Sentiment played major role in Steijn's return: 'Your ADO heart opens'

Steijn, born and raised in The Hague, returns to ADO after emotional pull from the club's struggles; signed two-year deal with no relegation clause.

Maurice Steijn has returned to ADO Den Haag as manager, driven by sentiment and his lifelong connection to the club. The 52-year-old, who was born in The Hague, played in ADO's youth academy from age eight and made his professional breakthrough there in the 1990s before beginning his coaching career at the club this century.

Steijn was approached after Robin Peter's departure and found it difficult to refuse. "Your ADO heart opens when things aren't going well with the club," he told the press at his presentation. He has signed a two-year contract with no relegation clause.

The manager confirmed that conversations with the board and technical staff gave him confidence in the project and the right feeling to help keep ADO in the Eredivisie.

Steijn has a track record of preventing relegation, notably stepping in at Sparta in 2022 with four matches remaining and securing survival. His primary goal at ADO is the same. He acknowledged his family had reservations about the move, but they now fully support his decision. The club will also enter the winter transfer market to strengthen the squad, though Steijn ruled out a return for his son Sem.