Louis van Gaal has agreed a three-year contract to take over at AZ Alkmaar next season, the Dutch first division club have confirmed.
The former Dutch national coach will succeed Co Adriaanse, who announced last week that he would leave the club in the close season when his contract expires.
“My decision to work for AZ is based on three criteria,” said Van Gaal.
“They have a stable organisation, where I believe that I can do my work in the right way and the quality of the squad shows lots of opportunities.”
“The ambition of the club fits in with my own ambition.”
Van Gaal started his coaching career in 1986 in Alkmaar before moving to Ajax, where he led the club to success in the 1995 Champions League final.
In 1997 Van Gaal moved to Barcelona but resigned in his third year. He became the coach of the Dutch national teamin 2000 but stepped down after failing to reach the 2002 World Cup.
A return to Ajax as technical director was shortlived and Van Gaal left the club in October last year after clashing with coach Ronald Koeman about the club’s ambitions.
