On the opposing bench for the clash at the Euroborg was a familiar face in Dutch football. The “De Trainer” section of the matchday programme featured AZ manager John van den Brom, who had recently returned to the Eredivisie with a renewed sense of purpose.
After a tumultuous two-year stint in Belgium with RSC Anderlecht that ended prematurely, Van den Brom was eager to get back onto the training pitch. He took over the reins at AZ after Marco van Basten famously stepped back from the head coach role due to health reasons. “I was happy to be working again,” Van den Brom noted, praising the technical staff around him, including Van Basten and Dennis Haar, for creating a stable environment where he could immediately focus on tactical adjustments.
Looking ahead to the match against FC Groningen, the Alkmaar boss shared a warm tactical nod to his former colleague, Erwin van de Looi. The two had played together in the 1992/1993 season at Vitesse. Van den Brom fondly recalled Van de Looi as a tough, reliable defender, noting that they had always maintained good contact over the years. Now, they were crossing swords as tactical rivals.
A Look into the Future
John van den Brom‘s tenure at AZ proved highly successful, stabilizing the club and securing European football consistently over his five-year spell. His friendly rivalry with Erwin van de Looi highlights the deeply interwoven relationships within Dutch football, where former teammates frequently evolve into touchline adversaries shaping the modern Eredivisie.