Van Der Heyden interview if you missed it...

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Stephan Van Der Heyden believes Philippe Clement epitomises everything required of a modern-day coach.

The pair first crossed paths at Club Brugge in 2011, having both previously represented the Belgian giants as players, albeit at different times.

Clement had just hung up his boots following a two-year spell with hometown club Germinal Beerschot and had taken charge of Brugge's Under-21 side, while Van Der Heyden was working as a scout at the Jan Breydel Stadium after ending his own playing career at Beerschot eight years earlier.

After swapping recruitment for coaching, Van Der Heyden spent six years working closely alongside Clement in their homeland before reuniting with his compatriot at Rangers in October 2023.

Following their departures from Ibrox in February 2025, the pair made a pact to continue working together in the future, which ultimately led them to Norfolk.

Having helped transform the Canaries' fortunes over the past eight months, the 57-year-old is excited for the new Championship campaign alongside Clement, whose qualities as a modern-day coach he credits for the turnaround at Carrow Road.

“I think he's a really modern coach,” Van Der Heyden said in an exclusive interview with the Pink Un.

“I think, first, when we came in, it was about bringing a clear structure. Second, I would say it was about getting everyone to a good physical level because in modern football you need to be fit, and that's still a challenge now to get everyone to a better level.

“And then I think he's really good at communicating, not only with the players in an honest way but in a clear way.

"It's not only with the players either, but a big quality is also that he can switch within a few seconds from speaking to Daniel (Houlker, Norwich’s Head of Comms), for example, to speaking to a player, seeing the kit man or doing interviews.

“Nowadays, you need to think about what you say. I think for a lot of coaches it's really difficult; you need to be careful about what you say, so he's really good at that.”

Clement’s communication skills are important when undertaking discussions with coaching staff, and Van Der Heyden believes their shared view of the game is a key strength in their relationship.

“Yes, a lot of times we do (see the game in the same way). We also have discussions, and I think that's a healthy thing.

“He knows that I will always be honest and back him, but I will always give my opinion as well, and in the end, he makes the decision. I think we also share the same values. We don't mind working hard,” admitted Clement’s assistant.

“I think we are honest people, both of us, and we are also two former players. I know other coaches who like to play games or are not honest, but I think the gaffer is always honest.

“We both have children around the same age as the playing group at Norwich, and that also helps because for us they are more or less like our children. We know when to be hard on them and when they need a hug.

“I think it's about managing a group. As a manager these days, it's not like 30 years ago when you had a dictator telling you, ‘OK, now you do this and this’. Now it's different. I think the gaffer is really good at managing a group.”

Like Clement, Van Der Heyden’s only taste of British football came at Rangers, but he believes their experience in the Scottish Premiership provided valuable preparation for making the step into the English game.

“I think after Scotland it was not really a culture shock because there, we also had cup games and Europa League games, so we were also playing three games in a week.

“But it is a challenging league; it is difficult. The difficulty is, well, not difficult, but it is a lot of work and a challenge to keep everyone fit because that was also the case when we came in (at Norwich); not everyone was fit.

“They had a few days off, I think, and it simply doesn't work. So now, the day after games, we train with the guys who didn't play, and to do that throughout the whole season is a challenge, but it works.

“Because of that, camps like this are even more crucial to get a good base and be able to play three games in a week.

“But yeah, for example, when I think of Brugge, it's the same. You have these midweek games, like cup or Europa League fixtures, and then you also need to travel even more, so for us it's not a big difference.

“I think for players, the Championship is more physical. You have teams who just play the long ball and rely on duels and these things, and that is maybe a bit different from Europe, but apart from that, the schedule is similar.”

Despite the volume of games being similar, Van Der Heyden admits that before arriving at Carrow Road, he had never watched the Championship.

“Not at all, to be honest,” continued City’s number two. “I think English football, a lot of people in Belgium follow because it's the biggest league. The Championship, no.

“I had a little bit of knowledge about Norwich because some Belgian players played here, so of course you know the names, but I didn't really follow it. I think you also can't watch Championship games in Belgium.”

That makes the turnaround overseen by Clement and Van Der Heyden all the more impressive, given the position the Canaries found themselves in last winter, but the Belgian believes improving physical levels were a key ingredient.

“It was clear that we had to get them to a better physical level; that was the first step, and that's something you cannot do in one or two weeks. We knew it would take time, and that was also the reason I think we lost a few points in the beginning, especially towards the end of games.

“And then it was about bringing in a clear structure, with clear principles in possession and out of possession.

“We knew, and the gaffer knows because he’s done it before, that if we followed all these steps, it would lead to better results. That doesn't mean you're going to win every game because there are other factors, but we try to control as much as possible.”

Now it falls on the coaching staff to ensure the upward trajectory from the second half of last season continues into the new campaign.

“It is, but I think what I said before – this clear communication and clear structure helps a lot, especially for a young group.

“If you can get that in and then add the physical part to become fitter, then you're on the right track.”

Posted By: DrDublin, Jul 27, 13:56:07