Van Gaal renews AZ commitment

AZ Alkmaar coach Louis van Gaal has agreed a new two-year contract with the club which will keep him with the UEFA Cup quarter-finalists until 2010.

New deal
The 55-year-old, who took over from Co Adriaanse two years ago, has enjoyed a splendid spell with AZ. Last season, he led the club to a second-placed finish in the Eredivisie, while they are currently third in the Dutch league, five points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven ahead of the first leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final against Werder Bremen on Thursday. Van Gaal's initial contract with AZ was due to expire in July 2008. His new one will take him through to 2010.