PSV add experienced former Oranje international to technical staff | OneFootball

Former defender André Ooijer (50) has been appointed as assistant coach to Peter Bosz at PSV. As Voetbal International explain, he is the successor of Stijn Schaars, who in turn has been appointed as the technical final manager at Jong PSV.

The former first-team defender has held many positions at PSV. Ooijer turned out for the club between 1997 and 2006. Later, a second period followed, between 2009 and 2010. He also played for FC Volendam, Ajax and Blackburn Rovers in his career.

Ooijer won the Eredivisie seven times (five times with PSV) and in that time, also picked up 55 caps for Oranje, featuring in squads for Euro 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. When time on the pitch came to an end, Ooijer was active in various coaching positions between 2013 and 2023.

Ooijer explained that it was the managers at PSV convinced him to return to football. “Two years ago, I consciously stopped working as assistant coach at PSV. In the meantime, I started my own company with my girlfriend Mariëlle: Marketmix. We built it into a successful enterprise, of which I have fulfilled the role of CEO with great pleasure.”

When football director Earnest Stewart called, that view changed. “At first, I said ‘no’ to his request to become assistant coach, because I had decided to leave football for a while. But I promised to think about it. The moment I put down the phone, I immediately started to get the itch, and I had a feeling: this could be very interesting. Then I sat down at the drawing board with my loved ones, and my family members immediately expressed their support, because they could see that my eyes were starting to shine.”

Ultimately, a conversation with Bosz was the deciding factor. “After that, all the traffic lights were green. I have a lot of fresh energy and enthusiasm to make this a success. After two years outside of football, I am more than ready to step onto the field again, and that at the club that is very close to my heart.”

PSV have given Ooijer a two-year deal. He will work alongside Bosz’s other assistants, Rob Maas and Theo Lucius and goalkeeping coach, Kevin Begois.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield