Professional soccer director Eric Gudde (65) is concerned about the future of professional soccer at the start of the Eredivisie season. “Organising matches costs clubs more than it yields them”.
A few weeks ago, in September, Erasmus School of Economics alumnus Eric Gudde watched a game of the youth of Excelsior Maassluis, the amateur club where he was a trainer. It felt like nothing changed. The “social element” and “feeling of happiness” took a hit after the suspension of the sport, says the director of professional soccer of the KNVB. Not only among the nearly 1,2 million members who play themselves, but also in the experience surrounding professional soccer.
“Suppose you cannot attend competitions for another year. Your wife gets used to that, so do you. Would you go back next season, or will your life be organised completely differently? This alienation is a great danger to soccer.” Gudde, who graduated from Erasmus School of Economics in 1989, hopes that the sector will be given the space to experiment with fuller stadiums. He sees possibilities with clubs in regions where the number of infections is relatively low. “Spectators are always registered, should someone be tested positive.” At the time of the interview, Minister Hugo de Jonge said that he does not think it’s wise to experiment with fuller stadiums.
Read the full interview with alumnus Eric Gudde on the website of NRC.
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Eric Gudde graduated from Erasmus School of Economics in 1989.
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