Robert Eenhoorn pushes parental access as Feyenoord aims cut PSV gap

In an interview, Feyenoord director Robert Eenhoorn (58) said he wants the club to move back to the Coolsingel but has placed no deadline on the project, noting he has already spent more than hundred days at De Kuip and stressing that parents must simply be allowed to watch their children play.

From supporter to decision‑maker

Eenhoorn recalled being a regular fan last season when he watched Feyenoord lose hopelessly to PSV at the Philips Stadion. He left the stadium early that afternoon, saying, "I was that day riding with someone, and if they leave you can't stay seated."

Robin van Persie was the trainer at the time, and Eenhoorn explained that the coach’s dismissal was the result of a thorough analysis rather than emotion or short‑term results. "You are expected, when you sit in a position like I now, to make decisions," he said. "We took time to analyse and finally made that decision."

Human side of tough choices

The former director also reflected on the personal side of bad news, noting that Shaqeel is currently injured but that the human aspect remains that "parents should be able to come and watch their children". He added that his own worst personal tragedy – the loss of his child – was delivered in a brief conversation, avoiding prolonged debate.

He said he has not seen Robin van Persie since the dismissal, but the episode still occupies his thoughts. "If that die then you can't stay," he recalled from his earlier comment, underscoring the finality of such decisions.

Financial reality and championship ambition

When asked about the club’s finances, Eenhoorn admitted he was not given a detailed breakdown but asserted that the club’s foundation is solid and that “the difference between the Champions League and the Europa League is gigantic”. He warned that treating occasional income as regular can make budgeting difficult for any club.

Jan de Jong, director of the Eredivisie, had previously suggested a second ticket would be 95 percent certain this season, but Eenhoorn noted that poor performances of Dutch clubs have undermined that expectation. He also mentioned that his predecessor wanted to buy out the Friends of Feyenoord, a move he declined without sufficient funds.

Eenhoorn highlighted governance, noting the club now deals with ten separate entities and that any inefficiency lies in that structure. He likened the club’s assets to hanging a Van Gogh and a Rembrandt on the wall – valuable, but not for sale.

Looking ahead, he declared that Feyenoord must “structurally play for the championship” and improve by more than 25 percent compared with PSV and with last year’s performance. He said the gap with the champions has widened and that the team needs to raise its points per match from around 1.9 to roughly 2.25.

He linked this target to infrastructure, talent, culture, processes and systems, praising De Kuip as a “great football stadium”. The director concluded that closing the gap with PSV is essential, but that the rest of the league will also continue to evolve.