Verbeek departs AZ dugout
Sunday, September 29, 2013
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UEFA Europa League Group L contenders AZ Alkmaar have parted ways with coach Gertjan Verbeek a day after the side recorded a 2-1 Eredivisie success against PSV Eindhoven.
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AZ Alkmaar have relieved coach Gertjan Verbeek of his duties, just a day after the club defeated Eredivisie high-fliers PSV Eindhoven 2-1.
The 51-year-old former Heracles Almelo, sc Heerenveen and Feyenoord coach had been in the service of AZ since the summer of 2010, taking the side to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2011/12 and winning the Dutch Cup last season.
"We have received several signals from within our organisation that the chemistry between the playing squad and the coach has been disrupted, which unfortunately forced us to take this decision," said a club statement. "This decision was not taken overnight."
The move comes despite league victories against AFC Ajax and PSV this season, which have helped the side establish themselves two points behind leaders FC Twente. AZ also made a winning start to UEFA Europa League Group L by prevailing 1-0 at Maccabi Haifa FC on matchday one. Assistant coach Martin Haar will now take temporary charge, with PAOK FC due to come calling on Thursday.
