Gertjan Verbeek, current trainer of Almelo football club Heracles, has signed a three-year contract with AZ of Alkmaar, the Telegraaf reports on Thursday.

Verbeek had a contract with Heracles until 2012 but the deal includes a clause allowing him to get out of it for a top club.
Dick Advocaat is acting as temporary coach at AZ, which sacked Ronald Koeman in November following the club’s exit from European competition and poor showing in the premier league.
Heracles is currently lying in sixth place in the league. AZ is eight points ahead in fourth place.
Verbeek, FC Twente’s Steve McClaren, Martin Jol (Ajax) and Mario Been (Feyenoord) have all been nominated for the title of best coach of the 2009/2010 season, the paper says.