Adriaanse in at Alkmaar

Former AFC Ajax coach Co Adriaanse has been handed the reins at AZ Alkmaar.
 
Van Stee replaced
The 55-year-old steps into the vacancy left by Wednesday's departure of Henk van Stee by mutual consent. His new side, who have already shipped 23 goals in nine domestic games this season, are languishing in 12th place in the Eredivisie.

First session
Adriaanse has signed a contract until the summer of 2005 and will take his first training session on Saturday. The club will be hoping he can match his feat at Willem II, when he guided them into the UEFA Champions League in 1999.

Sacked last year
Adriaanse was himself sacked by Ajax following their UEFA Cup second-round exit last season and replaced by Ronald Koeman, who subsequently led the Amsterdam club to their first Eredivisie title since 1998.