―― Can you briefly tell us about your career?　

After I stopped playing in Europe I moved to Japan on a study-program from the European Commission. I learned about Japan, it’s culture and language at Waseda University and did my internship at Vissel Kobe. After the internship I was asked to stay at Vissel as a coach of their academy, which I did for 2 years before I moved on to Omiya Ardija. I also stayed in Saitama for 2 years, a perfect way for me to improve my Japanese and learn about the particular culture in daily life and the J-league. I knew I had to invest a lot but I was convinced that this would pay back one day because there are very few foreign coaches who speak the language and understand the culture. After one year at the Arsenal soccer school in Ichikawa I moved to Singapore to work for the association. In four years I coached the national teams U14, U15, U23 and U19. In the meantime I got the pro-licence of coaching in Australia. I also worked for Bert van Marwijk who was head coach of Saudi-Arabia and I would analyse the opponents in their group for World Cup Qualification(Japan, Australia and Thailand). When van Marwijk moved on to become the head coach of Australia I became one of his assistants and as such went to the World Cup in Russia. After the 4 years in Singapore I was temporarily national head coach of Brunei in their World Cup qualifiers against Mongolia. After 10 years of coaching in Asia I moved back to Europe with my Japanese wife and child. In Maastricht, my hometown, I was appointed coach of the first team and head coach of the U19 at MVV Maastricht, second professional tier. In the new season I will continue as a coach of the first team and head coach of the newly formed U21.