PSV Eredivisie title defence to start midweek

Reigning champion PSV Eindhoven will have to wait until Wednesday (AEST) to begin the defence of its Eredivisie title because of industrial action by Dutch police, with only four matches taking place this weekend.

PSV's start to its Eredivisie title defence has been delayed until midweek because if industrial action by Dutch police (Getty) Source: Getty Images

However, new Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is all set for the season opener at De Kuip on Sunday (AEST).

The Rotterdam club will host Utrecht and Heracles travels to Roda on the same day, while on Monday (AEST) AZ tackles Ajax and Vitesse Arnhem, who was knocked out of Europa League qualifying by Southampton in midweek, is away at Willem II.

Games between ADO Den Haag and PSV as well as Heerenveen versus De Graafschap has been delayed until Wenesday (AEST), while on Thursday (AEST) FC Groningen plays FC Twente, PEC Zwolle meets Cambuur Leeuwarden and Excelsior is at NEC.

The Dutch Football Association's operations director, Gijs de Jong, said of the match delays: "We had hoped that the labour and police unions would have sat down with the government and worked out a solution.

"After it became clear that the police would go ahead with their actions, we spoke to the respective mayors and clubs. Our aim was for all fans to see top division action as soon as possible."

Feyenoord boss Van Bronckhorst cannot wait to get his side back into competitive action again, though.

The former Rangers, Arsenal and Barcelona defender has stepped up into the head coach role after the departure of Fred Rutten to now manage the side with which he ended his playing career in 2010.

The 40-year-old said: "For me there was much new. For example, I noticed that other players look at me now as I am head coach.

"But the important thing is that as a team we have grown together in recent weeks and become stronger, even if it was not reflected in some of the results of our friendly games.

"From now, the games will involves points and that brings a different pressure along with it. Personally, I am just glad we are really going to start (the league) and the players feel the same."