Brandts leads NAC to all-time high

Third place
Having been knocked out of the 2003/04 UEFA Cup first round by Newcastle United FC, NAC have been more concerned with relegation than continental competition. But a 3-0 win defeat of Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday lifted them above Feyenoord into third place, with all of the top five guaranteed at least a UEFA Cup place and the chance of a play-off to reach the UEFA Champions League. And NAC, traditionally a yo-yo club bouncing between the top two divisions, look on course to achieve their highest-ever league finish since the Eredivisie was set up in 1956/57, currently fourth place in 2002/03 under Henk ten Cate, now assistant at Chelsea FC.

Experience
The club began 2008 with a nine-match unbeaten run, including a 4-2 Dutch Cup victory against AFC Ajax, who ended the run on 24 February with a 3-2 league win. But NAC are now in the cup semi-finals, and Earnie Brandts has assembled a solid and experienced team including the likes of like Csaba Fehér, Jonas Kolkka, Victor Sikoraand and Anthony Lurling, who have all played for either Ajax, Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven. "It all starts with collecting points, and when the points are coming, then there is calmness and then you can start working on playing good football," Brandts explained. "Football starts with good organisation, working hard, building self-confidence and then success will come"

New coach
However, if NAC qualify for Europe they will be led by Robert Maaskant, announced as coach for next season after the club announced Brandts's contract would not be extended beyond the summer. "I'm not disappointed," Brandts said. "NAC have the right to continue with another coach. The board thinks I cannot do better next season, and I cannot prove them wrong. I am not angry, I am a happily married man." That level-headed approach has reaped rewards for NAC so far this term.