'Love working with these guys': AZ hire interim boss Leeroy Echteld on permanent basis

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/az-alkmaar/2RxOow1i/"]AZ[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/echteld-leeroy/QBVjw3nl/"]Echteld[/a] announced an agreement on a two-year extension on Friday, ensuring that the 57-year-old will remain the first-team manager.[/p][p][b]"From the moment I was appointed, I set myself two goals: to work my hardest every day and to enjoy it," [/b]Echteld said on the club website. [b]"I love working with those lads every day and seeing them develop."[/b][/p][p]Echteld took over from the fired [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martens-maarten/WMVeuarG/"]Maarten Martens[/a] in January, after which he led the team to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Conference League and a Dutch Cup win after beating [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nijmegen/nRluRF0T/"]NEC Nijmegen[/a] 5-1 on April 19th.[/p][embed guid="a9de15ff-d04c-42ba-92de-5fba40976b54" url="https://x.com/AZAlkmaar/status/2052689468142801061?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The KNVB Beker victory was special to Echteld, who managed Jong AZ prior to taking over the first team. [b]"Of course, winning the cup was an absolute highlight. The players have written their names in the history books,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]"At the same time, I can see that there is still a lot of potential in the squad. Among other things, we want to become more consistent over the long term."[/b][/p][p]AZ are currently sixth in the Dutch Eredivisie. Through their KNVB Beker victory, AZ are guaranteed to at least make the League Phase of next season's UEFA Europa League. In the unlikely event that the Alkmaar outfit finish third in the league, they'll enter the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League and the fourth-placed team will directly qualify for the UEFA Europa League's League Phase.[/p]