Robert Maaskant has been appointed as the new head coach of Helmond Sport, marking the end of Kevin Hofland's tenure following disappointing results. Maaskant, 56, signs on until the end of the season, becoming the club's eighth manager this century.
Technically manager Jurgen Streppel swiftly identified Maaskant as the right candidate for the position. "With Robert, we are bringing onboard a coach with substantial experience and knowledge of Dutch football. We are excited about building for the future with him and his capabilities can lead to creating an energetic team," Streppel said.
Maaskant's career has seen him take charge of several Dutch professional clubs, including Go Ahead Eagles, NAC Breda, FC Groningen, and VVV-Venlo. His international experience includes winning the title with Polish side Wisła Kraków. Notably, he returns to the coaching circuit after more than five years away from this role.
The seasoned coach said, "I am incredibly happy with this opportunity at Helmond Sport. The club has clear ambitions, and with the move to the new GS Staalwerken Stadion, we're on the brink of an exciting chapter." His inaugural day of training is set for Tuesday, with only days left to prepare for their next match against Excelsior, which will be held on Sunday.
Currently, Helmond Sport sits tenth in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie and hopes to climb the ranks toward playoff contention for promotion. Over their past eight matches, Helmond managed to secure victory only once, necessitating immediate change to halt the downward spiral.
Reflecting on his career, Maaskant's rapid rotation through clubs hasn’t gone unnoticed. Since 2000, he has coached seven clubs, making him one of the more frequently moved coaches within this timeframe, trailing only Hans de Koning, who managed nine teams before leaving VVV-Venlo.
His latest role requires bold leadership as he faces the pressure to reinvigorate the team's performance. The change stems from earlier aspirations for promotion to the Eredivisie, which now feel distant after the club's underwhelming showing this season. With the looming move to the new stadium, fans and officials alike hope his leadership can spur the team back to competitive form.
Streppel emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "With Robert's arrival, we believe we can motivate our players and push them to perform at their best. We’re dedicated to creating momentum for the play-off spots.”
The first test for the newly appointed coach will be against Excelsior, currently positioned second, on Sunday at 16:45. The match promises to be challenging, setting the stage for Maaskant's future at Helmond Sport.
Maaskant's coaching and playing history has crafted him as one of the more versatile figures within Dutch football, and his return marks both hope and caution for the supporters of Helmond Sport. It is evident there is much work to be done, but optimism looms as the club turns to its new leader.