Pardon us, Netherlands readers, but how do you say Moneyball in Dutch? Besides ‘Moneyball’, of course.
AZ Alkmaar has hired Oakland Athletics executive Billy Beane, one of the most celebrated advanced statistics gurus in the world and the subject of the film “Moneyball”, in an advisory capacity.
[ MORE: Tuesday’s UCL roundup ]
The AZ site says he’ll be helping the club in the areas of “high performance and innovation”.
The club’s general director, Robert Eenhoorn, played four years in Major League Baseball, and its director of soccer is USMNT legend Earnie Stewart.
From AZ’s English language site:“We’ve had a lot of contact with Billy In the last few months”, says AZ’s Director of Soccer Earnest Stewart. “His knowledge and ideas are impressive. Also Billy’s soccer network is excellent. We have already noticed that Billy thinks two steps ahead in the area of innovation. That’s what really connects with the ambitions of AZ.”
Beane: “I am truly excited for the opportunity to be part of AZ Alkmaar in an advisory role. Despite being a great football club with a storied history, they face many of the challenges we have with the Oakland A’s. My love for football and AZ’s vision of the future of the club made this an attractive pursuit.”
AZ is also the former club of Jozy Altidore and the current club of Aron Johannsson, so the U.S. connections abound in the Alkmaar and the Zaanstreek.