Robert Maaskant came to Wisła Kraków in August 2010 from the Dutch club NAC Breda. He worked in Poland for a relatively short time, until November 2011. But he still went down in the history of the Polish league and was remembered fans. In his first season at Wisła, he became the Polish champion. In the next match, he was just a few minutes away from maintaining the favorable two-legged result against APOEL and advancing to the Champions League.
The former Wisła coach paid from his own pocket to work in Krakow
Maaskant himself feels sentimental about Wisła and Krakow. He regularly visits the capital of Lesser Poland. – I visit Krakow at least once a year and I am still recognizable to this day! It's a really special feeling. I come to Krakow with my children – he said in an interview with TVP Sport.
When Wisła chose the Dutchman as their future coach, they had to act quickly and convincingly. Maaskant was open to cooperation, but NAC Breda was not willing to let him go. – Everything happened extremely quickly. The first contact from Wisła was on Wednesday, August 18, and on Saturday, August 21, I met with president Bogdan Basałaj in one of the cafes on the market square in Krakow. It was my first stay in this city and on the same day I signed a two-year contract – he recalled.
Maaskant didn't quite know how to resolve the issue of separation from Breda. In an interview, he admitted that he personally bought his contract in Breda with his own money. The media then thought that Wisła paid for Maaskant's contract. Basałaj denied it, and today the Dutchman confirms his version.
– I paid NAC Breda a lot of money to coach Wisła Kraków. I did it myself. I was concerned because I had to terminate the contract with Breda and I had not yet signed an official contract with Wisła. I consulted everything with my lawyers. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions. NAC Breda was my club. Anyway, I went back there later. My desire to fight for the Polish championship won games In Champions League. Wisła was in a difficult situation when I signed the contract, but I needed such a challenge – he admitted.
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The Dutchman still follows the fate of Wisła. He spends the third season in a row in 1. Leagueis thinking about fighting for promotion again. This time, the goal of returning to the top league is to be achieved. At the halfway point of the competition, Wisła is in seventh place, two points behind the playoff spot.
– I am still in contact with Jarek Krzoska (former team manager – ed.), I was shocked when I learned about his dismissal – added Maaskant.
Today, Robert Maaskant is an advisor in the BSV Boeimeer team.