![Marcel reads his football weekly outside a chip shop with a cone of fries, next to a Pacific island map and a list of four assistants.]](https://horsjeu.be/wp-content/uploads/20261023-271d39-en-list.webp)
Robert Maaskant becomes head coach of Tuvalu. One-year contract. I read it at the chip shop, in my weekly. I read it twice.
Tuvalu is not a FIFA member. It will not play the qualifiers for the next World Cup. No VAR, then, I assume, at any point. I’m not criticising. I’m comparing. And the comparison flatters Tuvalu.
The first tournament is called the Four Nations Cup. January, in New Zealand. Four nations. A plain name that says what’s inside. No sponsor in the title. You don’t see that any more.
There were Dutchmen before him. Foppe de Haan, six matches in 2011. Leen Looijen in 2013. A small tradition. It’s as old as the giant screen, but a tradition all the same.
He has coached NAC Breda, Willem II, Groningen. He won the Polish title with Wisla Krakow in 2011. He brings one assistant, Thijs Matla, and works with two Tuvaluan assistants, Nabil Alefaio and Pasene Siale. A staff of four. I find that enough. In 1980, I would have said plenty.
The federation, TIFA, wants to develop the team and give the players a way to progress. I have no complaints. That’s rare.
“Four assistants, Marcel. I’ve got the club delegate.”
A year, though. Note that I’m not against short contracts. I’m against these ones, as a rule. This one, I’ll let pass. Well. It’s the times.
It’s true, we checked: NOS.
