Football Season Guide

The past campaign was not a memorable one for Heerenveen, as they failed to reach a top half finish, drawing far too many games and conceding too many goals, and eventually had to change coach midway through. Johnny Jansen, who took over as head coach from Olde Riekerink, he was his assistant earlier on, was confirmed in charge and will now be asked to lead the team to another quiet salvation. He will have to do it with a completely different squad, though. In fact, no less than 10 players quit and at least 6 of them were protagonists of the past campaign. The likes of Lammers and Vlap in particular had imposed themselves as the key players, scoring and assisting plenty and heavily contributing to the 5th best attack of the league. Just as well, Perie left a hole in the heart of the defence, departing for Ajax, while Thorsby, who made a move to Sampdoria, had lost his starting eleven status in the midfield at some point in the season. Moreover, Van Amersfoort and Kobayashi were also let go. The Swedish Dresevic, after one year spent learning the trade, might step up at centre-back, with Skovgaard representing the main alternative. On the other hand, Faik arrived from Zulte Waregem and should become a regular in the midfield. For the attack, Bruijn, who returned after being loaned away to NEC, Ejuke from Valerenga and on-loan Odgaard, who had a very brief taste of Serie A football in Sassuolo, will be expected to become protagonists and to provide the goals.