Dutch women are looking for a new coach
Paul van Ass and the KNHB decided not to prolong their contract
The Dutch federation KNHB and Paul van Ass announce they will not renew their contract with together. Meaning the Dutch women will be looking for a new coach as of now.
Just 2 weeks ago they won Olympic gold together in Paris and the 64 year old coach is telling hockey.nl without any regrets:
It doesn’t get any better than this. For me, the role of national coach is challenging, interesting and sometimes complicated and difficult. At this stage of my coaching career, I don't see that for another four years. I also have my work as an entrepreneur outside of hockey. I also want to put time into that. I would have liked to stay a little longer if the association had wanted that. To do some matches in the Pro League, or something like that. Or maybe even the European Championships next summer. But that doesn't build anything. That would mainly be to look after the shop. That's not very chill, so it's actually better this way. They can now start building a group towards 2028. A new start, with a new coach.
Source: hockey.nl
Following the Tokyo gold the team told the KNHB they were not happy with the way the team was managed, even if it did won them gold in the Tokyo Games. The pressure was too high for some and things needed to change. Jamilon Mülders (GER) took over from Alyson Annan and changed the culture, while along the way winning World Cup gold with them. But Mülders always said he did not want the role of a head coach and would not continue after the World Cup.
Enter Paul van Ass, who admitted upon appointment he knew next to nothing about women’s hockey and did not know the majority of the Dutch players. But he is know as a team builder and therefore probably the right man at the right time to continue the work started by Jamilon Mülders in rebuilding the Dutch team. With his team van Ass won the Pro League, European gold and Olympic gold. But the next World Cup will be for another coach…