Verbeek handed Heerenveen extension
Friday, January 20, 2006
Article summary
SC Heerenveen have awarded coach Gertjan Verbeek a two-year contract extension, keeping the 43-year-old at the Dutch Eredivisie club until summer 2008.
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Replacing a legend
Verbeek took over at Heerenveen in summer 2004, succeeding club legend Foppe de Haan who had become the longest-serving coach in Dutch football having reigned since 1992. His replacement enjoyed initial success, guiding Heerenveen into the UEFA Cup for the second successive season by virtue of a fifth-placed finish in 2004/05. In addition, Heerenveen reached the UEFA Cup Round of 32 last term, a feat they have repeated in the current campaign. Verbeek's team will play FC Steaua Bucuresti on 15 and 23 February.
Eight-year stay
Verbeek, previously in charge of Heracles Almelo, was already familiar with Heerenveen when he took over, having been assistant to De Haan for eight years from 1993. He then struck out on his own by moving to Heracles, before returning to the Abe Lenstra stadium as coach three years later.
