Former Portsmouth, Barnsley and Coventry defender makes managerial step-up

The Dutchman, who is currently employed as a detective in his native Holland, has been appointed the new manager of Dutch fourth-tier side Voetbal Vereniging Sint Bavo (VVSB).

The 54-year-old will take up the role next season, having combined his role in the police with coaching positions at Odin '59 and Vitesse '22.

Confirming the appointment, VVSB technical board member, Theo Nulkes, said: ‘Arjan fits in well with our policy and concretely developed profile. 

‘He has always played and worked in an environment where struggle, passion and team spirit are central. He is a modern trainer, a motivator with an enthusiastic positive approach and has empathy.

‘His vision matches our view on football, the way our players like to play and what our supporters and sponsors want to see. 

‘He demands a lot from himself and with his experience can make a practical contribution to the individual development of (young) players and the team.’

De Zeeuw featured 115 times for Pompey - 68 of which came for the Blues in the Premier League. Signed from Wigan on a free transfer, the defender was also a key member of Harry Redknapp’s 2002-03 First Division title-winning side, making 35 league starts that memorable campaign.

The former Barnsley centre-back returned to Wigan in the summer of 2005, spending a further two seasons at the DW Stadium, before spells at Coventry and ADO '20 in his homeland.

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De Zeeuw retired from playing in 2009. He joined Dutch police soon afterwards, specialising in forensics.

Speaking on The Emerson Boyce Podcast in 2020, de Zeeuw said: ‘Having a medical degree, my first idea was to become a doctor, but at the time the Dutch police were looking for people with higher education to do a fast-track course into the police force.

‘It sounded a little bit like a boys' dream - being in fast cars and having a gun and all that stuff and I realised it was still going to take me a long time to become a doctor, whereas it was a much quicker route into the police force.

‘Being a footballer, obviously you have the good lifestyle and are a bit of a figure in the community because you play for the local team and all that.

‘Being a policeman, you see the other side of society. It's interesting, I'll tell you that - and I do have a fast car and I do have a gun!’