When former players or coaches return to their old clubs as opponents, the pre-match interviews are usually filled with polite, generic pleasantries. However, in the August 2014 matchday programme, Heracles Almelo manager Jan de Jonge bypassed the clichés and went straight for the emotional jugular of every FC Groningen fan.
De Jonge’s connection to Groningen was deep; he had a long active playing career there and began his coaching journey within the club’s ranks. When asked if returning was special, he didn’t hesitate. “I have coached against FC Groningen several times now, so that in itself is not special anymore,” he noted. But then, he invoked the holy grail of the club’s history: “But the European matches against Atletico and Inter in the Oosterpark, which I saw from the sidelines, will always stay with me.”
By mentioning the legendary 1983 UEFA Cup ties against Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan at the old Stadion Oosterpark, De Jonge instantly connected with the soul of the home support. He acknowledged that while he was now tasked with rebuilding a heavily depleted Heracles squad (having lost 15 players over the summer), his footballing DNA was permanently marked by those magical, freezing nights in the North.
A Look into the Future
By 2026, the European nights at the Stadion Oosterpark remain the gold standard of nostalgia for the club’s older generation. Jan de Jonge’s tenure at Heracles Almelo during the 2014/2015 season was ultimately short-lived, as he was dismissed just a few weeks after this match due to a poor run of results. However, his quote in this programme stands as a beautiful reminder that the history of FC Groningen is carried not just by the fans in the stands, but by the professionals who pass through its doors and take the memories of the Oosterpark with them wherever they go.