Western Sydney Wanderers FC is pleased to announce that Patrick Zwaanswijk will join the club as an assistant coach from next season.
The former AJAX youth product played over 400 matches in the Eredivisie, J-League and A-League before retiring in 2013.
Since then Zwaanswijk has been busy earning his coaching badges (UEFA and Australian) and is midway through his Pro-Licence while coaching at Hills United.
Zwaanswijk joins the coaching group under head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny and assistant Labinot Haliti and will be tasked with creating a stronger pathway between the Wanderers Academy and first-team structure.
Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said this appointment will be instrumental in improving our player pathway transition from Academy to first team.
“We have built the best training facility in the country in the heartland of football in this country,” said Tsatsimas.
“Our priority is creating an environment for our players to develop, progress and ultimately have great success.
“Patrick has fantastic pedigree and knowledge of youth programs and the process to progress from youth to professional football with success.
“As a link between our Academy Technical Director Ian Crook and head coach JP de Marigny, Patrick will be a great addition to our club.”
Zwaanswijk said he was excited to join the club.
“The Wanderers set-up is fantastic, it is the best set-up in Australia by far,” said Zwaanswijk.
“The focus I will have is helping bring through the next generation of Wanderers players to the first team, creating a very strong relationship between the coaches from top-to-bottom to ensure we have that opportunity to develop and successfully transition players.
“You have to be realistic with players, they have to be good enough for what the first grade are doing, this means challenging them every day in training and identifying them not just on technical ability but on their mentality.
“To have the opportunity to support Ian Crook and get the best young players to work hard and understand the level they need to put in to make it as professionals is critical, players have to be physically and mentally ready to be pros.
“I am excited to work with JP, Labi and the rest of the coaching group, I have no doubt we will bring more success to this club and I can’t wait to get started.”
Zwaanswijk will join the club from September at the commencement of the 2020/21 pre-season.
