Marcel Brands has a towering reputation in Dutch football, an eye for talent and an ability to transform a club.
During five years with AZ Alkmaar, from 2005 to 2010, he helped orchestrate a spell that saw the unfashionable topple the giants of Amsterdam and Rotterdam and become champions of the Netherlands in 2009, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
From Alkmaar, he went to PSV Eindhoven in 2010 again in the role of Director of Football. There have been two Dutch titles in the time since but, most importantly, an ability to uncover exciting talent and work the transfer market.