Antwerp is not going for an interim break with Oosting, at least that is not the intention. The new T1 was offered a contract for two and a half years, until mid-2028. In this way, his agreement is longer than that of his compatriot and director of football affairs Marc Overmars, who is currently contracted until 2027. Oosting is the third Dutch T1 under Overmars’ reign, after champion maker Mark van Bommel and Andries Ulderink, who was an interim pope.
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Successes with Twente
Oosting gained experience as a T1 with the Dutch first division teams RKC Waalwijk and FC Twente. With the club from Enschede he finished third behind Feyenoord and national champion PSV in 2024. Last season he spent the winter with the Tukkers in the Europa League, but he was unable to win European football again. This season things quickly went wrong. After three defeats in the first four matches, the Twente board decided at the beginning of September to dismiss Oosting. His unemployed period did not last long. After ignoring an offer from Heracles Almelo in the meantime, he now decided to take up the challenge of resuscitating Antwerp.
Oosting brings a Dutch assistant with Nicky Hofs (42). Peter Uneken was still his right-hand man at his previous clubs RKC and Twente, but he became head coach at VVV Venlo in October. While Oosting never made it to the Eredivisie as an attacker, Hofs did. The former midfielder collected 247 matches in the Dutch top flight. He played for Feyenoord and Vitesse, among others. Afterwards he became a youth coach in Arnhem and then assistant coach with the first team.
Orange staff
The other assistants will continue to work at Antwerp, which means that the staff – just like in the early days of Overmars at Antwerp – will turn a brighter Orange color again. Oosting and Hofs join two other Dutchmen in the coaching corps – assistant Robert Molenaar and video analyst Alex Abresch.
December will not be a gift month for Joseph Oosting at Antwerp: “But if you win one of those toppers, then the fire will start again”
Oosting’s term of office does not start until Monday, December 1. Faris Haroun will lead the troops at arch-rival Club Brugge on Sunday. Due to the meager 5 out of 30, Antwerp urgently needs points to get away from fourteenth place. Oosting’s assignment will not be easy. After Bruges, Genk (home), AA Gent (away), Anderlecht (home) and Zulte Waregem (home) are still waiting for the New Year. In between – next Wednesday – there is also the 1/8th final in the cup against STVV, which should save the season.