In a shocking turn of events, Feyenoord have announced the departure of head coach Brian Priske just 48 hours before their crucial Champions League playoff match against AC Milan. The Dutch club made the announcement via their official social media channels, citing inconsistent results and a lack of harmony as the reasons for the split.
Despite Feyenoord’s impressive Champions League campaign, which included notable results such as a 3-3 draw with Manchester City and a 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich, their domestic form has been disappointing. The team currently sits in fifth place in the Eredivisie, 12 points behind leaders Ajax, a gap deemed too large by the club’s board.
Dennis te Kloese, Feyenoord’s general and technical director, expressed his disappointment in the decision: “It’s a great disappointment for all parties involved to have come to this decision. Although Feyenoord achieved notable results in the UEFA Champions League with Brian, performances have been too inconsistent in recent months, and unfortunately, we have seen too little structural progress.”
Te Kloese added, “As a professional and as a person, I still have great respect for Brian. Sometimes, however, you have to recognize that despite everyone’s good intentions, things don’t work out, and at some point, there is no longer the necessary support to continue.”
The club has announced that Priske’s assistants, Lukas Babalola Andersson and Björn Hamberg, will also be leaving with immediate effect. Feyenoord plans to appoint an interim coaching staff by tomorrow, just in time for the high-stakes match against Milan.
This sudden change leaves Feyenoord in a precarious position as they prepare to face AC Milan in the Champions League playoff. The match will also mark a return to Rotterdam for former Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez, now playing for Milan, adding another layer of intrigue to an already dramatic situation.
