Amidst the anticipation surrounding the upcoming clash between Sparta Rotterdam and Ajax, the spotlight has inevitably fallen on Maurice Steijn, the man who once stood at the helm of the Amsterdam-based club.

Yet, for those expecting fiery remarks or a vengeful posture from the Sparta coach, Steijn presents a surprisingly composed demeanor.

Known for his candid, forthright style, the Hague-born tactician refrains from stoking the flames of animosity.

Instead, he depicts himself as a 'fighter, not a bearer of grudges.'

Steijn's reflective stance comes as Sparta prepares to face Ajax, a team he once managed during a tumultuous period that saw his eventual dismissal.

Many in Dutch football anticipated bitter feelings or a yearning for retribution.

However, Steijn appears to transcend the emotional aftermath.

'It's been over a year since my time in Amsterdam came to an end,' he states, urging a forward-looking focus rather than dwelling on bygone controversies.

This pragmatic perspective is emblematic of Steijn's approach to coaching—a commitment to the sport itself and an understanding of football as a realm of perpetual motion, where each season erases the past as quickly as it writes new histories.

In this context, his tenure at Ajax is but a chapter in an ongoing narrative, one that has seen him bring Sparta to a respectable position in the Eredivisie standings this season.

The anticipation around this match isn't merely about its sporting implications.

It taps into a rich vein of narrative that mixes sportsmanship with personal redemption.

Yet, as much as observers might crave drama, Steijn's comments suggest a more subdued affair.

His declaration of being non-vindictive is a clear signal that the match will be sure to focus solely on the game rather than personal vendettas.

While the fervor leading up to the match is palpable, especially among fans and commentators who fish for headlines, Steijn's attitude offers a lesson in professionalism and the ability to rise above the fray.

As he gears up to lead his side against Ajax, the narrative is one of sporting determination, devoid of the animus that often enlivens the sidelines of top-tier football.

In an age where football is as much about the narratives crafted off the pitch as it is about the events on it, Steijn’s temperament is a reminder of the core virtues of the sport: competition, respect, and the understanding that, in the game of football, as in life, forward is the only direction.