Due to Feyenoord’s victory over Go Ahead Eagles, the Rotterdam team is assured of second place. This means that Feyenoord will again be active in the group stage of the Champions League next season.
Ruud van der Knaap, commercial director of Feyenoord, is happy with achieving second place. “Security of the Champions League means a huge boost for the club,” said Van der Knaap in FC Rijnmond van Rijnmond. ‘The exact calculation still has to be made. I think it also depends on who ultimately qualifies. I expect that will amount to at least 35 million euros.’
It looks like Feyenoord will enter the Champions League without Arne Slot. The trainer is in negotiations with Liverpool FC. Van der Knaap is not concerned with the transfer himself, but he does hear things. ‘I’ll hear some more. We all work next to each other in a hallway. Then you sometimes hear something passing by. Everyone within the management team has their own responsibility. It’s up to the clubs. We’ll let you know when the time comes.’
Van der Knaap is asked whether he would grant Slot the transfer to Liverpool FC. ‘He has of course done very well at Feyenoord with a European final, a national title, the cup this season and another qualification for the Champions League. He also did this together with a very large team around him that works at 1908. I think we’re grateful for what he’s done.”
As a supporter, Van der Knaap is proud of Slot. ‘As a director you look at it a little differently. We would prefer to continue with him for another two years. He has signed a contract until the summer of 2026. We all have evil plans too. We also want to get better every day and he has proven that he can do that. Making players better and making the team perform better.’
