The “De Trainer” column on page 5 of the April 2013 programme usually features the thoughts of the visiting head coach. However, for the match between FC Groningen and ADO Den Haag, the page documents a significant piece of Dutch football trivia. The column is penned by assistant trainer Henk Fraser, who was forced to take the reins because head coach Maurice Steijn was serving a touchline suspension.
The text explicitly highlights the gravity of the moment: for the former Feyenoord center-back and six-time Dutch international, this night at the Euroborg marked his very first time as the man ultimately responsible on an Eredivisie bench. “A new experience,” Fraser calls it, though he quickly downplays the drama, noting he works closely with Steijn and shares his methodology. However, the pressure was immense. ADO Den Haag arrived in the North on a miserable four-game losing streak, having recently been dismantled by a Vitesse side led by the unstoppable Wilfried Bony.
Fraser’s tactical preview reveals a deep respect for the home side. Having already lost to Groningen twice that season, he specifically pinpoints their lethal efficiency in set pieces, recalling a goal by Finnish midfielder Tim Sparv. Despite the dire form and the daunting atmosphere of the Euroborg, Fraser promises a fierce fight: “We are going to sell our skin dearly.”
A Look into the Future
From the perspective of 2026, this specific matchday programme is a collector’s item for fans of Dutch managerial history. This temporary stint on the Euroborg touchline was ground zero for Henk Fraser‘s highly successful career as a head coach. He would eventually take full control of ADO Den Haag, lead Vitesse to a historic KNVB Cup victory, manage Sparta Rotterdam, and serve as an assistant to Louis van Gaal for the Dutch National Team. The calm, analytical voice captured in this 2013 column was just the beginning of one of the most respected managerial journeys in modern Dutch football.