Former Lakeside world champion Jelle Klaasen has signed with a new management team, MAG Darts, in a move that has left the darts world scratching its head. The Dutchman, who has previously voiced doubts about his future in the sport, made the surprising decision despite ongoing physical issues that have cast uncertainty over his career.
The surprise stems mainly from the physical issues Klaasen has faced for some time. The Dutchman suffers from dystonia and has said it even made him consider quitting. A full return to the PDC tour does not appear to be his main goal right now. "He has dystonia and really struggles with it, which means physically it just isn't possible anymore," said Vincent van der Voort on the podcast Darts Draait Door, where he discussed the decision with Damian Vlottes. "And in that interview he also says it still hasn't been resolved."
That is precisely why the switch to new management raises questions. For now, Klaasen wants to focus on circuits such as the MODUS Super Series, WDF, and Challenge Tour. However, these offer significantly less prize money than the PDC ProTour, while tournament participation still brings considerable costs. "Go and look at what people earn on the Challenge Tour and what it costs," Van der Voort said. "It just costs money. You're away the whole weekend, need time off work, hotel bills; add it all up."
Van der Voort would understand the choice more if Klaasen were fully recovered and aiming to regain a Tour Card. He has no doubts about the qualities of the now experienced Dutchman. "That Jelle is a fantastic darts player is clear. But an injured player is, of course, a very different story." Klaasen spent years among the world's elite. He became BDO world champion and later reached, among other highlights, the semi-finals of the PDC World Championship in 2016. He also played twice in the Premier League. For Van der Voort, it is painful to see his compatriot now battling just to compete at a decent level. "He was genuinely top class," he emphasized. "He also says that accepting his physical limitations is the hardest thing. I can absolutely believe that. It seems awful. When the thing you love most and can make good money from is taken away."
According to Van der Voort, a fit Klaasen would still belong among the better players in the world. "He is, of course, much better than many players who currently have a future. He simply belongs in the world's top 32. Whether that will ever happen again, you doubt it." That brings Van der Voort back to the question of why a management agency would choose to partner with Klaasen now. Especially since the former world champion himself has indicated that a full season on the PDC tour does not appeal at the moment, and he even doubts whether he would accept a potential Tour Card. "As long as that injury is there and he can't throw the way he wants, it's going to be really difficult," Van der Voort said. "You've seen how many weeks per year you're away and how many tournaments the PDC has. And there's just no money to be made at the second tier."
One exception, he says, is the MODUS Super Series, where strong results can still earn serious sums. But even there, a player needs deep runs to make a significant financial impact. "If he's already saying: I don't fancy a whole year on tour...' He even says he probably wouldn't accept it. So what do you want to get out of that as management? Good question." Van der Voort does not rule out that Klaasen's name and track record play a role. As a former world champion and ex-Premier League player, he naturally retains standing within the darts world. Still, the exact reasoning behind the partnership remains unclear to the former professional. "It comes across as charity. Then it's just very kind," he says with a smile. He quickly adds a caveat: "There must be something extra in play. Maybe there is something we don't know."