John van den Brom

Joseph Anthonius John van den Brom (born 4 October 1966) is a Dutch professional football manager and former player who is currently the manager of Eredivisie side FC Twente.

As a player, he played for Vitesse, Ajax, De Graafschap and Istanbulspor. After his playing career, Van den Brom became a manager. He worked as a head coach for AGOVV Apeldoorn (2007–2010), ADO Den Haag (2010–2011), Vitesse (2011–2012) and Anderlecht (2012–2014). After managing AZ for five years, he moved to take charge of FC Utrecht from the 2019–20 season.

Born in Amersfoort, Netherlands, Van den Brom started his career at the amateurs of APWC in Amersfoort before signing as a professional footballer for Vitesse in 1986. After seven seasons with Vitesse, playing 225 games and scoring 80 goals, he made the move to Dutch giants Ajax, where he played for two seasons before moving abroad with Turkish side Istanbulspor. He returned to Vitesse after one season, and spent another five seasons there before signing for De Graafschap for his final season, retiring from playing in 2003.

Van den Brom made two appearances for the Dutch national team. He played in the 8–0 win against Malta and the 6–0 win against San Marino. He scored one goal.

After his playing career he became head scout of De Graafschap and head coach of amateur side Bennekom, before becoming coach of the second team at Ajax, on 29 April 2004. From 2007 to 2010 he served as head coach of small Eerste Divisie club AGOVV Apeldoorn with impressive results, also winning a place in the promotion playoffs in his last season in charge. In May 2010 he was presented as new head coach of Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag, with whom he qualified for the 2011–12 Europa League. In June 2011, Van den Brom was named as head coach of his old club Vitesse. Again, he managed to qualify for the Europa League.

Van den Brom was appointed head coach of RSC Anderlecht in 29 May 2012.

In his first season, he led the team to win the Belgian Pro League title, also qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage. Anderlecht impressed domestically with attacking football and a strong focus on developing young talents. His second season was more turbulent. The club struggled in the league’s early stages and failed to progress beyond the Champions League group stage. Despite a late improvement, the board felt results and performances were not meeting expectations. As a result, Van den Brom was sacked on 10 March 2014 after a series of disappointing results.

van den Brom was appointed head coach of AZ Alkmaar on 27 September 2014.