AZ
AZ Alkmaar, founded in 1967 through a merger of Alkmaar '54 and FC Zaanstreek, is a Dutch professional football club based in Alkmaar and the Zaan district. The club competes in the Eredivisie, the Netherlands' top football league, and plays its home matches at the AFAS Stadion with a capacity of 19,500. AZ has achieved notable success in Dutch football, winning the Eredivisie twice (1980-81 and 2008-09), claiming four KNVB Cup titles, and reaching the UEFA Cup final in 1981, making them one of the few clubs outside the traditional "big three" to win the Dutch championship.
History
Overview
General information about the club
AZ Alkmaar, officially known as Alkmaar Zaanstreek, was established on 10 May 1967 as AZ '67 following the merger of Alkmaar '54 and FC Zaanstreek. The club represents both Alkmaar and the Zaan district, competing in the Eredivisie as one of the Netherlands' premier football institutions. Throughout its history, AZ has been known for developing talent and achieving success beyond expectations for a club outside the traditional Dutch football elite.
Most recent season and achievements
In the 2023-24 season, AZ experienced disappointment with early elimination from the UEFA Conference League group stage and struggled in domestic competitions. After only managing to defeat amateur club Quick Boys on penalty shootout in the KNVB Cup, the club dismissed coach Pascal Jansen on 17 January 2024. Under new manager Maarten Martens, a former AZ player, the club recovered to finish fourth in the league, securing Europa League qualification for the following season.
History
Early years
AZ's foundation story begins with its predecessor clubs. Alkmaar '54 was established as a professional team in April 1954 to compete in the 10-team NBVB league, created when the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) initially refused to organize professional football. Notably, Alkmaar '54 played the first professional match in Netherlands football history on 14 August 1954, defeating Venlo '54 3-0 at home with Klaas Smit scoring the first and third goals. After winning the Eerste Divisie in 1960-61, the club spent one season in the Eredivisie.
FC Zaanstreek had deeper roots, originally playing since 1910 as the Kooger Football Club (KFC). The club nearly achieved national championship glory in 1934, narrowly losing to Ajax in the finals. KFC became professional in 1955, and in 1964 the professional section was renamed FC Zaanstreek while amateurs continued as KFC.
The merger was orchestrated by brothers Cees and Klaas Molenaar, former KFC players and trainers who owned a growing appliance store chain. After the Zaanlandsche Football Club leadership blocked their initial merger attempt, the Molenaars successfully combined FC Zaanstreek with Alkmaar '54 in 1967. The new club was based in Alkmaar, though the second team initially trained and played in Koog aan de Zaan.
Successful period
The Molenaar brothers' investment transformed AZ into a major force in Dutch football during the late 1970s and early 1980s. After acquiring large debts through expensive foreign player signings, the Molenaars bailed out the club in 1972 and invested heavily, leading to remarkable success.
AZ's golden era culminated in 1981 when they became Dutch champions, breaking the dominance of the "big three" (Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV) in a 44-year period spanning 1965 to 2009. The championship was won with overwhelming power, claiming 27 victories from 34 matches with only one defeat, scoring a club record 101 goals while conceding just 30. That same season, AZ reached the UEFA Cup final, losing 5-4 on aggregate to Ipswich Town.
Key figures during this period included manager Georg Keßler (1978-82) and star players such as Kees Kist, the club's all-time leading goalscorer with 212 goals who became the first Dutchman to win the European Golden Boot in 1979 with 34 goals. Other notable players included Jan Peters, Hugo Hovenkamp who earned 31 caps for the Netherlands national team, John Metgod, and Danish forward Kristen Nygaard who scored 104 goals in 363 matches over ten years.
Crisis and recovery
AZ's fortunes declined after Cees Molenaar died in 1979 and his brother Klaas Molenaar left the club in 1985. Following several mid-table finishes, the club suffered relegation in 1988, ending with 28 points from 34 matches and falling to the Eerste Divisie due to Roda JC's superior goal difference. This relegation occurred just seven years after their historic domestic success and marked the end of AZ's first golden period.
The revival began with businessman Dirk Scheringa's involvement in the mid-1990s. AZ returned to the Eredivisie by winning the 1997-98 Eerste Divisie title and gradually rebuilt their reputation. The club achieved consecutive middle-table finishes before securing third place in the 2004-05 Eredivisie season, their highest position in 23 years. In 2006, AZ moved to their new 17,000 capacity stadium, the AZ Stadion.
Despite strong performances in 2006-07, the season ended in disappointment. Entering the final matchday leading the league table on goal difference ahead of PSV and Ajax, AZ finished third after losing to 16th-placed Excelsior while playing with ten men for 80 minutes. They also lost the KNVB Cup final to Ajax 8-7 on penalties and fell to Ajax in Champions League qualification playoffs.
The remarkable 2008-09 season saw AZ claim their second Eredivisie title under Louis van Gaal. After two opening defeats, the team went 28 matches unbeaten, including 11 consecutive matches without conceding a goal. AZ secured the championship three weeks before the season's end, finishing ahead of Twente and Ajax comfortably.
Current period
Recent years have seen managerial changes and varying degrees of success. Ronald Koeman succeeded van Gaal but was dismissed after losing seven of his first 16 matches. Dick Advocaat and Gertjan Verbeek followed, with the latter achieving consistent European qualification and winning the 2012-13 KNVB Cup.
John van den Brom managed the club from 2014-2019, leading AZ back to European competition and developing young talents. Under Arne Slot, AZ challenged for the title in 2019-20 before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season early, with AZ finishing second to Ajax on goal difference.
The current era under Maarten Martens began in January 2024 following Pascal Jansen's dismissal. Martens, a former AZ player, guided the club to fourth place and Europa League qualification. In 2025, AZ reached the KNVB Cup final but lost to Go Ahead Eagles on penalties. The club extended Martens' contract until summer 2028 on 9 May 2025.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
AZ has achieved significant success in Dutch domestic competitions throughout its history. The club's most prestigious accomplishments include two Eredivisie championships, won in 1980-81 and 2008-09, making them one of only a few clubs outside the traditional "big three" to claim the Dutch title.
The club has also won the KNVB Cup on four occasions, demonstrating consistent performance in knockout competition. Additionally, AZ has claimed one Johan Cruyff Shield, further cementing their place among Dutch football's successful clubs.
Continental and global competitions
AZ's most notable international achievement came in 1981 when they reached the UEFA Cup final, ultimately losing 5-4 on aggregate to Ipswich Town. This remains the club's finest moment in European competition and highlighted their ability to compete at the highest continental level.
The club has regularly participated in European competitions, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League. In recent years, AZ reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League in 2011-12, losing to Valencia, and advanced to the round of 16 in the Europa Conference League in 2022-23 before falling to West Ham United.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
The source material does not provide specific information about AZ's current logo design or detailed logo history.
Traditional home and away kits colors
The source material does not contain specific information about AZ's traditional kit colors or home and away kit designs.
Traditional club anthem
The source material does not include information about AZ's traditional club anthem.
Traditional Rivals
Ajax
AZ has developed a notable rivalry with Ajax, stemming from competitive encounters in crucial matches. The rivalry intensified during AZ's successful periods, particularly when competing for league titles and in cup competitions. A significant incident occurred during the 2011-12 KNVB Cup quarter-finals when an Ajax fan invaded the pitch and attacked AZ goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado, leading to the match being abandoned and later replayed, with AZ ultimately winning 3-2.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
AZ's stadium has undergone several naming rights changes reflecting different sponsorship deals. Originally opened as the DSB Stadion in 2006, the venue was temporarily renamed AZ Stadion after sponsor DSB Bank went bankrupt in October 2009. Construction service provider BUKO became the main sponsor in February 2010, followed by AFAS Software taking over stadium naming rights during the 2010-11 season. The stadium is currently known as the AFAS Stadion.
Nicknames
The source material does not provide specific information about AZ's traditional nicknames.
Ownership and finances
The club has experienced various ownership structures throughout its history. The Molenaar brothers played a crucial role as owners and investors during AZ's most successful period in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Later, businessman Dirk Scheringa became involved in the mid-1990s, helping to revive the club's fortunes and facilitating their return to the Eredivisie.
Traditions and culture
AZ has maintained strong connections to both Alkmaar and the Zaan district since its formation through the merger of clubs from both regions. The club's reserve team, Jong AZ, continues to train and play home games in Zaanstad, maintaining the historical connection to the Zaan area. During the stadium's design phase, the name "Victorie Stadion" was frequently proposed, referencing the Dutch War of Independence phrase "In Alkmaar begint de victorie" (Victory begins in Alkmaar), though this name was never officially adopted.
Stadium
AZ plays at the AFAS Stadion, located in the southern part of Alkmaar. The stadium, directly owned by the club, opened in 2006 with an initial capacity of 17,023, replacing the old Alkmaarderhout venue. The facility has undergone significant changes, including a dramatic incident on 10 August 2019 when the roof partially collapsed, forcing AZ to play home matches at the Cars Jeans Stadion in The Hague for several months.
Following the roof collapse, AZ returned to their stadium on 15 December 2019, defeating Ajax 1-0 in their first match back. The club played the remainder of the 2019-20 season without a roof until the COVID-19 pandemic cut the season short. During the 2020-21 season, a new roof was installed using 20 crane-like arms on three sides and a mega truss on the main stand. The renovation also increased capacity to 19,500 seats, and the renewed stadium was officially opened on 11 September 2021 before a home match against PSV.
The club's board had previously considered expanding capacity to at least 30,000 by constructing a second tier on three of the four stands, but these plans were put on hold after the DSB bankruptcy and have not been revived.