Wednesday, 5th June, 2013
New Royal Antwerp coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has labelled the club "sleeping giants" and vowed to lead them back into the Belgian top flight as quickly as possible, pointing to Sir Alex Ferguson as an inspiration.
The former Chelsea and Leeds striker has joined the club in what is his first managerial role – and it is one he is clearly relishing.
"I want to take Antwerp back up to the top flight", he explained at the press conference which saw him presented.
"I want attacking, attractive, but also winning football. And I really don’t think there is a better club to take on such a challenge."
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Hasselbaink is aiming to follow in the footsteps of former Manchester United boss Ferguson, explaining he must start somewhere and is hungry to improve at a club he feels have much potential.
"You have to start somewhere", he said.
"I am still learning every day, like Alex Ferguson. He changes his ideas every day.
"Antwerp are a sleeping giant, but it’s never too late to wake up."
Hasselbaink enjoyed a successful playing career as a striker, really coming to prominence at Leeds United before he joined Atletico Madrid in 1999.
The Dutchman then returned to England with Chelsea, where he continued his goalscoring ways.
At international level Hasselbaink won 23 caps for Holland, scoring nine goals.
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