SC Heerenveen in the winter break: what Van Overeem really said
Heerenveen sit in eighth place in the 2025/26 Eredivisie after 30 games with 44 points and a +3 goal difference (53 scored, 50 conceded). Sipke van Overeem’s side ended the winter break on a run of three matches without a win, but the head coach remains upbeat about what lies ahead.
Van Overeem, who remarked during the winter break that certain choices could have been made, gave a fresh update on his outlook. 'I told them in the winter break, but...', he responded when asked about his earlier comments. The coach stressed that despite patchy form, the club has built a solid foundation for the second half of the season.
Why these remarks matter now
The winter break brought both calm and tension for Heerenveen. With 12 wins, eight draws and ten losses from 30 games, the team remains stuck in mid-table, 30 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven. Van Overeem points out that ambitions are high, yet reality often falls short.
The head coach explained that some of his winter-break remarks had been taken out of context. 'It’s not about what I said, but how we perform', Van Overeem said. He underlined that the squad must keep improving, regardless of any comments from the dugout.
What’s next for Heerenveen?
Heerenveen’s next test is an away trip to Fortuna Sittard on 29 November 2026. The side, currently twelfth in the table, will need to grind out points to hold their mid-table perch. With a +3 goal difference and a defence that sometimes wobbles, every match remains vital.
Van Overeem insists the focus is on the games ahead. 'We have a plan and we’re going to execute it', he said. The question is whether the team can rediscover its rhythm after a tough start to the campaign.
