Groningen hire Maaskant

Robert Maaskant is the new coach at FC Groningen after signing a one-year deal with the Eredivisie club.

The former NAC Breda and Wisla Krakow coach joined Texas Dutch Lions FC as an advisor earlier this month but has now left the role to join Groningen, replacing Pieter Huistra who was sacked earlier this month after leading the club to 14th place in the Eredivisie.
Maaskant won the Polish league title with Krakow in 2011 and the club are hoping the 43-year-old can bring success back to the Euroborg club who suffered a disappointing season this time around after finishing fifth in the 2010-11 campaign.
Groningen technical director Henk Veldmate told the club's official website: "After the departure of Pieter Huistra, we had a clear preference for a candidate from outside of the club.
"We believe our current situation calls for a sporting breath of fresh air and we think, as a coach and a person, Robert Maaskant is the right man to bring us that. He has extensive experience at the highest level and that may be of value for our squad."