NEC technical director Carlos Aalbers has explained the circumstances surrounding Kodai Sano’s departure for PSV, admitting the timing of the midfielder’s decision frustrated the Nijmegen club but insisting there is no lasting resentment.

Sano’s move to PSV became clear at the beginning of last month, when the Japanese midfielder was preparing to leave NEC and sign for the Eindhoven club.

The timing created an awkward situation for NEC. The Nijmegen side were preparing for their Champions League qualifying match against Olympiacos, and Sano was expected to feature for Dick Schreuder’s team in Greece.

However, on matchday, Sano decided to return to the Netherlands rather than travel with the squad. The decision caused significant frustration within the NEC hierarchy, given the importance of the fixture.

Despite that disappointment, Aalbers says the relationship with Sano has not broken down.

The NEC technical director revealed that he contacted Sano personally after the situation had unfolded and stressed that the midfielder had earned considerable goodwill during his time at the club.

“I later sent Kodai a proper message. He delivered a great performance for three years and behaved brilliantly. In the winter, we kept him here, and he settled in well. He then also made his contribution to achieving European football.”

Aalbers also acknowledged why Sano ultimately chose to make the move to PSV.

“Kodai is a great guy, really. And of course I understand what was going on in him. It’s a great step and he can now earn a lot more than he could at NEC.”

The NEC director also pointed to the difficult circumstances surrounding Sano’s previous transfer experiences. The midfielder had already endured disappointment during the winter before a proposed move to Hoffenheim subsequently fell through.

“Kodai had already experienced two disappointments, first in the winter and then with the deal with Hoffenheim being called off. Now his environment also had a lot of influence on him.”

While Aalbers sympathised with the player, he remained critical of the timing.

“I understood Kodai personally, but the timing was simply far from ideal. For us it was a historic match; then I just felt bad for the players, the coaching staff, and the supporters.”

Aalbers confirmed that the original agreement was for Sano to play against Olympiacos before completing his move.

“That was the agreement and that’s why I was in front of the camera after the match as well.”

As relayed by PSV Inside, the NEC director felt obliged to explain the situation publicly because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the transfer.

“I had to explain it from our side, otherwise supporters might have thought we had completely lost our minds. Which idiot negotiates for a star player on the day of the match?”

The experience has also changed how Aalbers intends to handle similar situations in the future.

“I’ve learned from it though. Next time, maybe we can carry those talks over beyond the match.”

Despite the unusual circumstances, Aalbers stressed that NEC does not hold a grudge against either Sano or PSV.

“Toward PSV and Kodai, there is absolutely no ill feeling, you know.”

Indeed, the two clubs have already continued doing business. NEC recently negotiated with PSV over winger Sami Ouaissa.

“We recently even negotiated with PSV about Ouaissa. We know how it works; in football, it’s sometimes a give and take.”

Sano has since moved on to PSV, where he has quickly established himself as an important part of Peter Bosz’s midfield. For NEC, the circumstances of his departure were difficult, but Aalbers’ comments make clear that the club ultimately views the episode as part of the realities of modern football.