the tournament, he replied: 'No, only in the media. Not with the players. You heard her (Spitse). The players know what they need to do. We want to clinch our first win this tournament and we need to do it together.' Jonker was appointed Netherlands head coach in 2022, succeeding Mark Parsons. He led the side to the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup, where they lost to eventual champions Spain, but the Dutch failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. England assistant head coach Arjan Veurink has been confirmed as his successor. Captain Spitse insisted the team's 'focus was on football'. Asked if Jonker was wrong to make the comments, she replied: 'You're asking me the question, but he's sitting next to me. Why don't you ask him? I can't speak on the coach's behalf.' 'A remarkable press conference' The small media room at Swissporarena was already hot, baked in the afternoon sun of Lucerne. But as bodies piled in, filling the space like a flooded house, there loomed the unshakable sensation of something big coming. Advertisement And then it happened. Sherida Spitse and Andries Jonker took what felt like the stand, interrogated over Jonker's comments published 24 hours prior. Spitse did her best to defer, to insist group harmony was in order. But after 15 minutes, she retired, leaving Jonker to defend his decision to speak so publicly on a podcast about internal affairs. And so began the interrogation: media versus Jonker. With each question agitation grew, to a point where there was no clear line between question or answer and simply words being spat at each other, slicing through the hot air. When a journalist accused Jonker of confecting a puppet show, Jonker returned the insult, then questioned the journalist's record of covering the team. Finally, the head coach sighed, announced he was finished answering the questions. And so ended a truly phenomenal press conference, in which anything but harmony seemed to exist. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Netherlands, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
