SC Heerenveen has set a clear goal for the upcoming season: reach European competition by tightening the defensive foundation. Coach Robin Veldman stresses that the club, despite a budget that is not yet "European‑ready," wants to compete with the financially stronger teams.

What is the new ambition?

Heerenveen wants to continue last year's positive trend and is again targeting a spot in European tournaments. "We speak that ambition out loud," Veldman told the Leeuwarder Courant. The club currently sits 8th in the Eredivisie with 51 points, 14 wins, 9 draws and 11 losses, and a recent form of DLWWL. With 57 goals scored and 53 conceded, the margin is slim, but the focus now is on conceding fewer.

How is the defensive approach changing?

Veldman explains that the summer preparation will mainly address the defensive side. Last season Heerenveen often scored, yet allowed 53 goals. "We want to strengthen our foundation," he says. Training starts this week, emphasizing positional discipline, especially against amateur sides where Heerenveen previously attacked more. The aim is to break predictability and make opponents harder to defend against.

What does this mean for the season start?

The club has not yet secured big signings, but Veldman believes a solid defence will give attacking players more freedom. The most recent match ended in a 3‑2 loss to Utrecht on 21‑May‑2026, highlighting the need to limit defensive errors. If Heerenveen improves at the back, the team can pick up points faster and narrow the 33‑point gap to leaders PSV Eindhoven.

What challenges remain?

Financial constraints stay a limitation; the club cannot simply buy expensive players. Still, Veldman wants to take the fight to clubs with larger budgets. It’s a risk, but he argues it’s better than staying still. The next weeks will be decisive to see if the new approach pays off and whether Heerenveen can truly take a step toward Europe.