Sander Duits

De Graafschap

Duits began his football career at local amateur club SDC Putten before joining the youth academy of Vitesse. He moved to De Graafschap in 1999, making his professional debut in the 2002–03 Eredivisie season under head coach Peter Bosz. His first appearance came on 1 December 2002, starting in a 1–1 away draw against his former club Vitesse; he was substituted after 63 minutes for Damien Hertog. Duits featured eight times during his debut season, which ended in De Graafschap's relegation to the Eerste Divisie. Following relegation, Duits became a regular starter under Frans Adelaar, playing a crucial role as the club secured promotion back to the Eredivisie via the promotion play-offs in the 2003–04 season. However, under new coach Gert Kruys, he lost his regular starting position during the subsequent Eredivisie campaign and was temporarily demoted to the reserves. Although Kruys departed after another relegation, Duits faced competition from newly signed defender Joost Volmer and emerging talent Dave Bus. Despite limited appearances, he continued to play due to injuries affecting teammate John van Loenhout.

Omniworld

In the summer of 2006, Duits's contract expired, and he signed for Omniworld, where he established himself as a key midfielder and leading goalscorer. Despite his strong performances, a move to an Eredivisie club did not materialise, partly attributed to disciplinary concerns—he accumulated a league-high 13 yellow cards during…

Duits operated chiefly as a control-orientated central midfielder. Preview material published by ADO Den Haag in 2013 described him as a "bikkelaar pur sang" (all-action battler) who combined an excellent passing range with a "snoeihard schot"—a powerful shot from distance. He was comfortable receiving possession under pressure, providing a steady outlet in build-up play, and was regarded as one of RKC Waalwijk's "certainty picks" in the heart of midfield. Former Go Ahead Eagles assistant-coach Michel Boerebach praised Duits's technical security, calling him "absolutely one of the best players" he had worked with and noting that "nobody at the club was as truly two-footed". This ambidexterity, combined with his ability to retain the ball and act as an attacking pivot, made him a reliable link between defence and attack. Duits was also known for striking the ball accurately from range; an example was his 17-minute opener against Groningen on 5 November 2011, a long-range effort that secured RKC a point. Set pieces—particularly penalties—were another facet of his game, with contemporary match reports noting the composure with which he converted spot-kicks for FC Omniworld. His combative style occasionally tested disciplinary boundaries. While at Omniworld he collected 13 yellow cards during the 2008–09 Eerste Divisie season, a tally that equalled the division's single-season record at that time.

Duits began coaching in the 2019–20 season, joining RKC Waalwijk as assistant to head coach Fred Grim. He retained the position under Grim's successor Joseph Oosting, serving on the Eredivisie club's technical staff until mid‑2023. When Oosting was appointed head coach of Twente in June 2023, Duits followed him to Enschede as one of his assistants, working at the club for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 campaigns. On 29 April 2025, Duits was appointed head coach of RKC Waalwijk, the club with which he had won the Eerste Divisie title as a player in 2011. He signed a two‑year contract, succeeding Henk Fraser, and took charge ahead of the 2025–26 Eerste Divisie campaign.

Club

Managerial

As of match played 20 February 2026