PEC Zwolle appoints Alex Pastoor as new head coach after Henry van der Vegt's dismissal

Appointment

PEC Zwolle has appointed Alex Pastoor as head coach, succeeding Henry van der Vegt, who was dismissed in mid-October over disappointing results. NOS and Telegraaf put Pastoor's age at 60, while AD.nl gives 61. Telegraaf reported that Pastoor was seen on Saturday morning in the club car park with his agents, and that the signatures were reportedly already in place. According to that report, the club was expected to present its new coach on Saturday morning.

Contract and first training

The reports differ on how long the deal runs. NOS says the contract lasts until the summer of 2027, while Telegraaf says it initially runs until the end of the season. NOS adds that Pastoor will meet the squad for the first time on Monday, 9 November. Pastoor said of the group:

“The squad has potential, as can clearly be seen in recent weeks. That makes me very keen to work together towards maximum performance and maximum results.”

Career path

After a playing career, the Amsterdam-born Pastoor moved into coaching, and his first real job in professional football came at Excelsior in 2009. AD.nl lists later spells at NEC, Sparta Praag, AZ, Sparta Rotterdam, SC Rheindorf Altach in Austria and Almere City. NOS says he won promotion to the top flight with Excelsior, Sparta Rotterdam and Almere City, and kept each of those clubs up the following season. Telegraaf names Almere City as his last club as head coach.

In 2024 he stepped away from head coaching for the time being. A year later he became assistant to Patrick Kluivert with the Indonesia national team, a role AD.nl places in 2025. Telegraaf adds that he has since worked as a football analyst.

Interim period and staff

Dennis van der Ree and Maikel van der Werff led the team in the last five matches on an interim basis, and NOS reports that they return as assistant coaches. Telegraaf says the pair achieved good results in that stretch. Goalkeeping coach Diederik Boer completes the group supporting Pastoor.