With Simon Kistemaker Netherlands last cult trainer | football
Kistemaker, born in IJmuiden, was the type of rough husk white pit. On the one hand he was hard on his players, on the other he could cry with them. The stamp of fighting football, which he always promoted, applied to all his teams. One of his players was Hans Kraay j. with whom De Kist had contact until just before his death. As well as with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag, who also built up a special bond with Kistemaker during their time in Doetinchem. From the Vijverberg, annual supporters began to visit Kistemaker’s house as a sort of pilgrimage.
Today biographer and De Telegraaf journalist Yoeri van den Busken wrote a high column on the NSP website. He wrote of the battle, which Kistemaker won first, and later the final of the grueling one. A year and a half ago he had lost his wife Thea to the same disease and he previous to go to the same hell as her.
Van den Busken writes that motivational artist Kistemaker was raw and uncomplicated, a high level of hugging and wars of political correctness. ‘If it’s shit, it’s shit’, was one of his winged remarks.
Simon Kistemaker as guest trainer
ⓒ HH/ANP
The way in which football is played at De Vijverberg is still the standard for the audience in the Achterhoek to this day. ‘The Creator of the Casketdom’, as he is explained about the followers sings: Si-mon Kiste-maker!!!. Something that is still used at every home game in memory of those years between 1989 and 1993 when De Graafschap was promoted to the Eredivisie.
Incidentally, the humor stayed with him until the last moment, Van den Busken experienced. ‘The Chest will be in the coffin in a few days. Cover and you’re done.’
With Kistemaker who could handle the best players and bring out the best in them.