‘Ajax nearing agreement with Mislintat’ – ‘Big clubs want Frimpong’

Depay backs Lukaku, who was treated racially

Memphis Depay has expressed his support on social media for Romelu Lukaku, who was repeatedly treated racially by Juve fans during the cup match with Juventus. The Oranje international updated his profile picture on Twitter to an image of Lukaku and called fellow footballers to action on Instagram.

“If we take action together we can really change this,” Depay wrote. “Then we can tackle this disease the way we should.”

Degradation looms for FC Groningen: ‘This club doesn’t belong in first division’

After 23 years, premier league soccer in the city and province of Groningen seems to be coming to an end. The local FC is experiencing a disastrous season and with seven games to go is in seventeenth place. A position that leads to relegation to the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. The difference with place sixteen, which still obliges to play nacompetitie, is already seven points.

It seems a difficult task to close that gap, especially when you consider that four of the seven opponents Groningen still has to face are in the left row. Still, there are fans with hope, judging by the optimistic letter that supporter Wiebe handed to Groningen coach Dennis van der Ree: “I have to help the boys.”

Interim coach Van der Ree, who is leaving after this season to make room for new head coach Dick Lukkien, appreciates the gesture.

But he also realizes that it is code red in Groningen: “Degradation is a disaster, this club does not belong in the first division. It is a big club that should play at least middle or higher in the premier league. For the people who put all the work into it and the supporters who are always there, away or at home, it would be a disaster.”

VI: ‘Ajax approaching agreement with Mislintat’

Ajax appears to be finally set to appoint a new technical director after a search of some 14 months. According to Voetbal International the Amsterdam club is close to an agreement with Sven Mislintat.

The 50-year-old German, formerly active in technical positions at Stuttgart, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, among others, will be Marc Overmars’ successor. Jan van Halst was already nominated yesterday as soccer commissioner for the rvc.