Hiddink reveals why Mark van Bommel chose the Red Devils

Guus Hiddink, the 79‑year‑old coach, stated on De Oranjezondag that he is not surprised by the praise Mark van Bommel is receiving in Belgium, after Belgium won 0‑2 against Italy last Friday. He emphasized that the compliments from the Belgian press stemmed from that victory.

Conversations and choices of van Bommel

The two have spoken to each other several times over the past months, before van Bommel made the decision for the Red Devils. In those talks he brushed aside various possibilities. Hiddink said that van Bommel deliberately waited to see what suited him.

According to Hiddink, van Bommel has an excellent reputation in Belgium. He has had a few very good seasons with Antwerp, where he became champion and turned into a great gentleman. That reputation makes him attractive to the Red Devils.

Hiddink added that van Bommel also had other options to do something at a slightly lower level in football. He waited patiently and said: “that’s what I want to do”. In this way he made it clear that he chose his own path.

“He naturally has a very good reputation in Belgium. He has had a few very good seasons with Antwerp, became champion and is a great gentleman there,” Hiddink quoted. “I have spoken to him a number of times over the past months and he has deliberately waited to see what suits him.”

Rutger Castricum shares Hiddink’s opinion, but adds a caveat. “It’s certainly very nice for van Bommel, but it is Italy, after all. They can’t do anything about it either. Tomorrow we face France and I’ll be very curious then. I wish van Bommel well and I hope it works out for him.”