[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-why-az-hired-echteld-2028-contract-extension-explained":61,"news-related-why-az-hired-echteld-2028-contract-extension-explained-en":105,"news-related-match-why-az-hired-echteld-2028-contract-extension-explained-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-38,-21,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":63,"category":64,"excerpt":65,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":66,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":70,"slug":71,"sourceName":72,"sourceURL":73,"teamId":74,"teamName":75,"teamIds":76,"teamNames":90,"title":104},"AZ Alkmaar has made a decisive move for its future, converting the interim appointment of Leeroy Echteld into a long-term commitment. The club announced that the head coach has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the helm until 2028. This decision, however, was not a sudden reaction to recent success but the culmination of a longer evaluation process.\n\nAccording to the club's leadership, the decision was effectively made well before the team's recent cup victory. The AZ board had already determined that Echteld's methods, philosophy, and leadership style aligned perfectly with the profile they had established for their next permanent head coach. The trophy win served as a public confirmation of their internal assessment, but the conviction was already there.\n\nIncoming football director Niels van Duinen provided the rationale behind the move. The club sought stability and a clear tactical direction, believing Echteld embodies both. His transition from interim to permanent manager is designed to provide continuity for a squad that has responded to his demanding approach. The extension signals a vote of confidence not just in the coach, but in the project he is building.\n\nEchteld's own words paint a picture of a manager who is far from complacent. Even on the day his new contract was announced, he was focused on standards. \"I was already angry this morning,\" he stated, referencing a training session he deemed subpar. He noted the players were fortunate he had to leave immediately for contract signing duties, making it clear the issue would be addressed the following day. This anecdote underscores the high-expectation environment he cultivates.\n\nThis managerial stability is a significant development for the Eredivisie. AZ, traditionally a club that develops talent and challenges the traditional top three, is now locking in a coach for a multi-year project. In a league where managerial tenures can be short, this long-term commitment suggests AZ is building for sustained success rather than short-term fixes. It provides a clear framework for player recruitment and youth development.\n\nFor the players at AZ, the message is unambiguous. The contract extension does not signal a relaxation of standards; if anything, it reinforces the coach's authority. Echteld's public criticism of training intensity, even on a celebratory day, serves as a powerful reminder that accountability remains paramount. The squad can expect the same demanding approach that has already yielded results.\n\nThe decision also reflects a broader trend in football where clubs are prioritizing cultural fit and long-term vision over chasing high-profile names. AZ identified a coach who understands the club's identity and can work within its structure. By securing Echteld until 2028, they have removed uncertainty and can now fully focus on executing their sporting strategy on the pitch.\n\nWith the managerial situation settled, AZ can now turn its full attention to the upcoming season. The club has made a clear statement of intent: they believe in Leeroy Echteld and the direction he is taking the team. The challenge now is to translate that belief into consistent performance across all competitions. Based on reporting from Voetbal International.","news","AZ Alkmaar extended interim coach Leeroy Echteld's contract to 2028 after the board found he met the future head coach profile before their cup victory.","328238076105068545","326135624748765184","Eredivisie","0","2026-05-08T16:30:00Z","why-az-hired-echteld-2028-contract-extension-explained","Voetbal International","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vi.nl\u002Fpro\u002Fwaarom-az-doorgaat-met-leeroy-echteld","326257536372051968","Metz",[74,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89],"326257546094448640","326257554264952832","326257569154732032","326257575404244992","326257613643714560","326257705134067712","326257710901235712","326255038072623104","326257695210344448","326222707169431552","326222713142120448","326257545754710016","326257546392244224",[75,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103],"Tottenham","Wellington Phoenix","Metalurh Zaporizhya","Vanløse","Hassania Agadir","Meteor Praha","Metallurg Lipetsk","AZ Alkmaar","Signal","Anderlecht","Canada","Newcastle","Nottingham Forest","Why AZ Hired Echteld: 2028 Contract Extension Explained",[106,136,164,188],{"awayTeamId":107,"awayTeamName":108,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":109,"homeTeamId":110,"homeTeamName":111,"id":112,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":113,"matchName":114,"publishedAt":115,"slug":116,"sourceName":117,"sourceURL":118,"teamId":119,"teamName":120,"teamIds":121,"teamNames":128,"title":135},"326257563194626048","PSV Eindhoven","Michel, recently relegated with Girona, takes the helm at Ajax on a contract until 2028. The Spanish coach faces a task to restore the Dutch giants' glory.","326257563052019712","Ajax","337336321917849601","326329519185072128","Ajax vs PSV Eindhoven","2026-06-02T18:39:01Z","michel-to-ajax-coach-signs-until-2028-after-relegation","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FRelegue-avant-son-depart-de-gerone-michel-devient-l-entraineur-de-l-ajax-amsterdam\u002F1681252#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326255041704890368","Rayo Vallecano",[119,110,107,122,86,123,124,125,126,127],"326257638553686016","326222712936599552","326255038034874368","326255039846813696","326257565669265408","326257563425312768",[120,111,108,129,100,130,131,132,133,134],"Huesca","Paraguay","FSV Mainz 05","FK Partizan","Girona","Feyenoord","Michel to Ajax: Coach Signs Until 2028 After Relegation",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":137,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":138,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":139,"slug":140,"sourceName":141,"sourceURL":142,"teamId":143,"teamName":144,"teamIds":145,"teamNames":154,"title":163},"Alejandro Grimaldo hints at summer exit as Denzel Dumfries emerges as Real Madrid target. Transfer rumors intensify around Bayer Leverkusen and Inter stars.","337324149091340289","2026-06-02T09:50:39Z","why-grimaldo-flirts-with-transfer-dumfries-to-real","Kicker","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kicker.de\u002Ftransferticker-953155\u002Fartikel#omrss","326255039712595968","Başakşehir",[143,146,147,148,149,150,151,152,153,86,88,89],"326257534270705664","326257580877811712","326257599160782848","326257760532434944","326257783785656320","326257534396534784","326257565535047680","326257539769438208",[144,155,156,157,158,159,160,161,162,100,102,103],"Werder Bremen","Mito Hollyhock","Istra 1961","İstanbulspor","Istres","Bayer Leverkusen","Real Madrid","Inter","Why Grimaldo Flirts with Transfer: Dumfries to Real?",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":165,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":166,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":167,"slug":168,"sourceName":169,"sourceURL":170,"teamId":127,"teamName":134,"teamIds":171,"teamNames":179,"title":187},"Raheem Sterling, 31, arrested for drug-driving after M3 crash. On bail, the ex-England star joined Feyenoord in February, but his career slide deepens.","336211070785949697","2026-05-30T16:25:20Z","sterling-s-drug-driving-arrest-what-it-means-for-his-career","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc1l212ez1m0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss",[127,172,173,174,175,176,177,178],"326257546220277760","326257546258026496","326222712496197632","326257545918287872","326257812931874816","326222711682502656","326257545968619520",[134,180,181,182,183,184,185,186],"Chelsea","Manchester City","Netherlands","Liverpool","Stamford","England","Arsenal","Sterling's Drug-Driving Arrest: What It Means for His Career",{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":189,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":190,"leagueId":67,"leagueName":68,"matchId":69,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":191,"slug":192,"sourceName":141,"sourceURL":193,"teamId":151,"teamName":160,"teamIds":194,"teamNames":201,"title":208},"Rogier Meijer leaves his role as assistant at Bayer Leverkusen to become Sparta Rotterdam's new head coach, returning to the Eredivisie after one year.","334258960569733121","2026-05-25T07:08:08Z","how-meijer-s-leverkusen-stint-led-to-sparta-head-coach-job","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.kicker.de\u002Fbayers-co-trainer-meijer-wird-chefcoach-bei-sparta-rotterdam-1222579\u002Fartikel#omrss",[151,195,143,196,197,148,198,81,199,174,200,86,87],"326257563765051392","326255040920555520","326257593141956608","326257606744084480","326257563534364672","326222712076767232",[160,202,144,203,204,157,205,95,206,182,207,100,101],"Sparta Rotterdam","Beitar Jerusalem","Chattanooga","Beijing Guoan","NEC Nijmegen","Germany","How Meijer's Leverkusen Stint Led to Sparta Head Coach Job"]