UTRECHT – FC Utrecht has been lacking in form and confidence in recent weeks. According to Mark van der Maarel and Bart Ramselaar, the lack of clarity about the future of trainer René Hake is not the cause of this. The trainer himself says that there could have been clarity about this a long time ago and seems to be drawing his conclusions.
But maybe I do too
De Keijzer couldn’t control the ball well and ended up in a duel with De Leeuw from which a penalty arose, which was then used. De Leeuw made the 0-2 not much later.
René Hake in conversation with reporter René van den Berg
“It is of course a blow if you are 0-2 behind within ten minutes,” said Van der Maarel. “Nevertheless, we were able to put the pressure on it. It just lacks form and luck to score before halftime. We are not in the best phase, but I didn’t see this one coming.”
Chances, no equalizer
The defeat is another blow for FC Utrecht. Only four of the last 16 games have been won. “At the moment we have lost it. I think it is a matter of trust. There were great opportunities, they have to be taken,” says Ramselaar. “This is a real shame.”
Mark van der Maarel in conversation with reporter René van den Berg
Hake doesn’t know if trust is the issue. “In matches you see a certain doubt in the team,” says trainer Hake. “But we have had some very good moments and opportunities.”
I don’t think it’s the cause of the flawed form at the moment
“We have had plenty of opportunities and possibilities. Well, if you don’t make them. You are currently missing a number of guests who they put in very easily. It would be nice if they simply go in with us, just like with Groningen”, says Van der Maarel.
There will be an international break next weekend. The following week FC Utrecht will play against RKC Waalwijk. “The noses all have to go in the same direction towards the play-offs. That’s where the prizes will be divided”, says the experienced Van der Maarel.
I am confident they will continue with me
Hake’s future unclear
The contract of head coach René Hake expires next summer. It is not yet clear about a possible longer stay of Hake in Utrecht or a possible successor. “I don’t have much to say about that. We close ourselves off from those kinds of noises. That’s what we’re professionals for. I don’t think that lack of clarity is the cause of the flawed form at the moment,” said Van der Maarel.
“I don’t think it should play a role. There could have been clarity about that for a long time. I know what I think about that. We’ve been talking about it for a longer period of time,” Hake says about it. The coach does not know whether this means that the club will say goodbye to him. “But maybe I want to too. Sometimes you have to pick up the gauntlet yourself.”
Ramselaar’s future is also not certain yet. His contract expires next summer, but FC Utrecht still has an option to extend the contract for another year. “I’ll hear that before April 1. I have no idea. For me, the focus is game to game.”
Bart Ramselaar in conversation with reporter René van den Berg
“I am confident that they will continue with me. It would also not be smart if they did not let me go for a large amount in the winter and then let me walk out the door for free.”