Gertjan Verbeek has been announced as the new head coach of Adelaide United.
The Dutchman, 56, replaces Marco Kurz in the Adelaide hot seat and joins the club on a two-year deal.
Verbeek boasts a wealth of top-flight Eredivisie experience, working first as an assistant coach to Foppe de Haan at Heerenveen for seven years, before joining Heracles Almelo.
Spells at Dutch giants Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar followed, and he guided the latter club to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals in 2011/12, before losing to La Liga side Valencia. He also won the 2013 KNVB Cup Final with Alkmaar, edging out PSV Eindhoven 2-1.
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Verbeek has also plied his trade in the Bundesliga at FC Nurnberg and with German second division club VfL Bochum, current home to Caltex Socceroo Robbie Kruse. He was most recently at the helm of Eredivisie outfit FC Twente, but parted company with the club in March 2018.
“I am very excited to be joining Adelaide United and cannot wait for this incredible opportunity to begin,” Verbeek said.
“I have followed Australian football for a while now and have admired the work ethic and passion Aussies have for the game.
I am coming to South Australia to improve the quality of football and establish a hungry and competitive team.
“I can promise the Adelaide United fans that our team will be incredibly hard-working and hope to entertain you all with some high-quality football.
“As I said, I am very excited for this journey and my family and I are very eager for it all to start.”
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