Mark van Bommel's family secret, the man behind the bench

Sports Football Mark van Bommel, the coach with a discreet charisma, hides behind his bench an intense family life. Born in Maasbroek, a Dutch village of about 7,000 inhabitants between Belgium and Germany, he is very attached to his wife Andrea and their three children.

In the village, Mark was the only child of a beverage wholesaler, his father John. John delivered crates weighing up to 30 kilos, which he carried with both hands to prevent his son from hurting his back. “I didn’t want Mark to ruin his back like I did,” the father confirms. Mark says he worked in the family business while pursuing studies in administrative assistance, a very demanding job. “The guys from school often went out, I didn’t. They told me I wanted the life of a young footballer, but I thought exactly the opposite,” he confides.

Professional beginnings

At twenty-one, he signs for PSV and takes presenter Harry Vermeegen to his parents' house. His mother Andrea welcomes him with a dish of green cabbage, minced meat and potatoes, typical of Maasbroek. Vermeegen's arrival causes forty crates of beer to fall, shattering into dozens of empty bottles, amid Mark's amused shouts.

Family life

During his final season at Fortuna Sittard, he meets Andrea, daughter of coach Bert van Marwijk. Coocky Voorn, his father's assistant, organizes a party for his 50th birthday where the two youngsters talk without interruption, the chemistry clicks instantly. Mark remembers trembling from head to toe while bringing flowers and chocolate to ask Andrea out, under Van Marwijk's indulgent gaze.

Mark van Bommel, from the village of Maasbroek to exemplary fatherhood

Two years later, the couple settles in Eindhoven, gets married and welcomes twins Thomas and Renée, later followed by Ruben. They then move to Barcelona, and later to Munich, where Mark picks up the nickname “Stinkstiefel” from his opponents. Their favourite evening remains the sofa, where they watch the series 24 in tracksuits.

Andrea says the only thing that bothered her was Mark's moustache, which he shaved off after a few months. She highlights his tender side, stating that he is a true family man, calm and very funny.

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Outside work, Mark enjoys marching in the carnival with an afro wig, then collapsing in training in front of the television. These moments illustrate the contrast between his demanding presence on the bench and his relaxed humour at home.