AZ Alkmaar coach Marco van Basten sidelined with health problems
AMSTERDAM (AP) AZ Alkmaar says coach Marco van Basten is taking a break until mid-September to recover from a health problem.
AZ says in a statement on Wednesday the former Ajax and AC Milan striker is being given "more time to rest."
The club's director of football, Earnest Stewart, says the club doctor has advised that "rest will speed up the recovery" of 49-year-old Van Basten, who was absent from his team's 3-1 win at Dordrecht on Saturday.
The club statement did not disclose the nature of Van Basten's condition. Dutch media have reported he is suffering from stress-related heart palpitations.
Van Basten is due back on Sept. 14, meaning he will miss a friendly against Belgian team Mechelen and a Dutch league matchup with his former club Heerenveen.
