Dennis Bergkamp: take it slow…

By: Jan | October 29th, 2008

Dennis and Marco… What a pic

Marco van Basten would like to stampede up the Mount Olympus with his Ajax, but the former Oranje manager starts to realize the best way forward is one step at a time.

Winning is a process and his former striking partners and assistant Dennis Bergkamp made it very clear to San Marco. This week the two had some indepth discussions and Bergkamp used his experience with Wenger to explain to Van Basten how things at Arsenal are handled.

Van Basten: “We were evaluating our recent games and Dennis told me how at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger looks at progress of young players in terms of seasons and not in terms of weeks. I need to adjust to that. With Oranje I worked with players who already arrived at the top and at AC Milan I worked with the best in the world. Dennis used to coach and guide the younger Gunners and that’s a different process althogether.”

He went on: “It’s fun and constructive to talk about differences and parallels and I realized my level of expectations could be too high for Ajax today. I tend to be impatient, while Dennis is a master in that. I don’t mind re-adjusting my objectives. As long as I work with lads that are willing and able and are open to my coaching. And that’s the case.”

Ajax will have to face Heracles on astro turf. The Ajax coach hopes to score his first victory away from Amsterdam. “Heracles is a good opponent for us. They try to play creative and fresh football, like us.” Chances are that Siem de Jong will again replace Gabri. The Spanish midfielder was subbed for De Jong in the last outing against NEC and the latter contributed with depth in his game. “It’s a tactical change. Gabri played well, but is a different type than De Jong. He wasn’t pleased when I told him, and I understand that. A guy of his status wants to play.”

(Ajax beat Heracles and Gabri came on in the second half to help change the game around)

Going to the Arsenal game? Find out how to get to North London and where to stay near Emirates Stadium.