Wouter Gudde Critiques Municipality of Groningen Over FC Groningen’s Predicament

Wouter Gudde has voiced his concerns regarding the municipality of Groningen. He claims that a conflict with the local government is a primary factor prompting his decision to step down as the general director of FC Groningen in 2024.

FC Groningen currently faces significant challenges, partly due to its relationship with the municipality. In the early 2000s, the club constructed a new stadium, Euroborg, but this came at the expense of relinquishing certain controls. “The club is burdened with substantial fixed costs, leaving little room for investments in players and other critical areas,” Gudde explained in an interview with Voetbal International. “As we entered that difficult year, it seemed prudent to seek financial support from an entity that could assist with strategy and stadium operations, without compromising our majority control.”