ALKMAAR, Netherlands – Marco van Basten has stepped down as AZ Alkmaar coach and will continue at the Eredivisie club as assistant to a new coach.
Van Basten says on Tuesday that being a head coach "is more and more often causing me physical and mental problems," and that he wants to work out of the limelight.
Club director Earnest Stewart says 49-year-old Van Basten will concentrate on developing young talent at the club, which is 12th in the 18-team Dutch top flight.
Stewart says the club is talking to Van Basten's former assistant, Alex Pastoor, about becoming head coach.
Van Basten joined Alkmaar this season. He went on leave this month with undisclosed health problems. Dutch media reported he was suffering stress-related heart palpitations.