Former Netherlands striker argues Wiegman is not ready to lead Dutch men’s national team

Former Netherlands striker and football analyst Pierre van Hooijdonk said Sarina Wiegman is not yet suitable to coach the men’s national team. Van Hooijdonk (56) argues that she lacks experience “at the highest level in a men’s world.”

Similarly, an earlier survey among thousands of football supporters in the RTL Nieuws panel showed that many Dutch fans would accept a woman as the next head coach of Oranje. However, many respondents said a female coach should first demonstrate experience in men’s football.

Van Hooijdonk made the remarks to NOS while discussing possible successors to former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, who had left the position. He said he favors coaches with extensive experience and a clear football philosophy. “I am in favor of coaches with a lot of baggage and a very clear football vision,” Van Hooijdonk said.

He said Wiegman, despite her success in women’s football, does not have the experience required for the men’s national team.

The former striker also referred to the cultural backgrounds of some players. “In this time, we also have to deal with a lot of boys who have a different background. There are a lot of players from cultures where women simply are not at the same level as men,” he said.

The remarks led to widespread discussion online. Minister Mirjam Sterk of Long-Term Care, Youth, and Sport called the comments “incomprehensible” in an interview with EenVandaag. She said she would like to see a woman become coach of Oranje.

Asked later by NOS about his statement that some players would not accept a woman as coach, Van Hooijdonk defended his remarks.

“That is one of the things I said,” Van Hooijdonk answered. “I have often used this argument when I talk to people on the club level about this. Because on the club level, you deal with an even greater diversity. It is not my opinion but a conclusion based on a fact. I think we all see that. Only, we do not all dare to name it.”

Van Hooijdonk stressed that the argument was not his personal view. “It is not how I look at it,” he said.

He said he believes a woman could eventually become coach of the Netherlands men’s team, “but the time is not right yet,” Van Hooijdonk said. “That it will happen one day, I think so. But I also think there will still be a period of time before that happens.”

Similarly to the survey respondents, he said women should first gain experience in men’s football by working in youth academies at professional football organizations.

“If that all goes well, then a woman could potentially be placed at professional football organizations. But at this moment, it is not there yet,” he said.

NOS defended its decision to include Van Hooijdonk’s views in its programming.

“Pierre is at the table as an analyst and gives his own opinion,” NOS said in a statement to NU.nl. “He gave his vision on what he believes is a widely supported view in football.”