Vitesse have qualified for playing in the Europa League for a second consecutive year. After having entered the tournament in the group stage this season, following their victory in the final of the KNVB Cup last season, the Arnhem side will start in the preliminary round next season, after having defeated FC Utrecht in the final of the play-offs. Vitesse finished the regular season on the 6th spot on the Eredivisie league table. Two victories were claimed over ADO Den Haag in their semi-final of the play-offs and those were followed up by two more wins over FC Utrecht in the final.
The campaign of Vitesse has been characterized by inconsistency, especially during the first half of the season. The busy schedule, which included six matches in the group stage of the Europa League, seriously affected the results of the Arnhem side in the Eredivisie. The inconsistency did not disappear during the second half of the campaign, though, despite having been eliminated from the Europa League before the winter break.
A string of disappointing results towards the end of the regular season resulted in the dismissal of coach Henk Fraser. His job was taken over by good-old Edward Sturing for the remaining games. Many goals were scored in the last several matches of the regular season and twelve goals were scored in four play-off matches as well.
Bryan Linssen became Vitesse's top scorer this season in the Eredivisie and apart from having scored quite some goals himself, he also took care of some assists. It will be hard for Vitesse to keep him in Arnhem for another year. Mason Mount, who played for Vitesse on loan from Chelsea this season, stood out as well, especially towards the end of the season and in the play-offs, but it does not look likely that he will play for Vitesse next year as well. A new coach has already been presented for the new season, Leonid Slutskiy from Russia.
