Scout Henk Veldmate ends 36-year tenure at FC Groningen

Henk Veldmate will cease his scouting duties at FC Groningen. His current contract expires at the end of August. The 69-year-old ends a cumulative 36-year association with the club.

Veldmate asked to stay on with a reduced scope to free up personal time. Negotiations did not produce an agreement. He therefore chose not to renew his contract.

Over two spells, Veldmate served as player, trainer, head of youth development, technical manager and head of scouting. He accumulated roughly 33 years of service before departing in 2016.

While technical manager, Veldmate was instrumental in signing Luis Suárez, Virgil van Dijk and Dusan Tadic for FC Groningen. He also facilitated arrivals of Erik Nevland, Marcus Berg, Tim Matavz and Filip Kostic.

After leaving for Ajax in 2016, Veldmate returned in June 2023 as an international scout following Groningen’s relegation from the Eredivisie. In that role he oversaw player acquisitions, sales and advised the first-team direction.

Veldmate described his 36-year tenure as “a wonderful time” across various roles. He said his departure is a “see you later” rather than a farewell and that he will continue to follow the club and attend matches at Euroborg.

FC Groningen posted a thank-you on its website acknowledging Veldmate’s contributions. The club indicated it will reflect internally on his departure as “the Pride of the North”.