Kasper Kurland has been the head coach of PSV Women since the start of this season. Under the guidance of the Danish coach, PSV got off to an excellent start to the season, winning the Super Cup and securing a spot in the final qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. How did Kurland himself experience his first few weeks in Eindhoven?
On June 30, PSV Women began preparations for the 2026–2027 season. They’ve already secured their first trophy, and the team is just one two-leg series away from a spot in the League Phase of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Kurland therefore looks back on her first period in Eindhoven with a sense of satisfaction. “I’m really enjoying it. It’s a fantastic place to work. De Herdgang is, of course, a beautiful place, and we have the best facilities at our disposal. The team has a lot of quality, and the staff has made me feel right at home from the very beginning.”
Clear Principles
A new head coach usually brings new ideas and priorities. Kurland wants to play attacking football with PSV, but at the same time emphasizes the importance of defensive responsibility. “Many of the principles I follow are deeply ingrained in PSV’s culture. I want to play with an attacking mindset, but with defensive responsibility. How we do that isn’t necessarily new, but it is very clear. When a match gets tough, we must always be able to fall back on our basic principles.”
Those clear principles immediately formed the foundation for the first matches of the season, with the victory in the Super Cup as the first tangible result. “That was an incredible day. We were extremely dominant and kept creating chances. I think both the fans in the stadium and the players themselves really enjoyed it.”
’s Tough WeekIn addition to highlights, the first few weeks also brought a major setback. In the match against Sarajevo (3-2), Fenna Kalma and Lore Jacobs were sidelined. Fenna’s serious injury, in particular, made a deep impression on Kurland and the team. “It happened early in the match, which made it mentally very tough. It was a huge blow for her and for the team. I’m proud that we showed resilience and that we showed her how much she means to us.”
Due to the injuries, Kurland had to make substitutions and even adjust the team’s approach. “Fortunately, we have a very deep roster and can easily adapt during the game.”
The next challenge awaits against HB Køge. The Danish opponent adds a special touch to the two-game series for Kurland, but it doesn’t change the objective. “HB Køge is special, but the task remains the same. There’s only one goal, and that’s to qualify for the League Phase.”
The interview continues below the photo.
Dreaming of a Medal
According to Kurland, PSV has a competitive roster in which experience and youth blend well. The coach also sees a great deal of responsibility within his team. That fosters ambition. “We’re not afraid to say that we’re dreaming of a medal. That’s the goal. Every day, we work very hard to achieve it.”
On Sunday, PSV Women will play their first league match. The team will visit PEC Zwolle. The match kicks off at 4:45 p.m.