Fresh off a move to Borussia Dortmund, the rejuvenated midfielder embraces a tactical shift under Xavi while dismissing past friction to focus on his international redemption.
Joey Veerman has no intention of looking back at his difficult period with former Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman, with the midfielder focused on making a fresh start under Xavi Hernández.
Veerman has returned to the Netherlands squad after two years away. Following Euro 2024, Koeman no longer selected the former PSV midfielder, but he insists that period is now firmly behind him.
“I made a great transfer, and this is a new beginning with the Netherlands national team for me, so why would I look back on that? That makes no sense at all,” Veerman told ESPN.
The 27-year-old left PSV for Borussia Dortmund last month after five seasons in Eindhoven. He has quickly settled into life in Germany and has started regularly for his new club.
“It has been great for me that after five beautiful years at PSV I can now play at Dortmund. I am very happy about it,” Veerman said. “I went over there with my family, I’m training well and I’m in the starting lineup so far. So I’m a happy man.”
Veerman has also noticed a clear difference between the Eredivisie and Bundesliga, particularly in the intensity of the game.
“I adjusted pretty quickly. The training is different, a different intensity. You do notice it: in the German league it is indeed different, yes,” he explained.
He highlighted the intensity of pressing and one-on-one battles as key differences, while admitting he is still learning how to find the right spaces in his new midfield role.
With Xavi now in charge of Oranje, Veerman has also been encouraged by the Spaniard’s footballing approach.
“He tries to talk a lot about the style of play. A lot of it is about possession. That sounds good at least,” Veerman said. “We’ve now had two meetings and it’s just been a lot about the football side. That’s good, I think.”
Veerman is hoping to operate in his familiar role as one of two holding midfielders.
“I have no idea. I haven't spoken to him yet. I play in Germany with two number sixes. That's my position. I hope I can also get a few minutes here in that position,” he added.
Veerman expects PSV to become Eredivisie champions again this season, despite Peter Bosz’s side suffering their first competitive defeat against FC Twente.
PSV have won the Eredivisie title in each of the past three seasons under Bosz, with Veerman playing an important role in their success before completing his move to Borussia Dortmund last month.
The midfielder continues to follow his former club in Germany and believes their summer recruitment has given them enough quality to challenge for another championship.
“The match times in Germany are convenient for watching PSV. Things went wrong on Sunday against FC Twente, but I think they generally play good football and they score a lot of goals,” Veerman told Voetbal International.
“That is also logical; they have signed good players. I think PSV will be champions again this season.”
Veerman has also made a strong start to life at Dortmund, performances that have helped him return to the Netherlands setup after being out of the picture since the 2024 European Championship under former coach Ronald Koeman.
The midfielder is now preparing for his return to Oranje and is looking forward to facing Germany, with whom the Netherlands begin their latest international campaign.
“I hope we’re going to play nice, exciting football. And of course it’s great that we start against Germany,” Veerman said.
The former PSV midfielder revealed that the fixture has already been discussed inside the Dortmund dressing room with Germany internationals Felix Nmecha and Nico Schlotterbeck.
“In the dressing room at Dortmund, we’ve already talked about this match, with Felix Nmecha and Nico Schlotterbeck. It’s great that I’ll run into them again after just a few days. It’s good to be back with Oranje,” he added.
