Coach Bergkamp not heading to Arsenal
Dennis Bergkamp has been offered a coaching traineeship with Ajax and setantasports.comcan reveal that, contrary to reports, the former Arsenal great will notbe completing part of his education under Arsene Wenger's wing.
After nearly two years out of the professional game, the 1998 PFAPlayer of the Year and Footballer of the Year has enrolled on acoaching course in his native Holland that will enable him to become acoach in De Eredivisie, should he complete the process.
Having won over 50 caps for his country he is eligible for the samefast-track scheme that enabled the great Johan Cruyff to manage firstAjax and then Barcelona, and will take up residence with the Amsterdamclub that he first joined as a 12-year-old as he begins his coachingapprenticeship.
Despite some reports claiming that Bergkamp's fear of flying meanshe will be taking the course in London, the former forward's agent, RobJansen, has denied that Arsenal are involved in the process or that histentative steps into the managerial world will overseen by Wenger.
"His training course will take place in England? That is absolutely not true," Jansen told setantasports.com. "Of course [it will be in Holland].
When queried whether the course would involve any work with Arsenalor with Wenger, Jansen replied: "No, nothing. [Working with Arsenal] isnot an issue at the moment.
"He is studying to work with a head coach in Holland, in the Dutch league, and that is all. There is nothing more to report."
Bergkamp scored 103 goals in 185 league goals for Ajax beforeleaving the club in 1993, and was hailed as the successor to the manwho will soon be first team coach at the club, Marco van Basten.
The current Holland manager will take over the four-time EuropeanCup winners following Euro 2008 and Van Basten feels Bergkamp will bean inspirational addition to his coaching setup for next season.
"I called Dennis a few weeks ago, because I wanted to know how hewas doing and if he would want to do something for Ajax, in whatevercapacity," Van Basten told the club's official website.
"It is important to work with as much quality as possible with Ajaxand it is obvious that Dennis has qualities. In our conversation,Dennis said that he would come to Holland to take the coaching course.
"Part of that course is that the participants enter a traineeship. Ioffered him a trainee post and he was very interested. I hope andexpect that this will be good for Ajax and for Dennis.
"I think he can make players better. His presence will have animpact on the team. For Ajax as a whole it is also good that someone ofDennis' stature is involved with the club. At Ajax, Dennis can discoverhow he likes it to be on the pitch in a different role.” |
發表於 2008-4-13 11:44 AM
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發表於 2008-4-16 12:05 AM
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