Maurice Steijn returns to save ADO Den Haag

Maurice Steijn is the new head coach of ADO Den Haag. The 52-year-old signed a contract on Friday until mid-2028 with the club he previously served as a player and coach.

After playing for ADO's youth and first teams, Steijn worked as a youth coach and head coach. He was on the touchline for exactly 100 matches at ADO. The Hague native subsequently coached VVV-Venlo, Ajax and Sparta Rotterdam, among others.

Steijn had been without a club since leaving Sparta last summer. That left him free to take charge at the club where Robin Peter was recently sacked because of poor results.

"In Maurice, we are bringing in an experienced head coach who knows the club better than anyone and understands what ADO Den Haag mean to the city and the supporters," said Director of Football Steven Gunn. "At Sparta, he has already shown that he can save a team from relegation and then help them develop further."

Gunn added: "He knows how to get the best out of his players, and we see his approach as a good foundation for achieving our aim of staying in the Eredivisie together."

Alongside Steijn, Jay Driessen and Levi Schwiebbe will serve as assistants, ADO announced. The new coach can get straight to work, with an away match against Ajax awaiting on 22 November.

The Hague club currently occupy 17th place in the Vriendenloterij Eredivisie. Last week, they beat Sparta 3-1 at home, moving five points clear of bottom club Willem II.

Before the winter break, ADO will play five more times in the Eredivisie. FC Utrecht and Excelsior will visit The Hague, while ADO have away matches against NEC and Willem II.