AZ immediately dismisses Pascal Jansen, Maarten Martens takes over

AZ’s decision comes a day after the cup match with Quick Boys. The Alkmaarders only defeated the amateurs after penalties. AZ has also been doing poorly in the Premier League lately.

Before the winter break, AZ suffered a hard defeat against PSV (0-4) in front of its own audience and last weekend the number four in the Eredivisie had little to say when visiting competitor FC Twente (2-1).

Text continues below the tweet.

In December 2020, Jansen took over from the suddenly dismissed Arne Slot. Initially to just take over that season. However, both parties were very satisfied with each other. In the years that followed, Jansen extended his contract twice.

Under Jansen, AZ finished third in 2021, fifth in 2022 and fourth last season. This season started quite well in terms of results against often lesser opponents. But the Alkmaarders rarely sparkled in their way of playing football. The supporters then increasingly turned against the head coach. Especially at the end of December against PSV, the fans used white handkerchiefs to let them know that they were done with the coach.

Text continues below the tweet.

Technical director Max Huiberts said the following on the AZ website. “Despite the difficult and drastic decision, we are grateful to Pascal for what he has meant to the club over the past five years. We wish him every success in his further career.”

The now dismissed Pascal Jansen also responds to the decision of the Alkmaar club. “I have been around the football world long enough that I know this can be part of it. It is of course a shame and disappointing, because I was very competitive to successfully complete the season with AZ.”

Text continues below the image.

Now it is up to Maarten Martens to end the season on a good note. The Belgian coach played very successfully for the Alkmaar team for many years. The highlight was the national title in 2009. After his active career, the former crowd favorite soon ended up in the coaching profession.

First at Club Brugge as a youth coach and then he returned to his AZ. From 2021 to 2023 he was ultimately responsible for Jong AZ. This season he assisted Jansen as an assistant. This weekend AZ will visit PEC Zwolle with Martens as head coach.