Agent Says No Town Contact With Dutch Boss But Aware of Rumours
Saturday, 8th Apr 2017 12:33

Maurice Steijn, the manager of Dutch side VVV-Venlo, has emerged as a potential candidate to succeed Mick McCarthy if the Town boss moves on in the summer. Steijn’s agent says he has heard of the Blues’ apparent interest “through the grapevine” but says there has so far been no contact.

Steijn and VVV are all but certain to be confirmed as champions of the Jupiler League (Dutch second tier) with a lead of eight points and only five games remaining.

The 43-year-old took over as manager a VVV in the summer of 2014, having been sacked by ADO Den Haag in the February of the same year.

Steijn had been a midfielder with ADO as well as NAC Breda and FC Kranenburg during his playing days. He returned to ADO to start his coaching career and progressed through the ranks to become their first-team boss in 2011.

His agent, Rodger Linse, says he has heard whispers of Town’s interest but up to now no more than that.

“I heard through the grapevine also that Maurice is mentioned as a candidate at Ipswich Town, but there has been no contact,” he said.

Linse says Steijn has enjoyed his time with VVV making progress year on year: “In his time as coach of ADO Den Haag Maurice lacked the support of the technical management and the board. He therefore had to do a lot of work that really was not in his job description.

“At VVV-Venlo he has had the support of the technical management and the board, and therefore he could build a team.

“In the first year that led to qualification for the play-offs, as they did in the second season when VVV finished second behind Sparta Rotterdam, the champions. And this season the dream of the title is probably coming true.”

Steijn is contracted to VVV for another year but with his deal allowing him to move on if he is offered the prospect of making a step up financially or football-wise. However, talks regarding a new contract are planned.

“Soon there will be talks anyway, because the board of VVV wants to renew his contract,” Linse added.

Current Blues boss McCarthy has another year on his Blues contract - with the club having an option for a further two seasons - but he has said he will considering his future once Town are safe and having talked to owner Marcus Evans.

Given McCarthy’s possible departure, Town are likely to be looking around for potential successors.

Photo: TWTD

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BillBlue added 14:46 - Apr 8 A rumour, no more. There are some excellent young managers in the lower reaches of the EFL, all they need is an opportunity. Look at the foreign players and managers in the Premiership, far, far, too many. Let us get English football back to being English football after its destruction by Sky and only allow two foreign players per team.
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stevieiriswattii added 14:54 - Apr 8 Is he alive? Check. Sign him up.
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Taricco_Fan added 15:24 - Apr 8 Yeah, why not. I'd rather take a chance on a fresh face rather than the usual merry-go-round of tried and tested managers at this level. I think our next manager should be a young, ambitious one with new ideas, whether that be a British coach from the lower leagues or a foreigner.
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DurhamTownFan added 17:12 - Apr 8 Just trying to think... have we ever had a non-British manager? Would be our first, I think?
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wherescounago added 19:11 - Apr 8 Denial hey!!! Well I have contacts in The Netherlands and this man is highly rated and going places. There are strong rumours that ITFC have in fact sounded him out but his choice, if true, will be competing in the Eredivise or struggling in the wrong end of The Championship. By the way Benya scored again for Aldershot!!
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Town_Jewells added 22:34 - Apr 8 Might only be good until March 2019, then there could be work permit issues post Brexit.
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Nthsuffolkblue added 00:38 - Apr 9

Durham, depends on whether Irish fits as British. McCarthy and Keane are from the Republic so would only fit in the broadest sense of the term whereas Magilton would fit with belonging to Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Mick O'Brien represented both Northern Ireland and the Republic. I am sure we have never had a manager whose nationality is outside the British Isles. Wherescounago I would suspect his choice would depend on whether he felt he would be given the financial backing he would want in each case. Although the Brexit issue could be a dissuasive factor. I would like to think that someone who would have been working here for over a year would be able to get one, though.

cobboldblue added 11:04 - Apr 9 @MartinLondon Totally agree with your comments. People please show a bit of respect for MM the man. I get it that lots of you want a change but please leave personal abuse out of your posts, its not nice and its unnecessary.
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cobboldblue added 11:08 - Apr 9 Sorry, to clarify, I am referring to the 12th post on this thread by MattinLondon
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pragmatic added 16:41 - Apr 9 Plenty of deluded opinions i.e. "The brothers" at lincoln get real if mcarthy goes has to be replaced with someone who can manage in championship,
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bubbybiue added 20:58 - Apr 9 We have never been let down by the Dutch , I believe this would take us back to playing good football on the floor that we have been use to seeing from the 80s and getting the fans back into the ground 100% behind it if it happens.
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