VVV-Venlo, once standing on the brink of financial collapse, is gradually finding its footing as the club works through the aftermath of its recent financial recovery. General director Guus Pennings, who took the helm of the club earlier this year, revealed during the L1 Voetbaldiner the challenges facing VVV and the steps being taken to secure a brighter future.
After successfully completing the WHOA-procedure, which allowed the club to write off substantial debt, VVV's path forward remains fraught with challenges. “People often think when you finish a WHOA procedure, everything should return to normal,” said Pennings. “But during the procedure, you have to implement austerity measures, and the effects of those measures are only felt after the procedure is complete.”
Under Pennings’ leadership, which began in June, VVV has been restructuring its finances, keeping expenses to the bare minimum. This financial prudence was necessary, especially after the club faced significant operational losses earlier this year. “We have been on the edge of the abyss,” Pennings added. “That may seem like ages ago, but it was just at the beginning of this calendar year. We are still feeling the repercussions from what happened then.”
Consequently, VVV has had to make serious compromises when it came to player recruitment. The club's current squad is peppered with inexperienced players and youth talent. This has led to the team sitting at the bottom of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, currently residing on the 18th spot, below expectations. Despite this, there lies within the club’s management a sense of tempered optimism. “We preached realism at the start of the season,” Pennings noted, remarking on their current budget ranking within the league.
While the results might not reflect the ambition to which VVV aspires, Pennings pointed out the importance of building the right foundations for future success. “We are performing below our expectations but focusing on the long-term process, and I know we are doing the right things,” he asserted. “We have plans for the future.”
One pivotal aspect of those plans includes attracting investors to stabilize and potentially grow the club's financial resources. Recently, VVV announced its openness to new investors, but Pennings emphasized the need for cautious engagement. “People are often wary of these situations,” he said. “But VVV is already owned by ten entrepreneurs, so there’s no change in governance. We are not closing the door on anyone, but we stress carefulness over speed.”
This careful strategy is necessary for the club to compete at the top level. Pennings celebrated the club's rich history and acknowledged the need to match the financial capabilities of rival teams. “We belong to the top 20 of the football environment,” he reiterated. “For the past 50 years, we have maintained this positioning, but we have to double our player budgets and sustain operational losses of 2 to 3 million euros, like those clubs at the top.”
While timelines for these initiatives remain uncertain, Pennings hinted at the need for patience. “The pace we can handle depends on the success of our investment process. So, I don’t think it’s wise to set any specific timeline,” he stated.
Adding to the atmosphere of hope surrounding VVV, the club also acknowledged its connections to the community by awarding FCV Venlo the title of Partner Club of the Year during halftime of their match against Excelsior on December 21. Emiel Kramer, coordinator of football affairs for VVV’s partner clubs, presented FCV with a signed team jersey, reinforcing VVV's commitment to fostering strong local relationships.
With these developments, VVV-Venlo stands at a crossroads. Looking to the future, Pennings is cautiously optimistic, stating, “I hope this season will bring about unity and collaboration, nurturing the bond between the team and its supporters as we strive to climb back up.”
With the traditional festivities of the holiday season upon them, VVV-Venlo encourages its supporters to remain patient and united as they brace for what the next year might bring, full of potential and promise.
