NEC appoints Teun Jacobs as manager of football development on two-year deal

NEC introduced Teun Jacobs as its new manager of football development on Wednesday, signing him to a two‑year contract at the Goffert stadium. The former VVV‑Venlo technical director will take charge of the club’s overall football programme, succeeding Rini Coolen.

Jacobs spent the 2023‑24 season as technical director at VVV‑Venlo. Earlier, he held similar positions at Willem II and Almere City.

Before joining NEC, Jacobs served as a youth coach and head of the youth academy at the club. His familiarity with the organisation stems from those earlier roles.

He signs a two‑year deal, replacing Rini Coolen, who stepped away from the director of football role due to illness. Coolen had been absent from the club’s front office for an extended period.

“NEC has fantastic years behind it and I am glad that I can now contribute to continue that line,” Jacobs said in a club interview. “I look forward to the collaboration within this beautiful club.”

Nick Kersten, previously director of player policy, moves to the role of manager of scouting and transfers. The shift is part of NEC’s broader board restructuring.

“We have adjusted the structure whereby each is responsible for his area with a coordinating role and ultimate responsibility for me,” technical director Carlos Aalbers explained. “With Teun we bring a lot of experience from the football world, which the club already knows well, and his arrival allows us to further develop the football organisation.”