Rogier Meijer named Sparta Rotterdam head coach

Sparta Rotterdam appointed Rogier Meijer as their new head coach on a two-year deal. The 44-year-old succeeds Maurice Steijn at Het Kasteel.

Meijer was assistant coach at Bayer Leverkusen this season before returning to the Eredivisie. Steijn left Sparta in early March after two seasons, during which the club won only one of their last nine league matches and missed out on European play-offs.

Previously, Meijer managed NEC. He led them to Eredivisie promotion via play-offs in 2021. Under his tenure, NEC reached the 2024 Dutch Cup final and competed in European play-offs in the past two seasons. After his contract expired in Nijmegen, Meijer became assistant to Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen.

Speaking on Sparta’s website, Meijer said: "After one year as an assistant at Bayer Leverkusen, I was ready to take full charge again. When Sparta offered me this opportunity, I was immediately enthusiastic."

He described Sparta as a stable Eredivisie club in recent years and vowed: "We will do everything to put Sparta even more on the map."

Technical director Gerard Nijkamp praised Meijer’s appointment. "In five seasons at NEC, Rogier proved to be an excellent coach—not only for promotion and a cup final appearance but also for turning difficult periods around."