KNVB prepares seven referees for more Eredivisie showpiece assignments
A development group will receive additional coaching and greater responsibility as Dutch refereeing officials plan for the eventual succession of Danny Makkelie and Serdar Gözübüyük.
Seven Dutch referees are being prepared to take charge of more high-profile Eredivisie matches as part of a long-term development programme. Refereeing manager Raymond van Meenen told Voetbal International, as relayed by FCUpdate, that the group will gradually receive greater responsibility.
Sander van der Eijk, Joey Kooij, Marc Nagtegaal, Jannick van der Laan, Robin Hensgens, Alex Bos and Martijn Vos make up the Talents Group. They are receiving extra guidance from former referees and will increasingly be appointed to games involving the leading clubs. Van Meenen stressed that their progress will not be uniform and that identifying the first successors will still take time.
Van der Eijk has already handled a major fixture between Ajax and PSV. After that match, Van Meenen said he believed PSV player Ruben van Bommel should have been sent off for a challenge on Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman.
The initiative is intended to address the gap between established officials Danny Makkelie and Serdar Gözübüyük and the referees below them. Van Meenen said both senior officials want to continue and remain active at a different level through European appointments and possible major tournaments. He described the developing officials as candidates who may be ready for the top level in three or four years, while emphasising the importance of retaining Makkelie and Gözübüyük for balance in the current group.
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