Van Hooijdonk in shock claim: Women in football lack credibility

Former Dutch footballer Pierre van Hooijdonk has made striking comments about the role of women in football. The remarks, made during an interview with Studio Voetbal, have sparked widespread debate.

Van Hooijdonk, who is also the father of Bologna’s striker, raised questions about the presence of women in men’s football. He described the football world as “arrogant”, expressing scepticism on the idea of a woman like Sarina Wiegman stepping into a male locker room, particularly one with players of the stature of Rafael van der Vaart.

Telling Studio Voetbal, he said, “For me, it’s a matter of credibility that you have towards your group of players. I’m not saying women don’t have credibility, but they have less than a man.”

Van Hooijdonk continued by expressing concerns about the potential impact of a female coach in the Premier League, especially in an away game scenario with a live audience. While he emphasised his belief in gender equality, he noted the significant effect it would have on the world of football.

In his words, “It seems that everything has to be broken these days. I think it can happen and it happens in many things in society, but a female coach in the Premier League… I think you’re really underestimating the effect that this will have on an away game with a live audience. For me, women and men are equal, but I only point out what impact it would have on the world of football. The world of football is not society.”