Van Basten extends deal to coach Young Ajax for another season
24 March: Marco van Basten has brought and end to weeks of
speculations about his future, by extending his contract with
Ajax. The legendary striker (39) will serve as John van 't
Schip's assistant as coach of Young Ajax for another season.
Van Basten does not wish to commit for longer than one
season only: "I want to live by the year."
Van Basten told Amsterdam's local news network AT5 about his
decision to stay at Ajax for at least another season earlier
this week. Ajax officially confirmed today that his
contract has been extended until 01 July 2005. In recent weeks
the Dutch football association (KNVB) attempted to land the
Ajax legend to coach the Dutch U-19 youth team. Van Basten
turned the offer down, but was soon contacted by PSV boss Guus
Hiddink, who had eyed Van Basten as his new assistant.
Hiddink's current assistant, Erwin Koeman, will leave to become
head-coach of RKC Waalwijk at season's end. Once again,
however, Van Basten did not accept.
Ever since his return to the world of football as a coach
Marco van Basten has told the press that he is not at all sure
whether he even has the ambition to pursue a career as a coach.
His coaching of Ajax A1 and his work as an
assistant of Ronald Koeman (Ajax-1) and John van 't
Schip (Young Ajax) must be regarded as Van Basten 'testing
the waters'. He repeatedly stated that he does not consider
himself ready to coach a professional team yet and underscores
that he is enjoying his work for Young Ajax.
It is now certain that he will continue to serve as Van 't
Schip's assistant for another season, after negotiations with
Ajax's general director Arie van Eijden and financial director
Jeroen Slop. In the second half of next season Van Basten will
decide about his (near) future once again. According to
persistent rumors at the Amsterdam ArenA Ajax regards the
former Ajax and AC Milan topscorer as a
future head-coach. (MP)
Sources: VI.nl, AT5, ANP
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