NAC has presented Jean-Paul van Gastel as its new trainer. The Breda-born coach signs a contract until the end of the year with an option for two more seasons. Van Gastel previously worked in China and at Feyenoord. He was an assistant there for eight years and during that period the club became national champions, among other things. NAC has had eleven trainers since 2015 and is now in a disappointing 15th place in the Kitchen Champion Division.
NAC was looking for a new trainer after the dismissal of Peter Hyballa. The German trainer had to leave due to an unworkable situation within the organization. After a search of almost two weeks, Jean Paul van Gastel has been presented as the new head coach.
Van Gastel is best known for his period at Feyenoord. The Brabander was an assistant there for eight years and managed to become national champion, among other things. As a player he also played for the Rotterdam team in the past. He also played for Willem II and De Graafschap, among others.
‘Honoured’
After his time at Feyenoord, he became an assistant and later head coach at the Chinese Guangzhou. The trainer had now been clubless for more than a year. He is therefore happy with the opportunity he gets at De Parel van Het Zuiden. “I feel very honored to be appointed head coach at NAC. Trainer/coach of NAC is a challenging and attractive position. This club in my city has a beating football heart. Many challenges will come our way, but together we will overcome the engage in battle.”
To say that the trainer position at NAC is a challenging job is an understatement. Eleven different faces have represented the group at the Breda club since 2015. This season has been very disappointing so far. NAC is in fifteenth place with seven points.
‘A lot of attention’
Technical director Peter Maas: “We did not do this overnight. Both parties have carefully considered this decision. And that decision feels good. Jean-Paul has proven that he is an excellent master of his profession and is a man of the city. We were pleased to see how many suitable trainers were interested in the vacancy at NAC. We are convinced that we have selected the best.”
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