Dayton Dutch Lions News Release -- www.dutchlionsfc.com
Monday, February 7, 2011
DAYTON, Ohio -- In their search of a new Head Coach the Dayton Dutch Lions FC have signed Ivar van Dinteren as their new coach for the Men’s professional team. The team will play in the prestigious USL PRO Division, one level under the Major League Soccer. Van Dinteren will be assisted by Jack Hermans and Cor van Hoeven.
Van Dinteren was a player for the team that finished third in the 2010 season in the Premier Development League of the United Soccer Leagues. After the season he turned to coaching for the new Dutch Lions FC Youth Academy. Ivar coached both of his two teams (U12 Boys and U14 Boys) to their Division Championship for the Fall season.
Van Dinteren played over 300 games in the Premier League and First Division in the Netherlands. He also played for the Dutch National Youth teams up to U23. In 2009/2010 he went through the coaching courses UEFA C and B at the well recognized Royal Dutch National Soccer Association (KNVB) in the Netherlands.
"In our search we had three key aspects we were looking for in our new Head Coach," Dutch Lions President Mike Mossel said. "A Dutch coach that played at the highest level himself (and preferably with coaching experience), someone that understands our mission as a club here in the USA as well as American soccer and someone that is on the same page as how we want to play as a club and Academy.
"After talking to several experienced coaches from the Netherlands the last month we more and more came to the conclusion that we already had the person we were looking for in our organization. Ivar did a great job coaching his two teams and fully understands what we are trying to build as an organization. He has been a valuable asset for us in the transition from the first team to the youth academy. He is still young but very hungry and ambitious, same as our club. And very important, we are exactly on the same page as far as our desired style of play. We noticed this already during the UEFA C and B courses co owner Erik Tammer, myself and Ivar went through in 2009 and 2010, as well as last season and while setting up the Youth Academy.
"He also combines well with Jack Hermans, who is very experienced in the local soccer scene and will get a bigger role than last year, and new Technical Director Cor van Hoeven. I am convinced Ivar will do very well for the club in his new position and I am pleased we can give him the opportunity to make a big step in his coaching career."
"Setting up the Dutch Lions FC Youth Academy as Director of coaching was a huge experience," van Dinteren said. "My teams and I ended up being Fall 2010 Champions, which had a very positive impact on our Academy children, parents and the Dayton Area. Becoming Head Coach of the Men’s USL Pro Team is another challenge that I want to take up full of energy and great passion. Having Jack Hermans beside me is an honor. I am very happy to work with somebody with that kind of experience in
American soccer, and we have had a great working relationship so far.
"I have always pushed myself to achieve new goals, and this is a tremendous opportunity to develop myself as a coach, and to apply my US player’s experience, my coaching experience and my Dutch national professional soccer experience. I will prepare myself the best I can for the coming season. I know the objectives and goals of the organization, as well as the American culture and the people in the Dayton Area. This will be an advantage, together with my soccer comprehension and dedicated effort."