Van Basten to take over as AZ coach
Apr 18, 2014 1:43:00 PM
The Ajax and AC Milan legend revealed earlier this season that he won't be renewing his contract with Heerenveen and is now set to take over the Alkmaar club next term
Former Netherlands star Marco van Basten has agreed a deal with Eredivisie side AZ to take over as head coach in the summer, replacing Dick Advocaat.
The ex-Ajax boss had already confirmed his intention to leave Heerenveen at the end of the season and will move to the AFAS Stadion once formalities have been completed.
A statement on AZ's official website on Friday read: "AZ and Marco van Basten have reached a verbal agreement on a contract as head coach until the summer of 2016. The 49-year-old will succeed Dick Advocaat.
"The last formalities will be completed in the next few days, after which the Utrecht-born coach can be presented."
A prolific striker during his playing career with Ajax and Milan, Van Basten moved into management in 2003 when he coached the Ajax youth team before becoming national team coach between 2004 and 2008. He then returned to coach Ajax's first-team but resigned finishing third in his only season in charge, insisting he couldn't take the club any further.
Van Basten has spent the last two seasons in charge of Heerenveen, taking them into the Europa League playoffs each time. With the club struggling financially, they are set to lose several key players in the summer with no promise of reinvesting in the squad, and so, Van Basten made clear that he would not be renewing his contract with the Frisian side.
The coach will take over from Advocaat, who joined earlier in the season following the sacking of Gertjan Verbeek, but, despite keeping them in the Europa League playoff spots, he also revealed earlier in the season that he would not remain at the Alkmaar club beyond the summer.
