By the final day of the Eredivisie season, the league table is usually divided into two categories: those fighting for their lives, and those who can finally breathe. On page 6 of the May 2014 matchday programme, Heracles Almelo manager Jan de Jonge writes his guest column firmly from the perspective of the latter.
De Jonge, a man with deep ties to the north having previously managed FC Groningen, brought his Heracles side to the Euroborg with the ultimate weight lifted off his shoulders. “Eredivisie status was secured in the penultimate round of play, and so the squad can play freely in this final match,” the editorial intro notes. De Jonge reflects on the crucial 1-1 draw against champions Ajax the previous weekend that guaranteed their survival. “We played a nice match against Ajax… We have gained a lot of confidence within the squad,” he writes.
However, De Jonge is quick to acknowledge the formidable challenge awaiting them. He notes that Groningen is in a “good period with five victories in a row” and recalls the reverse fixture earlier in the season where Groningen comfortably won 3-0 in Almelo. For the fans reading this, it was a comforting dynamic: a relaxed opponent facing a home team desperate to break a historic club record for consecutive wins before heading into the playoffs.
A Look into the Future
Jan de Jonge‘s achievement of keeping Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie was a significant milestone in his managerial career, though his tenure at the club would end early in the following season. For FC Groningen, this match was the perfect springboard. They used the momentum of this incredible late-season winning streak to storm through the European playoffs, completely erasing the memories of their chaotic, red-card-filled autumn. This column captures the exact moment the regular season ended, with both clubs having achieved exactly what they set out to do.