- News release
Coach Richard Smith leaves as HDM with immediate effect
Richard Smith steps down as head coach of HDM's men's team with immediate effect. By mutual agreement, the coach and the club have decided to end the collaboration. Assistant coach Pieter Pieterse will take over as head coach for the time being.
The drastic decision to break with Smith was taken with a view to the further development of the team at this crucial stage of the league, HDM's club management explained in a press release. HDM is ninth in the league table after 14 rounds of play and is getting closer to a ranking that threatens its premier league existence. The team only won two games this season.
Smith took over as head coach at the start of the season, after serving as assistant coach at Klein Zwitserland Men's 1. He succeeded Erik van Driel, who left for Rotterdam. Board member Nicole Heupers called the departure regrettable, but expressed her appreciation for Smith's commitment. The coach himself regrets the situation, but acknowledges that a different approach is needed to move the team forward.
