FC Twente: Stern Judiciaries & Proof That Steve McClaren Isn’t Rubbish.

By: chris | December 1st, 2009

theojanssen_476688b Who, me?

Theo Janssen got himself in a spot of bother last week when he bumped cars after a Twente win over a week ago. As you may know, cars which are not bumper cars should not be bumped, and people were hurt. Theo was lucky in that he only broke his nose, but others were more hurt and one is still in the hospital.

As you may have also guessed, unfortunately, alcohol was in play. This is not good, not good at all, and unlike many clubs, Twente cracked down hard – very hard.

The verdict:

- Two months suspension
- Maximum fine allowed.
- Those two months must be spent working in a “centre for the victims of car crashes”.

This honestly seems like a court-type punishment, in itself is a great move by FC Twente – a club which has been making a lot of great moves this season.

Chairman Joop Munsterman said: “I have a fabulous name.”

No, that’s not what he said. His actual words were: “It is unacceptable for a professional footballer to drink and drive. It endangered himself and those around him. Also, a footballer has to be aware that he is a role model to young people.”

The statement on the club’s website said: “In consultation with FC Twente, Theo Janssen has decided to impose the maximum fine on himself within the player’s contract.”

Which, at least to me, reads a little something like: “You don’t have a choice, but we’ll help you aid the crippling damage you’ve done to your public image.”

Whether the punishment was handed down or handed over is moot; it’s just nice to see a professional footballer being treated as anything but.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, FC Twente are doing a few things. This is a Twente team which lost three of their best players – Edson Braafheid, Marko Arnautovic and Eljero Elia – to higher paid pastures and yet they’ve inexplicably gotten better. In fact they’re this year’s AZ at 11-2-0, tops of the table and keeping two teams with +27 and +37 differentials – those numbers are correct – in second and third, respectively. Ajax has scored 50 – FIFTY! – goals in 15 games, including 21 in their last 6, and the team from the city of 150k held Martin Jol’s high-flying circus act to precisely zero three weeks ago. They’re quite a bit better than good, in other words.

And why is that? Steve McClaren of course. For the second year in a row he’s working wizardry with a Twente side that never tasted the glory of being Dutch champions. Unfortunately, the way of the Eredivisie is to build up a player or coach and then ship them abroad once their britches become too big for the Dutch dikes to hold. Wanted by Ajax last summer, it would appear McClaren might have his choice of suitors whilst the world is playing attention to the Southern tip of Africa. So where to next for Steve’s wizardry?

I hear Fabio Capello’s contract could be coming up soon.