“When I look at AZ’s youth academy now, I think the supply line is very good. But we have to try to keep talented boys in for just one more year. If they don’t leave too early, we can take a step forward in terms of sport. However, income will have to grow accordingly, because keeping those young boys longer costs money.”
As examples he mentions former players Teun Koopmeiners and Tijjani Reijnders who made a splash in the first team and were then sold for millions and now play football in Italy for Juventus and AC Milan respectively.
Gateway to Alkmaar
While predecessor Robert Eenhoorn indicated that he was reaching the limits of AZ’s growth, Zeeman says he sees opportunities to challenge the more financially powerful clubs Ajax, Feyenoord and AZ.
Text continues below the photo.