First impressions are always important and we can say that we were impressed by Nicky’s direct answers, love of the game and determination to succeed by working hard and giving nothing less than 100%.
As Rob Edwards said, as he gamely held our tape recorder in the freezing cold in the stand, it might seem a left-field appointment but we applaud him for making a big decision in the interests of Haverfordwest County.
Nicky – PembrokeshireSport would like to warmly welcome you to our county – could you outline your philosophies and what you have already described as your shared values?
I have seen some matches on television and although I like to play positive football we must be ready to adapt to the circumstances of each match and it goes without saying that I want total commitment from everyone for the full 90 minutes.
It is no secret that I like to play the ball out from the back and have seen that in some matches the fear of losing has meant that a great deal of effort has been made in long clearances which allow opponents to immediately go on the attack.
I want a higher footballing culture mind-set where direct play is important but we must look to retain the ball more because if we have the ball they can’t score.
We need to lose the fear of defeat because although it is obviously a results-based game if everyone plays to their very best I can’t ask for more.
This is your first visit to the Bridge Meadow Stadium – what are your thoughts about it?
It is a nice stadium and a small stadium but that is no problem for me because the playing surface is good although it is what I would call an ‘external factor’ because it is the players who are the most important.
I have played many times in much bigger stadia and in front of bigger crowds but what I want to see is our ground starting to fill up with local football fans because they have come to see a team playing good football and winning matches as a result.
The chairman has huge aspirations and I already share those dreams without any pressure being put upon me. I know we are not in a strong position at the moment but there are some talented players here and there are plenty of games to work at that - and once I am installed my first job is to instil more confidence and self-belief.
I’m not a shouting person on the touchline and will never have a go at players if they are doing their best.
Could you tell us a little about your own playing days?
It started in 1999, when I set out in the academy at my home town of Sint-Truiden and I made my first team debut when two players were injured and I was given my chance, playing there for nine seasons at the highest level of Belgian football.
After departing my home club in 2008, I went to The Netherlands to play for RBC Roosendaal, and learned a great deal there; then came back to be part of an ambitious plan at Oud-Heverlee Leuven, where the aim was to achieve success in two years – and we managed to gain promotion to the top league in our very first season.
I think I played my best football there but after nine games I badly damaged ligaments and was out for ten months – an awful time.
When I came back I went to Antwerp, which was a sleeping giant waiting to be woken up, on loan, but was only able to play at about 90% and it was OK but I learned there that only 100% is good enough, before hanging up my boots at Dender and going in to management at a relatively young age.
That leads us on nicely to our next question – can you tell us about your managerial experience?
Of course. I started as player/manager at Dender in the Belgian Third Division in 2013 to gain experience and then had a three-year spell with former club Sint-Truiden, where I initially began work as the Under-18 Manager, before taking over as Caretaker Manager and then Assistant Manager of the Belgian Pro League side.
My final club in Belgium was Waasland-Beveren and sandwiched in between I also gained valuable experience in the role of assistant manager to Marc Brys with Al Read SC in Saudi Arabia and gained a great deal of understanding about the need to respect different cultures and not try to impose my own.
This will help at Haverfordwest County because I have no intention of charging in and trying to change everything. Any change will be gradual and after discussion with a whole range of people, from the chairman to players.
I want to meet everyone at the club, look at all the positives first and become part of the culture here in Wales whilst bringing what I hope will be value-added from my previous work in management.
Do you see the club’s academy having a key role to play in the club’s development?
Of course. I have already been involved in this area and know its importance. I will work closely with Academy boss Gary ‘Waggy’ Richards and aim to see plenty of local players joining us and eventually making it a real county team.
We will aim to get them to share our belief about commitment to the club and it will be the same with new players, who must share that philosophy from the start.
There are already some excellent players who have pushed their way in from our academy and another five who are beginning to knock on the door so I want others to know that the door will always be open to local players who want to make the transition from local to national level.
You have seen your current squad on television. What are your thoughts?
I have also observed a training session, although I couldn’t get involved until my clearance for work comes through, and I could see that the overall squad strength is good but I need to change the mind-set of some because I will want to see my team play without fear.
They will be safe in the knowledge that mistakes are bound to happen but as long as they are honestly made and not regularly repeated they will only get encouragement from me.
They will quickly understand my thoughts on high standards after my 90% play at Antwerp, which hadn’t been criticized but I knew wasn’t what I wanted.
I want high fitness levels and in training sessions there will always be a competitive aspect alongside looking to develop skills and understanding of tactics – and an element of fun too, if that is possible.
What are your aims as you take on new challenges in a new country?
People have mentioned how hard it must be without family here but like me they are committed to football and I won’t have time to be lonely because I love working long hours and look forward to focussing on the football.
I won’t want to be distracted by golf or other things but I want to get to know the area well, meet as many people in the community as I can so that I won’t be known as ‘that Belgian coach’ but a coach from Belgium who lives and breathes Haverfordwest County.
When I eventually leave, I want them to remember I was the first Belgian manager in Wales – but only in a positive way at a club which plays good football in front of large crowds that have loads of families involved.
That will do nicely for me!
