Football Season Guide

Definitely a positive season, which started poorly with too many losses of concentration, but straightened out after the winter break with better performances and greater continuity of results. This change did not come out of nowhere, but was obtained thanks to careful management by the club and the skilful leadership of expert coach Adrie Koster. The foundations had already been laid in the previous season when they went close to the play-offs but threw it all away in the last few rounds. It must be said that the Tricolores took full advantage of the league’s suspension that came when they were in 5th position, therefore they qualified directly for the Europa League's preliminary rounds without having to go through the play-offs. During the summer transfer market the club moved cautiously, without making major changes. The most notable departure was that of German goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther who had been a mainstay of the squad in the last two seasons. In his place came experienced Robbin Ruiter from PSV. Left-back Fernando Lewis and striker Marios Vrousai have also left Tilburg, although both seldom played last season. They have been replaced by players coming from Bayern Munich B, young left-back Derrick Köhn and the interesting forward Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (who scored 69 goals in 96 matches with the German side). Perhaps Willem II's best transfer business was to have retained notable players such as young Mike Trésor.