In the mid-2010s, the Dutch football landscape was shaken not just by action on the pitch, but by severe boardroom drama. The matchday programme for FC Groningen‘s clash with FC Twente in March 2015 captures the Enschede club at one of its lowest historical points, offering a stark contrast to their recent glory.
The “De Tegenstander” feature bluntly describes Twente’s situation: “Voor FC Twente leek het afgelopen decennium een sprookje. Maar inmiddels is duidelijk dat de vergelijking met een droom meer waarheidsgetrouw is.” The club, celebrated as Eredivisie champions just five years prior in 2010, had recently been hit with a three-point deduction by the KNVB for failing to meet their financial recovery plan.
While FC Groningen was enjoying a stable season, quietly marching towards their historic cup victory, Twente was in survival mode. The page details how head coach Alfred Schreuder was forced to navigate a sinking ship, trying to shield the squad from the administrative chaos and focusing on the pitch, where they were still mathematically fighting for European playoff spots despite the point deductions.
A Look into the Future
Twente’s nightmare would worsen significantly before it got better, culminating in forced relegation to the Eerste Divisie in 2018 amid threats of losing their professional license entirely. However, the club rebuilt organically, returning to the Eredivisie and eventually qualifying for the Champions League qualifiers by 2024. Alfred Schreuder survived the storm, rebuilding his own reputation to eventually manage clubs like Ajax and Club Brugge.