With the 2010/11 campaign set to kick-off on Friday, we take a look at the Eredivisie contenders.
With the 2010/11 campaign set to kick-off on Friday, skysports.com takes a look at the Eredivisie contenders.
Following the Netherlands' run to the World Cup final this summer, expectations are high for the new Eredivisie season, which gets underway this weekend. Gone are the days when Ajax or PSV Eindhoven were certain to lift the trophy before the season had even begun, with several clubs looking promising this term. Not to say the big guns will not pose a threat this campaign, with financially-stricken Ajax managing to hold onto several of their World Cup stars and PSV entering the new season with an exciting young squad. As for reigning champions FC Twente, it will be interesting to see whether they can maintain their winning ways in the absence of departed manager Steve McClaren and with the added pressure of playing UEFA Champions League football. At the other end of the scale, newly promoted De Graafschap and Excelsior will be looking to stamp their mark on the Dutch top flight and avoid the drop this term. For a more detailed look at what you can expect from the clubs competing in the Eredivisie this season, cast your eye over
skysports.com's in-depth guide below.
ADO Den Haag
Manager: John van den Brom
Stadium: Kyocera Stadion
Star man: Danny Buys
League position in 2009/10: 15th
Overview: ADO Den Haag will start the season with the aim to avoid the relegation play-offs. The club lack the qualities needed to move ahead in the top flight, despite coming from the fourth largest city of the Netherlands. Den Haag are set to keep captain Danny Buys at the club despite the interest of English club Derby County. Their major signing this summer is Dmitri Bulykin, who has completed a loan move from Belgian giants Anderlecht, while John van den Brom has been appointed as their new coach.
AZ Alkmaar
Manager: Gertjan Verbeek
Stadium: AZ Stadion
Star man: Sergio Romero
League position in 2009/10: 5th
Overview: In the 2008-09 season, AZ were the first club other than Dutch giants Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord to win the league since the 1980s. The club were looking to stay at the top, but those plans were dashed with the bankruptcy of owner, chairman and main sponsor Dirk Scheringa. AZ still have the funds to finish in the top five of the Eredivisie, but it will be hard for them to be champions again. The club were forced to cut costs due to the financial situation and have already sold David Mendes da Silva (Red Bull Salzburg) and Mounir El Hamdaoui (Ajax). Jeremain Lens was sold to PSV, for which the club received an undisclosed amount of money and 22-year-old Dirk Marcellis. Belgian attacker Moussa Dembele and Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero are also keen on a transfer and AZ are looking to co-operate. Gertjan Verbeek was appointed as the club's new coach this summer. He is well known in the Netherlands for inspiring improvement in young players, which is also the strategy for the next few years at AZ.
Ajax
Manager: Martin Jol
Stadium: Amsterdam Arena
Star man: Luis Suarez
League position in 2009/10: 2nd
Overview: Ajax will always be a favourite to win the Eredivisie. There is one problem: the club haven't won the league since 2004. Ajax are desperate to get a third star on their shirt for winning the 30th league title in their history. They only missed out last season by
