Verbeek appointed by Alkmaar
Thursday, April 22, 2010
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AZ Alkmaar have appointed Heracles Almelo coach Gertjan Verbeek to succeed Dick Advocaat next season on a three-year contract as they prepare for a UEFA Europa League campaign.
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Gertjan Verbeek will take over as AZ Alkmaar coach from Dick Advocaat on 1 July.
Verbeek, 47, has signed a three-year contract after leaving Heracles Almelo and succeeds now former Belgium coach Advocaat, who was appointed as Ronald Koeman's successor in December but was already due to step down at the end of the season. Verbeek, who joined Heracles last summer, has also coached SC Heerenveen and Feyenoord.
"AZ are a club with a good organisation and excellent facilities," Verbeek said. "Recent years have been marked by a consistent policy, managed and executed by skilful people. This has all led to success on the pitch and a talented squad."
Alkmaar have already booked a UEFA Europa League berth for next season. With one game to go, at home to AFC Ajax on 2 May, their current fourth place position would mean they begin in at least the third qualifying round.
