I feel 100 percent confident in Te Kloese's trust

Brian Priske feels fully supported at Feyenoord. The Danish coach seemed to be on the verge of dismissal but has regained some stability following the resounding victory over Bayern Munich. Ahead of the Champions League clash with Lille, he addressed the much-discussed situation.

I feel 100 percent confident in Te Kloese's trust
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Brian Priske feels fully supported at Feyenoord as the team gears up for their crucial Champions League match against Lille on Wednesday, January 29, at 21:00.

The Danish coach, who appeared to be on the brink of dismissal just days ago, has steadied the ship following Feyenoord’s emphatic victory over Bayern Munich. The win not only boosted morale within the squad but also reaffirmed Priske’s position, allowing him to shift focus toward the pivotal fixture against Lille. Reflecting on the past weeks during a press conference in France, Priske was candid about the challenges he has faced.

"That incredible win against Bayern was my best moment as a coach here," Priske admitted, with visible emotion. "The fans, the atmosphere, everything surrounding that match it was unforgettable. It’s been a very intense week, not just on the pitch but off it as well. Ideally, we’d only be talking about football, but the reality is that rumors about my future were swirling before the Bayern match. Despite that, we’ve worked hard to maintain focus on the next challenge, which is Lille."

Feyenoord’s preparation for the Lille match comes under the shadow of speculation about Priske’s relationship with the club’s hierarchy and staff. Yet, following the Bayern victory, the coach had a constructive meeting with Feyenoord’s director, Dennis te Kloese, which he says strengthened his position. "I feel 100 percent confident in his trust," Priske stated firmly. "I can’t say it any clearer than that. I feel the support of the entire club, including Dennis. We’ve always had a strong relationship, and that hasn’t changed. We’ve spoken a lot, not just this week. Even before the Bayern game, I felt his backing."

Priske also addressed ongoing rumors of internal discord, including alleged issues with assistant coach John de Wolf. In an effort to clarify his stance, Priske answered all questions in English to ensure his message was understood. "I try to be as clear as possible," he said. "There are a lot of rumors I’ve heard and read them. I don’t like it, and I won’t engage with them directly. As a person, I’m someone who gets angry at these things. I get angry because spreading rumors is not the right way to solve anything. It’s not professional, and it’s not fair to the people involved. I don’t like seeing journalists write about rumors without verifying their sources. And frankly, I don’t think the source behind these rumors has Feyenoord’s best interests at heart."

Despite the rumors, Priske highlighted the natural challenges of integrating a new coaching staff. "When a new staff comes in and works with existing members, there are, of course, challenges," he explained. "It takes time for everyone to blend and adapt. But we have a good relationship, and you can see us working together on the pitch. If I surrounded myself with people who only told me what Brian Priske wants to hear, I wouldn’t be able to develop the team or myself. I need different perspectives, even if they sometimes challenge me."

The Champions League match against Lille is a critical fixture for Feyenoord, with the Dutch side needing a positive result to maintain their campaign hopes. Priske acknowledged the importance of the game, emphasizing the team’s determination to build on their momentum. "We’re going to Lille with confidence but also humility," he said. "The players know what’s at stake, and the victory over Bayern has given us belief. However, Lille is a strong opponent, and we’ll need to be at our very best to get a result."

The rumors surrounding Priske’s future reached a peak on the day of the Bayern match, which he described as "surprising and distracting." Nevertheless, the coach is determined to rise above the noise and focus on the team’s performance. "I’ve always felt supported by the club," he reiterated. "The speculation caught me off guard, especially on a matchday, but we can’t let that affect our work. My focus is on preparing the team for Lille and ensuring we continue to progress."

For Feyenoord, the match against Lille represents an opportunity to solidify their position in the Champions League and showcase the resilience that carried them through a tumultuous period. For Priske, it’s a chance to prove his critics wrong and further strengthen the trust placed in him by the club’s leadership and fans. As Feyenoord steps onto the pitch in France, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on both the team’s performance and their coach’s ability to lead them through adversity.