From the stands to the pitch, all languages are welcome at PSV
At the Philips Stadium, accents and languages from all over the world can be heard: Spanish, Portuguese, French, English, Arabic, and of course Dutch. On the field, under the leadership of Peter Bosz, the working language is Dutch again. This not only ensures clarity in the game, but also creates a sense of unity within the team. New players find their place more quickly as a result. And thanks to guys like Ismael Saibari, who switches effortlessly between five languages, bridges between cultures are created naturally. Nick Olij, Pepi, and Mauro Jr. also help to connect the players by speaking different languages.
The language of Brainport
PSV's fan base also includes people of various nationalities. The Supporters Association has over 22,000 members from all corners of the globe. On match days, you see families from all over the Netherlands who have been coming for generations, as well as expats and international students who are getting to know Dutch football culture.
PSV is inextricably linked to Brainport Eindhoven, a region where innovation, technology, and international cooperation come together. For many who come to live or work here, PSV is their first introduction to the city and its inhabitants. Through tours, meetings, and stories, they bring new supporters and players into contact with the club's history, values, and traditions.
From hello to houdoe
International players share their first Dutch words on social media, practice sentences in interviews, and increasingly end training sessions with a heartfelt “houdoe.” It may seem like a small thing, but it says a lot about how quickly they feel part of PSV and the region.
Yarek Gasirowski now knows that “gas erop” in Dutch means roughly the same as “vamos,” which inspired supporters to give him the nickname Yarek Gas-er-op-ski. Ricardo Pepi is also learning the local language step by step and now understands what the people of Brabant mean by “our dad” and “our mom.”
People like Mart van den Heuvel play an important role in this. As a true Eindhoven native, he helps new players feel at home with humor, attention, and Brabant hospitality, which has earned him the nickname ons pap Martje (our dad Martje) within the team.
At PSV, we believe that language is more than just words. It connects people, builds trust, and makes everyone feel part of the same whole. Whether you're on the pitch or in the stands, all languages are welcome at PSV.