In many ways, it was a natural choice. Feyenoord Rotterdam was ranked number one in player development by the International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES) football observatory for this year’s FIFA World Cup. No less than 12 players who trained at the club featured in Brazil; nine for the Netherlands, two for Ghana and Salomon Kalou for Ivory Coast.
The Delhi Dynamos owner Sameer Manchanda described the franchise’s association with the Dutch club as a “meeting of minds.” Although the Indian Super League side spoke to other European clubs, only Feyenoord showed the “same commitment towards football.”
The Dutch club, as revealed by its international relations manager Gido Vader, was only contacted by Dynamos. “Initially we were sceptical. We had not idea what was going on. But when we met and the franchise shared their dreams, we wanted to be part of it,” added the Dutchman.
While Dynamos stands to gain coaching assistance and academy players from this association, many wonder what’s in it for Feyenoord?
“We are not known in the huge Indian market. We want to be more known here. There’s a lot of talent in India. I’m told there are more than 100 football clubs in Delhi alone,” said Vader.
This association, though, is not Feyenoord’s first foray into the international market.
Last week, the Dutch club held talent scouting camps in the United States of America and Canada. This year alone, Feyenoord’s academy coaches have trained children in Cuba, Nigeria and the Dutch Antilles.
The now famous Feyenoord training method has been taken to different parts of the world and Vader believes that India could benefit from this, too.
“We shouldn’t go for short-term success. This is a league for at least 10 years. If the Dynamos fails in the first match, the crowd shouldn’t go after the team. Building talent takes time. Our plans can be adopted in the Indian football ecosystem,” added Vader.
While Vader acknowledges that it’s important to set up the Dynamo team first, he is in no doubt that the long-term progress of Indian football is among the franchise’s major objectives.
“We can get many foreigners to play here but the coaching and development of players are necessary,” he says. Hence, it’s no surprise that the plan for a talent academy has already been discussed by Feyenoord and the franchise.
From facing bankruptcy in February 2010, the Dutch club has come a long way. The former head of youth development at Feyenoord, Stanley Brard, has been credited for the transformation of the club during his nine-year tenure beginning 2005.
While the Eredivisie side pursued a perilous transfer policy, Brard established a model player development system at the club academy Varkenoord. This was particularly made possible by the individual-focussed and lighter fitness regime implemented by the renowned coach Raymond Verheijen.
Indian football may soon experience the undying fire of the Feyenoord revolution.
