I went from almost hating MvB to LOVING him in just 2 years. what a fantastic player and person. I wish he could stay one more more season. truth be told, losing him feels just as sad as losing Nesta for me.

Was is his decision not to renew or did the club not offer him an extension? (I'm almost certain it's the former but just to make sure...).

Of course a goal would've capped his Milan career perfectly, but it's not that important. the important thing is he put consistently good/great performances and won the Scudetto (as well as the Suppercoppa). I think he's proud of his Milan spell and so are we.

Milan offered him an extension, but like I said he wanted to return to PSV before it's too late. And besides, fans at PSV have constantly been begging him to come back and end his career there. He just turned 35 this April, delaying the return for another year would be leaving it a bit too late.


True, but I think he wanted a goal, and tried hard for it. Particularly against Inter in two derbies. But the most important thing is that he adjusted perfectly for us, played any and all matches he could, had a good relationship with everyone at the club, never misbehaved, and gave it all.

And frankly, his contribution last year in the Scudetto win are always to be remembered, he did well in it.

Wow, someone read the posts from page 1. most of us were so hostile toward him. talk about being proven utterly wrong!


Can't blame him one bit. I don't expect him to put us before PSV, not matter how he loves it here and how we want him to stay.


+1.

The memory of a goal would have been cool, but there are other lovely moments we can remember him with, like piggybacking a Siena player. I still laugh when I remember it. or this:

I know. Always a delight visiting pages of old threads.


Yes, pretty much. He helped us most in those first 6 months, and then some. But more than that, it were the little moments that I'll cherish the most. 46 matches in a year and half, pretty good.


Totally agree. I'll never forget this one, where he red carded the referee. I saw it live. I personally think there should be a player like Bommel in every team, one that makes us remember that football, at the end of the day, is a game first and foremost. People like him put the fun back in the experience.

And can't forget all his various training videos on YouTube, interviews as well. Good times!

He said in the interview that his decision was family related.

To echo what zedd said, I am quite shocked how I went from hate to love for this guy just within a few months... And that clip... It was like a stab in the heart.... I can't take all of these emotional goodbyes anymore...

My feelings have slightly changed from this when we first signed him.

Define slightly.

Thanks.

Something tells me he would have liked to stay.

He has earned so much respect.

You will be missed, Mark.

Van Bommel has officially joined PSV.

Sadly, he didn't do us the honor and gave a last performance.

Good on the guy. Maybe he can nudge Kevin Strootman our way from there too. Let's hope!

I have to think it was because of the untimely Boateng injury. Allegri had to sub in Flamini in the 10th minute, otherwise, I am pretty sure Van Bommel would have come on. But like they say, all things that have a beginning have an end. Soon enough this thread will be moved to the "Past Players" sub forum. Like all before it.

But I can safely say that I've enjoyed the experience, good thing Mark kept it up to the mark from day one.

I don't think he was on the bench.

Oh yeah, just checked, he wasn't. One final hurrah would have been great, nevertheless!

Van Bommel will wear the #6 jersey at PSV, which was worn until now by Strootman.

Hmmm...

Really?? And we've been linked with this guy?

Yes.

Add to that, he's a client of our friendly neighborhood agent - Raiola.

Are you sure? Wikipedia says he's not a client of Raiola, and Transfermarkt says he's managed by firsteleven ISM.

Someone said it on twitter.

Well, it looks like they were wrong.

Twitter never lies.

Moving to Past Players.

And there it goes. Thread is safely in it's rightful place in the "Past Players" sub-forum, just like many others. I just hope it sees some more action in the coming month or two. Action as in nudging Strootman our way.

And the legendary Mediolanum dress. Priceless picture.

Gee, I'm so sorry we haven't signed this guy much earlier, maybe about the time we settled for Emerson.

Priceless picture, indeed.


Word. A million times over. With all the success we've had, there have been several indecisions and bad decisions when it comes to transfers over the years. Part and parcel of the game, some would say, but if B&G were even half as concerned with the market as they are with finances, we would be in eternal heaven.

But isn't the market correlated to clubs ability to pay?

Money isn't everything. This new policy of simplified contracts for over 30 players should have been implemented years ago, as was snapping up the best talents from say Far East (Japan, Korea or China) for that additional market push. Maybe even an American, like Bradley.

And oh, several youngsters (Lamela, anyone) and low cost players (Hernanes, baby), instead of old senators.

I don't know. Not sure how much "wiser" that would have been to be honest.

Wise enough, by my reckoning. Anyone that has the heart and desire to win it all on the ground is fine by me. A lot of our seniors have won (in our colors) so much the intensity just disappeared in the last few years. Not everyone is Maldini or Nesta. Besides, I am not saying show the door to all the senior players.

Just keep them on a reasonable wage, and groom youngsters, while saying goodbye to one every year.

Yes, balance is the point. But I think Galliani got carried away, just like Milan get's carried away with this "youth-politics".