On May 9, 2025, Vitesse announced that they are parting ways with head coach John van den Brom after just one season at the helm. The club, which has faced a tumultuous year filled with challenges, is reportedly looking to appoint a younger coach to guide their future efforts.
Van den Brom joined Vitesse last summer during a particularly difficult phase for the club, which had just been relegated to the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. He stepped in at a time when Vitesse was struggling to find its footing, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous coaching stints at clubs like Lech Poznan, KRC Genk, and FC Utrecht.
Despite his efforts, the season has been marred by significant setbacks. Vitesse faced a staggering 39 points deduction due to financial mismanagement, leaving them at the bottom of the league table with only two points and one match remaining. The club's last game under van den Brom will be against FC Den Bosch at the GelreDome, where the team hopes to end the season on a high note.
In a candid interview with Omroep Gelderland, van den Brom expressed his frustration over the abrupt decision to part ways, stating, "I am terribly angry. I received zero arguments for my dismissal. They are pushing aside an icon of the club. That hurts." He recounted a meeting with interim director Timo Braasch, who informed him of the decision while taking a walk at the training complex in Papendal. Van den Brom emphasized that he felt blindsided, saying, "The board made this decision, but I received no explanation. Really, none at all."
Reflecting on his time at Vitesse, van den Brom stated, "I have no regrets about joining last summer. This is my club. I invested all my energy and time, but I did not receive the appreciation one would expect. I was not involved in decisions at all. This is not how it should be in a top sports environment." His departure follows a season where Vitesse won ten matches and drew eleven, but the points deduction overshadowed their efforts.
As the club looks ahead, they are reportedly seeking a younger coach who can connect with the talent within their ranks. The new management, which includes five investors who took over the club about a hundred days ago, is keen on establishing a fresh direction for Vitesse. However, this new leadership has faced criticism for their lack of transparency and communication.
Commentators Valentijn Driessen and Chris Woerts have raised concerns about the club's future under the new ownership, questioning the viability of the current management structure. They remarked, "Who would want to buy into this?" as doubts about the club's direction linger.
Van den Brom's history with Vitesse is significant; he played for the club from 1986 to 1993 and again from 1996 to 2001, amassing over three hundred appearances. He also managed Vitesse during the 2011/12 season. His departure marks the end of a tumultuous chapter for both the coach and the club.
As Vitesse prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will be on finding a coach who can navigate the challenges ahead and reinvigorate a club that has faced so much adversity. With the last match of the season looming, fans are left to ponder what the future holds for their beloved team.
The situation remains fluid, and as Vitesse gears up for its final game of the season, the club's supporters are eager to see how the management's decisions will unfold in the coming weeks. Will they find the right leader to steer Vitesse back to stability and success? Only time will tell.
