The Heracles Sentinel
Squad3 Aug 2026
Tempers go at Heracles
Luka Kulenović was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad3 Aug 2026
Mario Engels stays put
“The easiest signature of my career.” Mario Engels and Heracles agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
Squad3 Aug 2026
Words at Heracles training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Erik Ahlstrand is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
Transfer targets3 Aug 2026
Heracles try to borrow Jay Enem
Bologna have been asked whether they would lend him. Loans are agreed quickly or not at all, and this one will be one or the other by the weekend.
Transfer targets3 Aug 2026
Heracles ask about Jens Mathijsen
A loan enquiry to Willem II: cover, or a look at somebody the club cannot afford to buy yet. Either way the answer will come back inside the week.
Transfer targets3 Aug 2026
Heracles try to borrow Bogdan Popov
Empoli have been asked whether they would lend him. Loans are agreed quickly or not at all, and this one will be one or the other by the weekend.
Squad3 Aug 2026
Sam Hendriks is a square peg at Heracles
The system has changed and his position has not. A footballer can improve his form; he cannot improve the manager’s formation, and that is the whole of the problem.
Market3 Aug 2026
Heracles and Mike te Wierik are talking past each other
“There is a gap, and pretending there is not helps nobody.” Neither side has moved, and the calendar is working for exactly one of them.
The dugout3 Aug 2026
Djevencio van der Kust asks for a word with the manager
“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.
In brief
- Market 24 months and counting on Mario Engels
- Market Experience through the door at Heracles
- Market Heracles shop where it costs nothing