Skip to main content

AZ coach Van Basten sidelined with health problem

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.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hail to the chief: Take our presidential trivia quiz

EDITOR'S NOTE: WTOP first brought you this quiz in 2019. Presidents Day is coming. How well do you know the less-important facts about the nation's leaders? Take WTOP's quiz — with any luck, it won't take you all Presidents Day to finish it.
Read Next Story