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Sam Tighe
Multiple Authors
NIJMEGEN, Netherlands — Nestled within a forest in Nijmegen’s Goffertpark, near the Dutch border with Germany, over 12,500 fans gather each week to experience some of the most unpredictable and daring football of 2026.
This seemingly tranquil setting has provided the backdrop for a remarkable story this year: N.E.C. Nijmegen is on the brink of their most triumphant season in 125 years—without a trophy in their cabinet—thanks to a whimsical majority investor, an eccentric manager, and a bold approach to attacking football.
“Crazy — that’s precisely the right term,” says N.E.C. supporter Stefan Verhagen. “In 62 years, I’ve never witnessed anything like it. Opponents come here petrified.”
N.E.C.’s style, which many might deem reckless, is a contemporary iteration of the “Total Football” philosophy pioneered by legends Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff at Ajax in the 1970s, which has long been a yearning of Dutch fans. Its essence is straightforward.
“Here, we kick the ball, we press forward — and we score,” notes another fan, Florian.
While embracing such an aggressive game plan might seem perilous, it has proven effective for N.E.C. Following a dramatic 1-1 draw on Saturday against Feyenoord—featuring a spectacular equalizer in the 97th minute—the club currently ranks third in the Eredivisie, three points ahead of Ajax, with just four matches left. Additionally, they are set to face AZ Alkmaar in the KNVB Cup final this weekend.
N.E.C.’s high-pressing, attack-oriented football creates a whirlwind experience for fans. Their matches consistently rank among the top three most-watched in the country, yet nothing compares to witnessing it live.
Into the Forest
Dutch football boasts three traditional powerhouses: Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV Eindhoven. Collectively, these clubs have claimed the majority of Eredivisie titles since its inception in 1956, and stories of significance are rarely attributed to other clubs.
Since their promotion back to the top tier in 2021, N.E.C. has primarily fought to stay out of the lower half of the standings, achieving modest finishes at 11th and 12th from 2021 to 2023. Their highest league finish came in 2003 when they completed the season in fifth place, and since then, they have experienced promotion and relegation twice.
This backdrop amplifies the significance of N.E.C.’s rise; it’s not just refreshing—it’s emerged from a much less glamorous context compared to Ajax’s sleek 55,000-seat Johan Cruyff Arena. To reach N.E.C.’s Goffertstadion, one must walk through a forest, passing training pitches that are easily accessible to the public—lacking barriers or covert hiding places, with training gear left unattended on the grass.
The stadium appears as you bend around a corner; compact, it seats around 12,500 and seems even smaller due to its sunken design, which features a concrete moat separating spectators from the pitch. Without a giant N.E.C. badge on its exterior, one could mistake it for a concert venue.
Inside the ground, signs remind visitors this is no opulent arena. A third dugout is positioned pitch-side for competition winners to sit almost beside the team benches, and players from N.E.C. wear boots that display evident wear and tear—indicative of athletes who aren’t treated like superstars who receive custom-fitted pairs for every match.
As the teams emerge for kickoff, the iconic theme of Fox NFL plays, signaling the chaos that follows the initial whistle.
Schreuder’s Way
N.E.C. has netted 74 goals in the Eredivisie this season, second only to PSV’s 84. However, their tally of 48 goals conceded puts them in contention with many relegation-threatened teams. Throughout 30 matches, N.E.C. has scored three or more goals 13 times while also conceding three or more on seven occasions.
This manic style of play reflects the vision of their audacious coach, Dick Schreuder.
With experience on coaching staffs at Barnet in England and the Philadelphia Union in MLS, Schreuder made his mark in the Netherlands in 2021, transforming a struggling PEC Zwolle side into an aesthetically pleasing team just short of safety.
He led Zwolle to promotion the following season, tallying an impressive 99 goals—including 13 in a single match against Den Bosch—before a curious move to Spanish third-tier side CD Castellón. His time there was brief but fruitful, and eventually, N.E.C. attracted him back in 2025 to usher in their own “Total Football” renaissance.
“Dutch fans cherish attacking football,” highlights Sjors Grol from ESPN NL. “Since the days of Cruyff and Michels, it’s held a special place. In an era where results overshadow performance, Schreuder is rediscovering that balance, evident in his success at three clubs in four years.”
“Currently, Schreuder can’t go wrong in Nijmegen. He’s delivered a level of futbol bliss the city never dreamed possible. Fans are enjoying not only success but the experience of watching the best football in the country.”
Attack, Attack, Attack
In a season dominated by powerhouses in the English Premier League, N.E.C.’s frenetic, high-pressing style feels like something out of a video game. Yet, their relentless pursuit of improvement on the training ground lays the foundation for their unique approach.
“It all comes down to intensity,” Sjors explains. “Players are kept on their toes throughout drills, ensuring they maintain top fitness. This season, N.E.C. has embraced attacking play like never before, fostering an immediate connection between fans and players—evidenced by 12 goals in the first three matches.”
Here, wing-backs serve as wingers, and attacking midfielders operate as virtual forwards, with midfielders eagerly joining the offensive on every opportunity. Although the formation might appear as a 3-4-2-1, it functions with a distinctively attacking philosophy, characterized by wide play—an instinct that echoes Schreuder’s days as a winger.
N.E.C. ranks third in the Eredivisie for open play crosses with 441 and second for attempted take-ons with 603, showcasing their relentless creativity. The interplay between players often confuses opponents as center-backs venture forward to create chaos.
If you can imagine the unpredictability, consider this—it’s not unusual for outside center-backs to find themselves deep in the opponent’s penalty box. When their runs disrupt the defense, it opens up scoring opportunities. On the right, center-back Eli Dasa often positions himself strategically beyond the play, exploiting gaps created by his winger’s movement.
This rotation fosters a fluid attacking unit where almost any player can occupy any position—except the goalkeeper, of course.
A salient example came during a February match against Sparta Rotterdam, where N.E.C. completed their third goal with six players in or near the box, demonstrating how often positions overlap and chaos reigns.
However, this aggressive forward approach poses risks in defensive phases. In their pursuit of possession, N.E.C.’s extreme brand of passing and movement can expose vulnerabilities when opponents launch quick counter-attacks.
Such risks are inevitable. By committing numerous players forward, N.E.C.’s defense must engage in high pressing to recover possession effectively. They excel in this regard, leading the Eredivisie for duels won (1,613), possessions won in the final third (165), and high turnovers forced (302). Yet when exploited, these defensive lapses can appear quite stark.
Schreuder acknowledges this gamble, maintaining that his squad can often regain control or simply outscore their rivals.
A Deathbed Promise
It is fitting that N.E.C.’s remarkable run is underpinned by a sense of courage—one that ostensibly emanates from the top.
Club investor Marcel Boekhoorn, a well-known figure without a public presence, made a promise to his father on his deathbed to care for the family’s beloved team. His financial backing ensures the club maintains stability devoid of player sales, allowing the coaching staff to concentrate on success.
This financial strength enabled N.E.C. to decline significant offers—€15 million from Ajax and €20 million from Nottingham Forest—for rising star midfielder Kodai Sano. These bids, unrefusable in previous seasons, could have undermined their memorable run but were easily turned down this time around.
Boekhoorn’s decision-making extends beyond financial matters. He thoughtfully entrusted his front office with the autonomy to flourish. Notably, he appointed Carlos Aalbers, revered as one of the best scouts in the Netherlands and with a knack for discovering top Asian talents.
Outside of football, Boekhoorn exhibits a penchant for the extraordinary. He campaigned for 16 years for the Chinese government to move pandas to his Ouwehands Zoo in Utrecht, achieving success in 2016 after a formal agreement with President Xi Jinping.
Not everything he touches turns to gold; he once faced embarrassment over a deal involving a rare white crocodile, which turned out to be a standard crocodile painted white.
“The players have always held Marcel in high regard,” Sjors points out. “His lifestyle resonates with them. A common topic among journalists is the experience new signings have with him upon arriving at the club—an essential introduction to their new life at N.E.C.”
“A figure unlike any other in Nijmegen, Boekhoorn’s involvement brings him the prestige required to support his hometown club’s ambitions, stemming from his heartfelt promise.”
Champions League Dreams
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Feyenoord—crucial to their Champions League aspirations—encapsulated their season. The match unfolded with N.E.C. conceding from a corner and narrowly avoiding a red card for center-back Philippe Sandler, who floundered in a last-man challenge.
Yet true to their volatile style, N.E.C. salvaged a dramatic equalizer in the 97th minute, sending the crowd into a frenzy as Schreuder withdrew defenders to chase a late goal.
Substitute Danilo, one of the forwards brought on, redeemed himself after a missed opportunity minutes earlier to secure the goal that broke Feyenoord’s resolve.
Coming from a history of conservative football, N.E.C. supporters are rapidly adapting to this exhilarating style, embracing every thrilling moment that unfolds. Danilo’s last-minute goal ignited a celebration that seemed never-ending, echoing well beyond the final whistle. When the match concluded, an overwhelming majority chose to stay at the Goffertstadion, as few cars were parked, and many fans opted to cycle to the game—so what was the rush to leave early?