One of our great players of the modern era, Jan was back in N17 for a weekend of nostalgia with his family that included a trip up the Dare Skywalk, speaking to his adoring fans at half-time and watching us come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Manchester City - and an exclusive interview for us with presenter and Spurs fan, Ben Haines.
One of only 17 players to reach 200-plus appearances for us in the Premier League and one of only 10 to make over 50 appearances for us in Europe, Jan is also Belgium's record appearance maker with 157 caps between 2007-2024, including winning bronze at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Forming a formidable central defensive partnership with compatriot Toby Alderweireld, Jan made 120 appearances of a possible 152 as we finished third, runners-up, third and fourth in the Premier League between 2015/16 and 2018/19. He also started 10 of 13 matches as we reached the UEFA Champions League Final against Liverpool in 2019, producing one of the great performances topped with a goal as we beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0 in the Round of 16, first leg at Wembley.
Jan signed off with appearance 315 against Newcastle during the Premier League's return in the 2020 COVID pandemic at St James’ Park on 15 July, 2020. Sadly, there were no fans at his final matches in Lilywhite – making his appearance at half-time with Paul Coyte all the more special.
After Spurs, he had spells at Benfica - where he won the Primeira Liga title in 2022/23 - and Anderlecht, where he played for two seasons before retiring at the end of 2024/25.
Part 5 | Retirement, coaching, the future – and the fans
How is retirement treating you? Are you missing playing? Are you enjoying having more time with your kids and your family?
Jan: “I was very lucky that I had to retire. It was a clear path. It was not like Anderlecht didn't want to renew my contract or they didn't look at me as still being good enough. It was a relief, because I played five or six games in a year last season and it was a real struggle.”
Mentally?
Jan: “Physically, and because of that mentally, I was the captain of the club. They paid my wages, I felt responsible towards the fans, the president, the coach, my team-mates, and I couldn't fulfil that. That was tough on me. In the last game I started, my family was there, I said, ‘I'm going to play this game and I'm going to give everything’. There was a very nice moment with my daughter. I didn't cry. I didn't cry because I was so happy. It was such a relief for me to come off the pitch because of my ankles and Achilles. It was just a relief, and I've been very happy since. Coming here to Spurs to watch the game, training ground, stadium tour, pictures on the wall, talking about it - that makes me miss it. Apart from that, I just told my boys who are with me today in the car, I wish you were at the age and I was still playing here. Then you could come here and watch me play. They've seen me play at Anderlecht, of course, on the national team. That would be even more special.”
Tell us about your coaching journey… how are you finding it?
Jan: “I've got my badges, but I have to disappoint, I'm not going to continue yet on that path. If I see what it requires, it's 24-7, it's non-stop. It's maybe not a good thing to say, but being a good dad, the dad I want to be, the husband I want to be, and being a coach, and the time and the responsibility that requires, the demands, I cannot see it. I don't know how anyone manages it. Whenever I see it, it doesn't matter what walk of life or what sport, it looks like a total life dedication. You give everything, absolutely everything. Even being here… I spent all weekend in London and at Spurs. You can't do that when you're a football player, but you definitely can't do it when you're a coach. I enjoy these things too much. I will work and I am working, but if I see these guys stressed out and everything… I do lots of other things - I've got my badges and I'm happy. It's important to know what you want, but it's important to know what you don't want, even more.”
How special is it to have that moment of reconnection with the fans?
Jan: “It was a special time because (when Jan left Spurs) it was COVID, first lockdown, and then I wasn't playing. We played our last game at Palace, the last game of the season and it was still to get into Europe. The coach didn't put me on, and he was right not to. There were no fans, and it was an away game, so I wasn't angry at all. I've played five more years after that and never had the opportunity to come back because we’ve had to play on weekends and we played in Europe. It's truly very special to do that and to do that with my kids.”