Not so long ago he was considered one of the crown princes in the Dutch coaching guild. Danny Buijs performed well at FC Groningen, was praised for his communication skills and reached the play-offs of European football with Groningen in two of three seasons.

But there was also criticism of his factual, somewhat nihilistic way of playing. Eyebrows were sometimes raised when his temper got the better of him, such as the time he knocked down Emmen’s defender Glenn Bijl.

‘Dutch Simeone’

He was dubbed the ‘Dutch Simeone’, a comparison to Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone, who Buijs associated with. In the end it’s all about winning, right?

This mentality perhaps suits Belgium better than the Netherlands. And so KV Mechelen seemed like a great alternative. In fact, the former top club – winners of the European Cup II in 1988 – offered Buijs an indefinite contract at the expense of Ajax.

After four months and twelve games, that time was over. KV Mechelen was fourteenth, just above the relegation line, and Buijs was fired on Monday.

“I’ve had the feeling a few times that it could happen during the season,” says Buijs calmly. “Two other coaches had already been fired in Belgium, partly because three clubs were directly relegated this year. If the results don’t come, people from the club suddenly drop things in the media. Texts like, “He’ll have to win a match soon or it’ll get worrisome.”

Look up and reflect

Buijs will use the coming time for his family to visit well-known players from the past and reflect. “I think it’s important to look in the mirror for yourself before blaming someone else. Of course I ask myself what I could have done differently.”

“For example, I started the season very chaotically. That was also due to all sorts of changes in the club and you can’t always do something about it.

What also didn’t help was that technical director Tom Caluwé, a former FC Utrecht and Willem II player among others, recently joined Club Brugge. “And that with a program that includes games against Club Brugge, Anderlecht and AA Gent. Then you know that if we don’t score points, things can get turbulent again.”

And so the contract was terminated indefinitely. “The advantage of such a contract is that there is something in return if I leave and if the club wants to get rid of me, then there is something in return. The term of a contract says little these days. But I organized my things well.”

Meanwhile, former Red Devil Steven Defour has taken the baton at the Achter de Kazerne, Mechelen’s stadium. If Defour lead his childhood sweetheart Malinwa, as the club is nicknamed, back to the top in Belgium, Buijs will be happy.

“I got so many reactions from players, from staff, from employees, from volunteers. Why shouldn’t I allow this club to do well? That would be very selfish and resentful? KV Mechelen is really a very nice club. I recommend every football fan to visit Mechelen: the football atmosphere there is really special.”