Pieter Huistra has been confirmed as the new coach of FC Groningen
from next season.
Huistra, a former Groningen player, will take over from Ron
Jans, who will step down at the end of the current campaign after
eight years in charge.
The 42-year-old moves to Groningen from Ajax, where he is
currently in charge of the Amsterdammers' youth team. He will be
assisted by Erwin van Looi, who is Groningen's youth-team boss,
with both men having signed two-year deals.
Technical manager Henk Veldmate told the club's official
website: "After eight years with Ron Jans we obviously had to look
for a successor.
"We have, from the start of our search, had Pieter Huistra in
mind as a potential candidate.
"Last weekend we talked extensively with him for the first
time and his vision and ideas matched ours. We know Pieter and he
knows us.
"He is a young, bright coach with tremendous drive and
ambition. Pieter also has an affinity with Groningen."
