Maarten Martens named Rinus Michels Manager of the Month
AZ manager Maarten Martens has been named Rinus Michels Manager of the Month for October, recognising his team’s outstanding form in the Eredivisie.
The 41-year-old Belgian remained unbeaten across three matches, guiding AZ to victories over Telstar (2–1), Ajax (0–2) and FC Utrecht (4–1). With nine points from three games and a goal difference of +6, Martens - alongside Peter Bosz - was statistically the month’s most successful manager.
What proved decisive was AZ’s surge up the table. At the end of September, they sat fifth with 12 points from seven matches. After three wins, they climbed to third, cutting the gap to the leaders from seven to four points.
Martens is the third manager to win the award this season, following Robin van Persie (August) and Dick Lukkien (September).
About the awards
The Rinus Michels Manager of the Month award is a new initiative from Eredivisie CV, Coaches Betaald Voetbal, De Voetbaltrainer and ESPN, created to give top-flight managers a new platform for recognition.
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