Feyenoord have announced that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will replace the departing Fred Rutten as first team coach at the end of the season.
- By Michael Bell
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Van Bronckhorst, who played more than 200 times for Feyenoord as a player, has been an assistant coach at the club since 2011, but has now signed a two-year-deal to become the new head coach when Fred Rutten leaves at the end of this season. Jean Paul van Gastel has also signed a new three-year-deal at De Kuip, and will act as Van Bronckhorst’s assistant.
Feyenoord director Martin van Geel told the official club website, “We are confident that Giovanni after three years under Ronald Koeman and a year under Fred Rutten is ready for this step,”
Van Bronckhorst said on the position, “A huge honour.”
“I started at the club as a Newbie and after a long career now become head coach, it fills me with pride,”
“As an assistant, I learned a lot from both Ronald Koeman as Fred Rutten. A great challenge, which I really looking forward to.”
A great yet somewhat risky hire. There are no better options. We don’t need another retread, we need someone that can be here for the next 10 years, and maybe more important, wants to be here. The risk is he could fail. He is unproven at this level, but has close ties to most of the team. I am hoping to see modern and aggressive soccer in the near future.