Jong PSV
Jong PSV, officially known as Jong PSV Eindhoven, is the reserve team of the professional Dutch football club PSV Eindhoven, founded in 1913 and based in Eindhoven, Netherlands.[1] It serves as a development squad for young players transitioning to the senior team, competing in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie (Eerste Divisie), the second tier of Dutch football, since the 2013–14 season.[2] The team plays its home matches at De Herdgang, a training facility with a capacity of 2,500 spectators.[3] Established as part of PSV's youth and reserve structure, Jong PSV provides a competitive platform for academy graduates and loaned-in talents to gain professional experience, with no eligibility for promotion to the Eredivisie as per league rules for reserve teams.[2] Over the years, it has produced notable players who have progressed to PSV's first team or other top European clubs, contributing to the club's renowned youth development system. The squad typically features players under 23 years old, emphasizing tactical alignment with PSV's senior squad under the guidance of academy coaches.[1] In recent seasons, Jong PSV has maintained a competitive standing in the Eerste Divisie, focusing on player development rather than titles, while occasionally integrating with PSV's broader campus facilities at De Herdgang for training and matches.[2] As of the 2025–26 season, the team boasts a young roster with an average age of 19.3 and a mix of Dutch and international talents.[1]Background
Establishment
Jong PSV serves as the reserve team of PSV Eindhoven, originating from the club's establishment as a sports association for Philips employees in 1913. The team was created to provide a platform for young talents and company workers to develop their skills in an amateur setting, aligning with PSV's initial focus on fostering internal talent within the Philips community.[4] Initially operating as an amateur side, Jong PSV participated in regional leagues during the early years of Dutch football, emphasizing player preparation for the senior squad before the nationwide professionalization in 1954. This structure allowed for the integration of emerging players into competitive matches, contributing to PSV's overall youth development system. Early matches for the second team were held in regional competitions, such as those against local rivals in the southern Netherlands, including EVV Eindhoven around 1911.[5][6] Key figures in the early 1950s included trainer Sam Wadsworth, who oversaw PSV's coaching during this period, as the club achieved success in the 1950–51 season.[6]Role in PSV system
Jong PSV functions as the reserve team within PSV Eindhoven's structured youth development system, acting as an essential intermediary between the under-19 academy squad and the first-team professionals. This integration enables young players to transition gradually into senior-level competition by participating in the Eerste Divisie, where they can apply skills honed in the academy while receiving coaching aligned with the club's emphasis on technical proficiency, tactical awareness, and personal growth.[7] Player eligibility for Jong PSV adheres to KNVB regulations for reserve teams (belofteteams), requiring field players to be 23 years of age or younger in the relevant season; goalkeepers may be up to 25 years old.[8] As a key component of PSV's talent pipeline, Jong PSV contributes significantly by providing a direct pathway for promotion to the senior team, with many academy graduates making the step up after gaining match experience in the reserves. Training sessions are fully integrated at De Herdgang, PSV's dedicated campus, where reserve players share facilities and resources with youth and first-team squads to foster a seamless developmental continuum.[9]History
Early years
Jong PSV, the reserve team of PSV Eindhoven, emerged as a key component of the club's youth development during the post-World War II era, participating in regional amateur competitions within the Dutch football structure. While the senior team transitioned to professional status in 1954, the reserve team provided essential match experience for young players in lower-tier amateur leagues throughout the 1950s and 1960s.[10] Throughout the amateur era up to the late 1980s, Jong PSV grappled with challenges such as limited financial resources, which restricted infrastructure and scouting efforts, and a strategic emphasis on loaning promising players to the senior PSV squad to bolster its competitive edge in the Eredivisie.[10] This focus on player integration often disrupted team continuity but contributed to the overall success of PSV's first team, particularly during its golden era in the 1970s when reserve graduates played pivotal roles in European campaigns.Professional development
Jong PSV transitioned to the Reserve Teams Eredivisie in the 1992–93 season as part of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB)'s initiative to establish a structured national league for reserve teams, aimed at enhancing youth development across top clubs.[11] This move marked a shift from regional amateur competitions to a more organized professional pathway, allowing reserve squads like Jong PSV to compete regularly against peers from other Eredivisie sides, fostering tactical maturity and competitive experience for emerging talents. The league was renamed the Beloften Eredivisie in the 2000–01 season.[12] In 2013, the KNVB expanded the Eerste Divisie from 18 to 20 teams following the bankruptcies of AGOVV Apeldoorn and SC Veendam, inviting reserve teams including Jong PSV to join alongside amateur clubs Achilles '29 and FC Oss.[13] This entry in the 2013–14 season elevated Jong PSV to semi-professional status within the second tier, though reserve teams were explicitly ineligible for promotion or relegation to maintain competitive balance and focus on development.[10] The integration provided PSV's young players with exposure to professional environments, including higher physical demands and match intensity, while ending prior loan arrangements with local clubs like FC Eindhoven.[13] Throughout the 2010s, Jong PSV navigated challenging seasons in the Eerste Divisie, often engaging in relegation battles that tested their resilience despite immunity from actual demotion. For instance, in 2014–15, they finished 14th, narrowly avoiding the lower echelons amid inconsistent performances and squad rotations.[14] Their best campaign came in 2018–19, securing 3rd place with 18 wins and 63 points, highlighting effective youth integration and scoring prowess.[11] Conversely, the 2019–20 season saw them end 18th, grappling with injuries and form dips that underscored the adaptation struggles to professional rigors like fixture congestion and opponent scouting.[14] These experiences have refined Jong PSV's role in PSV's academy, emphasizing mental toughness and seamless transitions to the senior team.[10]Facilities
Stadium
De Herdgang, located in Eindhoven, Netherlands, serves as the home stadium for Jong PSV.[15] Opened in 1952 as PSV Eindhoven's primary training complex, it has functioned as Jong PSV's venue for home matches since the 2014–15 season.[16][4] The facility features a capacity of 2,500 spectators and includes multiple pitches utilized for both competitive games and daily training sessions.[15] Historically, De Herdgang was dedicated to training activities for PSV's senior team, with Jong PSV initially playing its league matches at the Philips Stadion during the 2013–14 season before transitioning to this dedicated site.[4][17] As part of PSV's broader campus, it integrates seamlessly with the club's youth academy operations.[18]Recent developments
In early 2025, PSV initiated construction on a renovated Stadion De Herdgang at the PSV Campus, transforming the main field into a dedicated stadium for Jong PSV and the women's team.[19] The project includes two new permanent stands providing seating for 2,500 spectators, along with modern facilities such as dugouts, a camera platform, and a command room to support professional match operations.[19] These upgrades integrate seamlessly with the surrounding academy pitches, facilitating smoother transitions for youth players during training and matches while enhancing overall development pathways.[19] The stadium also features new offices, dressing rooms, and a players' home on the east side, benefiting both Jong PSV and PSV Women. A temporary opening occurred in August 2025 for the Otten Innovation Cup, hosting the final match in the new venue.[20] The official opening is scheduled for December 1, 2025, during Jong PSV's home match against RKC Waalwijk, with PSV targeting a full attendance to celebrate the milestone.[19] This development slightly increases capacity from previous setups and improves the matchday experience through better viewing options and broadcast quality, accommodating rising fan interest in reserve and women's games. As part of PSV's broader infrastructure investments, the project underscores the club's commitment to elevating its youth and women's programs.[19]Competitive record
League participation
Jong PSV entered the Eerste Divisie for the 2013–14 season, marking the beginning of its participation in the Netherlands' second-tier professional league as the reserve team of PSV Eindhoven.[14] Over the subsequent 12 full seasons through 2024–25, plus the first 15 matches of the ongoing 2025–26 campaign (as of November 17, 2025), the team has played 460 matches, accumulating 161 wins, 109 draws, and 190 losses, for a total of 592 points and an average of 1.29 points per game.[14] The team's performances have varied, with finishes typically in the mid-table range, reflecting its developmental priorities over competitive success. Its best league position came in the 2018–19 season, when Jong PSV ended third with 18 wins, 9 draws, and 11 losses, earning 63 points. Conversely, the squad has struggled in certain years, recording its worst finish of 18th place twice—first in 2019–20 (5 wins, 7 draws, 17 losses, 22 points) and again in 2024–25 (8 wins, 6 draws, 24 losses, 30 points). Other notable seasons include fourth place in 2016–17 (20 wins, 9 draws, 9 losses, 69 points) and fifth in 2017–18 (19 wins, 7 draws, 12 losses, 64 points), while the majority of campaigns have seen placements between 10th and 16th, such as 10th in the inaugural 2013–14 season (15 wins, 9 draws, 14 losses, 54 points).[21] As a reserve side, Jong PSV operates under specific Eerste Divisie regulations that prohibit promotion to the Eredivisie, even in the event of a top finish, to prevent direct competition with its parent club and emphasize youth development.[2] This structure allows the team to prioritize player experience and tactical growth without the pressure of relegation risks, aligning with the broader objectives of Dutch football's academy system.[2]Honours
Jong PSV, functioning primarily as a developmental reserve team, has not claimed any major titles in professional competitions such as the Eerste Divisie or the KNVB Cup since its entry into the Dutch second tier in the 2013–14 season. This reflects the club's emphasis on nurturing talent for progression to the PSV Eindhoven first team rather than prioritizing silverware at the reserve level. Reserve teams like Jong PSV are ineligible for promotion even if they finish top, further underscoring their supportive role within the club's structure. Within the broader PSV youth academy framework, which Jong PSV helps bridge to senior football, notable achievements include victories in youth national competitions. The PSV U19 team, integral to the pathway feeding into Jong PSV, won the Eredivisie U19 championship in the 2017–18 season, defeating rivals to secure the national youth title.[22] More recently, in the 2024–25 season, the U19 side repeated this success by clinching the Eredivisie U19 crown, beating AZ Alkmaar in the decisive final to affirm the academy's continued excellence in talent production.[23] These youth-level triumphs serve as key milestones, often leading to promotions of promising players to Jong PSV and beyond, such as midfielders and forwards who have debuted for the senior PSV squad following strong U19 performances.[24] In contrast to the extensive honours of PSV's first team, including 26 Eredivisie titles, Jong PSV's record prioritizes long-term impact over immediate accolades.[25]Organization
Management
The administrative leadership of Jong PSV, as the reserve team of PSV Eindhoven, falls under the broader organizational structure of the parent club, ensuring seamless integration between youth development and senior operations. Marcel Brands serves as the general manager, having overseen club-wide operations including the reserves since July 2022, with his contract extending through June 2027.[26][27] Key roles within the youth setup emphasize coordination and talent pathway management. Aloys Wijnker was appointed Academy Director in August 2024, replacing Ernest Faber and focusing on holistic player development across all youth levels, including Jong PSV, to align with PSV's senior squad needs.[28] In a notable 2025 development, Isaac Kazadi joined as Youth Scouting Coordinator in August, enhancing recruitment efforts for the academy and reserve team to bolster integration with the first-team scouting network.[29] These positions report directly to the senior management, maintaining Jong PSV's role as a bridge between the academy and professional squad without independent autonomy.[30]Staff
As of November 2025, Jong PSV's technical staff is led by head coach Stijn Schaars, who was appointed on June 30, 2025, following his role as assistant coach with the PSV first team. A former Netherlands international and PSV midfielder with 135 appearances for the club, Schaars brings extensive experience in Dutch football development, having previously assisted Jong Oranje and contributed to PSV's youth system. His appointment emphasizes continuity in player progression toward the senior squad.[31] Schaars is supported by assistant coaches Wilfred Bouma and Jürgen Dirkx. Bouma, a former PSV defender with 373 games for the club and the Netherlands national team, joined the Jong PSV staff as assistant in August 2019 after youth coaching roles within the academy. Dirkx, a retired PSV youth product and academy coach since 2006, has focused on talent nurturing, including stints at PSV's U17 and U18 levels before returning as assistant in July 2025. The goalkeeping coach is Boy Waterman, appointed in July 2024; the ex-PSV and international goalkeeper, with a career spanning clubs like AZ Alkmaar and Heerenveen, now specializes in youth shot-stopping techniques and decision-making.[32][33][34] Fitness and support roles include sports scientist Jurrit Sanders, who serves as lead academy sport scientist overseeing physical monitoring and cognitive testing for young players since joining PSV in the mid-2010s. Video analyst Ginola Alflen, in position since July 2022, handles match footage review and tactical breakdowns to aid player feedback. Physiotherapist Toine Leijnse provides injury prevention and rehabilitation, drawing on his long-term role in PSV's academy medical team since the early 2010s. This setup aligns closely with PSV's overarching tactical philosophy of possession-based play and technical proficiency.[35][36][37][38][39][40]Current season
Squad
As of November 2025, the Jong PSV squad for the 2025–26 Eerste Divisie season comprises 26 players, with an average age of 19.3 years, including 19 Dutch nationals and 7 foreigners primarily from Belgium, England, Senegal, and other countries.[41] The team emphasizes youth development, drawing from PSV's academy, with most players on contracts expiring between 2026 and 2029.Goalkeepers
The goalkeeper roster features three young talents, all under 22 years old and predominantly Dutch-born.| No. | Player | Nationality | Age | Contract Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Niek Schiks | Netherlands | 21 | Jun 30, 2027 |
| - | Tijn Smolenaars | Netherlands | 20 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Khadim Ngom | Netherlands/Senegal | 20 | Jun 30, 2026 |
Defenders
Jong PSV fields a deep defensive unit of 10 players, mostly center-backs aged 17–19, with a mix of Dutch and international origins including Belgium, Venezuela, and Ghana.| No. | Player | Nationality | Age | Contract Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Wessel Kuhn | Netherlands | 19 | Jun 30, 2028 |
| - | Madi Monamay | Belgium/DR Congo | 19 | Jun 30, 2027 |
| - | Michael Bresser | Netherlands/USA | 18 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Fabian Merién | Netherlands/Curacao | 17 | Jun 30, 2027 |
| - | Sven van der Plas | Netherlands | 19 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Floris Bos | Netherlands | 19 | Jun 30, 2027 |
| - | Raf van de Riet | Netherlands | 19 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Eus Waayers | Netherlands | 19 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Yiandro Raap | Venezuela/Netherlands | 19 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Essien Bassey | Netherlands/Ghana | 19 | Jun 30, 2026 |
Midfielders
The midfield group includes seven versatile players aged 17–19, blending Dutch and Belgian talents with some dual nationalities from England, France, and Jamaica; one player, Joel van den Berg, holds squad number 35.| No. | Player | Nationality | Age | Contract Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Peter Quispel | Netherlands | 19 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Sol Sidibé | England/France | 18 | Jun 30, 2029 |
| 35 | Joel van den Berg | Netherlands | 18 | Jun 30, 2028 |
| - | Jordy Bawuah | Belgium/Ghana | 19 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Noah Fernandez | Belgium/Jamaica | 17 | Jun 30, 2027 |
| - | Jim Koller | Netherlands | 18 | Jun 30, 2029 |
| - | Nicolas Verkooijen | Belgium | 18 | Jun 30, 2026 |
Forwards
Comprising six attackers aged 17–21, the forward line highlights speed and finishing from players of Dutch, Israeli, Nigerian, and Moroccan descent, with most contracts running through 2026 or 2027.| No. | Player | Nationality | Age | Contract Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Ayodele Thomas | Netherlands/Nigeria | 18 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Tai Abed | Israel/Spain | 21 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Manuel Bahaty | Netherlands/DR Congo | 18 | - |
| - | Fabio Kluit | Netherlands | 19 | Jun 30, 2027 |
| - | Robin van Duiven | Netherlands | 19 | Jun 30, 2026 |
| - | Sami Bouhoudane | Netherlands/Morocco | 17 | - |