The Dutch Football Academy

Management

The technical staff of The Dutch Football Academy is managed by Joop Lensen. Lensen has rich experience in professional football. During the first 15 years of his career, Lensen worked for The Royal Netherlands Football Federation (KNVB). He was in charge of the development of the KNVB youth football training program and technical affairs. Lensen is also co-writer of KNVB books: 4 vs 4 and 7 vs 7.

From 1985 to 1988 he was the assistant trainer of the Dutch National Under-15 team, and subsequently he became head trainer at the moment the team reached the World Cup finals in France. Lensen was assistant-trainer of U16, and in 1988 was part of the support staff for the Dutch team during the victorious European Championship in Germany.

In the period 2000-2005, Lensen was appointed Head of Youth System and Education at AZ in Alkmaar. There he was responsible for setting up the so-called ‘LOOT school’ (National Consultation Board for Top-Class Sport Education), a structure in which study is adjusted to the practice of top sports. In 2005, Lensen was appointed Head of Youth System and Chief Scout at the top Turkish club Fenerbahce SK.

Besides his position as CEO of The Dutch Football Academy he remains active as a guest teacher and advisor for several football organizations, including the KNVB, Turkiye Futbol Federasyonu and S.S. Lazio.

The Dutch Football Academy has got a joint venture in South America with Ganamos Todos, the foundation of Harold Mayne Nichols, ex president of the Chilean Socces Association and head of development FIFA South America.

Sponsor

Since 2011 Nike is equipment sponsor of The Dutch Football Academy.

Logo

The logo of The Dutch Football Academy has got a royal crown (orange) and a classic image of a football player (blue).