Mommers to nurse ailing Vitesse
Friday, August 1, 2003
Article summary
SBV Vitesse have appointed Theo Mommers as their interim general manager amid new financial problems.
Article body
New shortage
The club were recently granted a licence for the coming season by the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) after securing a rescue package from the City of Arnhem. However, less than a month later, Vitesse are threatened by a new shortage of funds.
No sponsor
Disappointing season-ticket sales and the failure to find a sponsor are the main reasons for their problems and the KNVB have ordered the club to cut their budget again immediately. "It is completely unprecedented that a club are already in such deep trouble after getting their licence only last month," said KNVB spokesman Henk Kesler.
Tough task
The 40-year-old Mommers has a tough task getting Vitesse's survival plans back on track. However, he has a good track record, having previously saved another Dutch club, SC Fortuna Sittard, from bankruptcy. Mommers has also been aided by the decision of the current Vitesse board and their supervisory directors to step down with immediate effect.
