De Graafschap-trainer Thomas Duivenvoorden is the new head coach of De Graafschap for the upcoming season. He learned the club well last season as an assistant to trainer Marinus Dijkhuizen. But now he can show what he's got. Ten questions to Thomas Duivenvoorden, who faces an enormous expectation pattern. How was it to work a year in the background? That was certainly nice. I had enough other things to do, such as the highest coaching education that I have completed. It was the agreement to work like that. What is your impression of this club? This is still a real football club. Also with a bit of a rough edge, full of emotion. But that really speaks to me. The club also has an enormous loyal fan base. I think that many clubs in the Netherlands will say that they have the most beautiful fans, but I think we are really at the top when it comes to that. So I'm proud to be working here. The club has now been playing in the first division for eight years in a row. That gives a bit of pressure. Yes, there is a significant expectation that it will finally go well for De Graafschap. Eight years is certainly too long, so I understand the ambition. But at the same time, it has been very difficult for the club to get out of the KKD. When you see which clubs have been relegated and what budgets they have, it's not easy. But we are going to build a recognizable team with an attacking playing style that hopefully can achieve something beautiful. Last season, you certainly had a significant role on the training sessions. Marinus Dijkhuizen also gave you that. What have we really seen from you? I have been able to bring in parts of my vision. That was with names in the attacking play of De Graafschap. We have created a lot of chances and played attractive and attacking football. This year, we want to take the next step. I love well-organized football, from behind and not from slow play. Did you find it pleasant to experience this first year in this way as an assistant to Marinus Dijkhuizen? Well, pleasant. I feel like a head coach and that's what I've always been, but that wasn't allowed because of the diploma either. But look, it was just a very clear situation. So I don't want to call it pleasant, but also not unpleasant. We have worked very well together and it has been a very useful year for me to prepare for the upcoming season. Do you have an influence on the transfer policy? Or do you leave that to the technical man Berry Powel? We work very intensively together and that has to do with the fact that I want to speak to every player who comes. I want to look him in the eye. Last season, a conscious choice was made for a young group with only two experienced players, who now both seem to be leaving. How will that be next season? We really need a few experienced boys to steer the team a bit. One of the pillars for next season is balance, so. It was also not the goal to set up a young group last season, that emerged a bit. There is always pressure here. The business club made an announcement: 'Come on, we're going for promotion'. Yes, I read it too. They may express that ambition and that's also good. This is De Graafschap and