FC Twente chairman Joop Munsterman has praised the work of coach Michel Preud'homme in his first season at the helm, likening the Belgian to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Preud'homme replaced Steve McClaren as manager of the reigning Dutch champions last summer, and has picked up where his predecessor left off by putting the club in the thick of another title fight.

Twente moved to the Eredivisie summit with a 2-0 win over PSV Eindhoven at the weekend, and Munsterman admits Preud'homme has exceeded expectations in his first year.

"We did not expect such results," he told Het Laatste Nieuws. "We had said 'finish in third or fourth place and 72 or 74 points and we are satisfied'. We are very pleased with him as a person and as a coach."

We see in him the Arsene Wenger of Twente. He signed for three years, but we want at least five.
FC Twente chairman Joop Munsterman on coach Michel Preud'homme

Twente have a two-point lead over PSV with only five games remaining but Munsterman insists Preud'homme's squad is still a work in progress. "For us, Michel still building," he said. "He pumps into the team more balance, more and more varied opportunities to play football.

"We see in him the Arsene Wenger of Twente. Michel signed for three years, but we want at least five. Only then can a vision be translated into real practice."

Preud'homme's achievements have given way to speculation he could be tempted to take a bigger job elsewhere in Europe - as happened with McClaren last year - but Munsterman hopes he can persuade the former Belgium international to stay. "He is so ambitious, but we hope to keep him a little longer," he added.