Sports
Eredivisie 2024/25 Preview: SC Heerenveen
SC Heerenveen look to be in a transition period. A managerial switch from Kees van Wonderen to legendary forward Robin van Persie in his first senior coaching role has brought with it immense excitement and the former goal-scorer will need to bring more goals into De Superfriezen’s style as they got lost in the mid-table vacuum. Van Persie’s arrival could go one of two ways, yet with his experience as assistant coach at Feyenoord and as head of the club’s under-18 and under-19 sides, his appointment looks like a wise one so far.
“I would like to continue my development and the role of head coach fits in perfectly with that goal. I am therefore pleased with the opportunity that Heerenveen offers me.
“Heerenveen is a very nice Eredivisie club with a rich tradition and loyal supporters.
“It is a fantastic challenge to contribute to the sporting ambitions and development of the club as head coach.”
Last season’s position: 11th
Transfers In: Danilo Al-Saed (Sandefjord), Amara Conde (1.FC Magdeburg), Levi Smans (VVV-Venlo), Sam Kersten (PEC Zwolle), Mateja Milovanovic (Ajax), Luuk Brouwers (FC Utrecht), Ilias Sebaoui (Feyenoord, Loan)
Transfers Out: Osame Sahraoui (LOSC Lille), Pelle van Amersfoort (Al-Shahania SC), Sven van Beek (Al-Shahania SC), Syb van Ottele (Fortuna Sittard), Djenahro Nunumete (FC Emmen), Thom Haye (Released), Anas Tahiri (Released)
Overview: Looking to adapt this season, Heerenveen have already made a number of interesting signings in reaction to some important players moving away.
Exciting prospect Osame Sahraoui, who grabbed eight goals and assists last term, has moved to Lille for a princely sum of €8m. Another threat, Pelle van Amersfoort, scored ten goals last season as the Friesland club finished just outside the top ten. He has moved to Qatari club Al Shahaniya, along with centre-back Sven van Beek.
Some expectation will rest on the shoulders of Ion Nicolaescu, who scored five in 19 in his debut Eredivisie season after his arrival followed a prolific stint with Beitar Jerusalem in Israel. More bedded in this term, a solid scoring output for the 25-year-old Moldovan striker will be more than helpful, and he could thrive under the attacking nous of Van Persie. Daniel Karlsbakk was handed the number nine jersey last term, yet repaid the faith with just one league goal in 16 appearances. The Norwegian youngster could be another beneficiary of RVP his season if his abilities are truly realised.
Luuk Brouwers was another who had a solid enough first season with the club following his initial loan move from Utrecht. The now-permanent midfielder scored six and assisted two in 28 games, yet the hope will be that he can surpass those numbers in 2024-25.
While Sahraoui’s exit will still be a huge loss for Heerenveen, the loan signing of 22-year-old Belgian winger Ilias Sebaoui could fill the gap if he hits the ground running. More exciting moves arrive in the shape of 21-year-old Levi Smans from VVV Venlo. He scored nine and assisted seven in the second division last term and could be a key component at the offensive end of the pitch. Winger Danilo Al-Saed is another who could flourish this season. Over the past two Eliteserien seasons with Sandefjord, the Iraq international found the back of the net 13 times, with five assists in 39 all-competition games.
Amara Conde from Magdeburg could be a useful tool in 2024-25, bringing industry in the middle of the park with progressive passes and successful take-ons, as well as confidence in movement and pass completion. He could be a vital link between a hopefully improving defence and an attack that grows in self-belief.
At the back meanwhile, Mateja Milovanovic and Sam Kersten’s arrival look to help fix how many the team concede. Last season, Heerenveen conceded 70 goals, dwarfing their 53 scored by 17. That’ll need to change if they are to climb the table in any capacity. From a brief scan of social media, it looks as if Van Persie’s style is steadily rubbing off well on his new club.
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