The rumors have already spread and have now been confirmed by Visma-Lease a Bike itself: sporting director Merijn Zeeman will leave the Dutch first team at the end of this season for a new adventure. “I made this decision with pain in my heart,” he said. Zeman turns to football and starts working for Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar.
Merijn Zeeman has been a key player in the Visma team for many years. He has been working there since 2012 and became sporting director in 2017. So he contributed to the team's success. But at the end of this cycling season, his cycling adventure is completely over.
The rumors that have been circulating since yesterday are true: Zeman will start working at Alkmaar, a football club in the Eredivisie.
“This is a difficult decision that I make with a heavy heart,” he said in a statement. “I've been working on this with all my heart and soul for 13 years. We've come a long way together and are now one of the best cycling teams in the world. I'm extremely proud of that. We've made history and 2023 has been an absolute icing on the cake.” Highlight. “
“But I think everyone should keep challenging themselves. For me, this challenge is a step towards AZ.”
I have been working on this with all my heart and soul for 13 years. We have come a long way together and are now one of the best cycling teams in the world.
Merin Zeman
Zeman will therefore end the cycling season and on December 1st will start his new professional season in Arizona. Rene Nielsen, chairman of the Arizona Supervisory Board, is satisfied. “We have never hesitated to attract people from outside football who have their own strong vision for the operation of a major sporting organisation. Mirren fits us perfectly.”
“With his innovative and modern programs that he has worked on in the world of cycling, Merijn will add specific qualities to AZ. Moreover, as a director he knows what it means to win. He is known as a director who dares to think innovatively and outside the box.” Dare to act.”
Plug: “Zeman was invaluable to this team”
Richard Plug, CEO of Visma-Lease a Bike, also responds to the departure on the team's website. “I think it's a shame that Merryn is a colleague and friend. But I understand his decision.”
“We built this team together and Merryn has been invaluable with his vision, leadership qualities, knowledge and leadership.”
He added, “This departure is painful, but we have confidence in the organization that is in place now. In the coming months, we will look at how to deal with this matter. First, we want to make 2024 an equally successful year.”
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