When people hear the name marten glotzbach, many think first of his connection to Sarina Wiegman. But reduce him to a footnote and you’ll miss the real story: a Hague-born coach and educator who has spent decades shaping Dutch football talent from the classroom to the touchline—and who, since late 2024, has been steering ADO Den Haag Vrouwen in the Eredivisie. This guest post dives deep into his background, coaching philosophy, season takeaways, and why his dual identity as teacher and trainer matters for modern player development.
Quick Profile
- Full name: Marten Glotzbach
- Nationality: Dutch
- Primary roles: Head Coach, ADO Den Haag Vrouwen; Economics teacher (Segbroek College)
- Past coaching stops: SVV Scheveningen, RKVV Westlandia, HBS (assistant), ADO youth (MO16/MO17)
- Known for: Developing youth into first-team contributors, balanced “classroom-to-pitch” coaching style, steady leadership in The Hague’s football ecosystem
From Classroom to Technical Area: Why Teaching Shaped His Coaching
Before marten glotzbach commanded a dugout in the women’s top flight, he spent years at Segbroek College teaching economics. That matters more than it seems.
- Structured thinking: Economics training encourages cause-effect analysis. On the pitch, that’s pressing triggers, risk-reward decisions, and game-state management.
- Communication craft: Great teachers translate complex ideas into plain language. Glotzbach’s training sessions reflect that clarity: limited jargon, clear constraints, specific targets.
- Long-term development mindset: Teachers plan terms and semesters; coaches plan phases and seasons. His progression plans—especially with teenage squads—mirror school curricula with modules, learning outcomes, and assessment moments.
This educator’s backbone helps explain how marten glotzbach consistently moves players from youth teams into senior football without rushing the process.
Career Timeline: The Making of a Head Coach
Early Sidelines and Local Roots
Glotzbach cut his teeth around The Hague at ambitious amateur and semi-pro outfits. Stints with SVV Scheveningen and RKVV Westlandia built his reputation for organization and player management. A later assistant role at HBS Craeyenhout kept him plugged into the city’s football lifeblood while he deepened his youth-development specialty.
The ADO Youth Years: MO16 → MO17
His “teacher-coach” identity came into full focus in ADO Den Haag’s academy for girls and young women, where he led MO16 and MO17. The priorities were technical fluency, tactical literacy, and habits (nutrition, sleep, prehab). Many of the young players he shaped would later appear in the club’s senior matchday squads, validating the pathway-first approach he championed.
Step Up: Head Coach, ADO Den Haag Vrouwen
On 17 December 2024, marten glotzbach was appointed head coach of ADO Den Haag Vrouwen on a deal through 2026. The aim: elevate a side with deep homegrown DNA, stabilize performances, and make player development a competitive edge rather than just a philosophy statement.
First Full Season Review: What Changed, What Stayed, What’s Next
The Results Snapshot
In 2024–25, ADO Den Haag Vrouwen finished 7th in the Vrouwen Eredivisie. On paper, mid-table reads modest. In context, it marked a reset season after an in-season managerial change, with emphasis on internal promotions and cohesion over quick fixes.
Style of Play: Pragmatic With Purpose
- Defensive spacing: Compact mid-block lines to deny central entry, with clear triggers for fullback pressure.
- Transition moments: Quick vertical outlets when regaining possession, prioritizing early forward passes rather than sterile recycling.
- Set-pieces: Classroom-style rehearsals (repeatable routines, role clarity) to squeeze value in tight matches.
Youth Integration: The ADO Identity
A defining choice under marten glotzbach was to trust academy graduates, several of whom had already worked with him at MO16/MO17. That continuity shortened the learning curve and strengthened squad culture. In a league where resource disparities can be stark, ADO’s homegrown core became both identity and strategy.
Game-Management: Learning in Real Time
In several high-profile fixtures, his touchline adjustments—switching the reference point in midfield, flipping the wide overload, or simplifying build-out by adding a third player to the first line—showed a coach comfortable coaching the game in front of him, not just the plan from Thursday’s session. The season also included matches where injuries and in-game setbacks forced pragmatic calls, including periods spent protecting zones rather than chasing possession for possession’s sake.
Coaching Philosophy: Five Pillars of Marten’s Method
- Concept First, Drill Second
Every exercise starts with a why—pressing cue, passing lane, or rest-defence structure—before reps begin. Players earn understanding, then automatisms follow. - Holistic Player Building
He blends technical growth (first touch in tight spaces), tactical awareness (recognizing overloads), physical programming (prehab + periodization), and psychological resilience (post-loss reflection templates). - Communication Loops
Short video clips, whiteboard “exit tickets,” and micro-goals allow two-way feedback. It’s the teacher in marten glotzbach: assessment is continuous, not episodic. - Pathway Accountability
Coaches own development plans, not just players. If a winger stagnates, the staff redesigns constraints. If a defender’s aerial timing lags, they build targeted exposures into weekly plans. - Local Club DNA
ADO is a community club. Selection and development reflect that identity—competitive, hard-working, and proud of the badge. The aim is to win with who you build.
Working With Family, Professionally
A human-interest subplot of the appointment: coaching while one of his daughters, Lauren, was in the squad. Glotzbach addressed it directly: team first, professional boundaries, merit-based selection. Insiders described a straightforward approach—transparent criteria, staff consensus on decisions, and a quiet insistence that every player’s pathway is respected.
What Sets Marten Glotzbach Apart in the Women’s Game
- Teacher’s clarity, coach’s edge: The dual lens is rare. It yields simple messages that play under pressure.
- Proven pathway builder: From MO16 to first team, he has a track record of developing players into senior roles.
- Stability as a competitive advantage: In a league where churn is common, he leverages continuity—systems, terminology, and expectations—to extract marginal gains.
Looking Ahead: The 2025–26 Season
With another pre-season under his belt and a clearer idea of his best XI, marten glotzbach will likely blend tactical consistency with selective upgrades. Expect further promotion of academy players, a sharpening of set-piece efficiency, and perhaps more aggressive pressing structures in matches against direct league rivals.
FAQs About Marten Glotzbach
1. Who is Marten Glotzbach?
He is a Dutch football coach and economics teacher, currently head coach of ADO Den Haag Vrouwen in the Eredivisie.
2. When did he become ADO Den Haag Vrouwen’s head coach?
He was appointed on 17 December 2024 on a contract through 2026.
3. What was his career before coaching the first team?
He coached at local clubs like SVV Scheveningen, RKVV Westlandia, and HBS, and led ADO’s MO16 and MO17 girls’ squads.
4. What is his coaching philosophy?
A blend of tactical clarity, technical development, and strong communication, with a heavy emphasis on youth pathways.
5. How does his teaching background influence his coaching?
It enhances his ability to explain concepts simply, structure training like a curriculum, and track player progress methodically.
6. Did he coach his own daughter?
Yes, Lauren Glotzbach was part of the squad, but selections were made on merit with professional boundaries in place.
7. What are his goals for the upcoming season?
Continue integrating youth players, improve tactical efficiency, and push ADO Den Haag Vrouwen higher up the Eredivisie table.
