Sneekes returns as new Royals boss

Named on Sunday night as the successor to Neil Tooth, the former Ajax, Bolton and West Bromwich Albion midfield maestro, pictured, is back in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight after stepping down at the Pics at the end of last season.

The Dutchman, a West Brom legend after seven years at the Baggies, is set to take charge of the third-from-bottom Royals for the first time on Saturday at Dales Lane, home of his old employers Rushall Olympic.

After beating more than 40 other candidates to the post, Sneekes is also expected to name his touchline team within days after Phil Male and Andy Ling left the EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division club in the wake of Tooth's departure last week after a seven game winless run. Between them, the pair amassed over 1000 games for the Royals and were thanked for their services and loyalty by the Royals before Sneekes was unveiled hours later.

Sneekes came through the famed academy at Ajax and broke into the Dutch club’s first team at the age of 16 to be managed by the legendary Johan Cruyff. A UEFA B licenced coach, he went on to play in midfield for a number of clubs in England, most notably Bolton, the Baggies, Stockport County and Hull before hanging up his boots in Non-League at Dudley after a short spell at Hinckley United.

After moving into management, Sneekes worked at Hereford and was assistant manager at Tamworth before teaming up with former Birmingham City star Dave Barnett as joint managers of Romulus in EVO-STIK NPL First Division South. He switched to Rushall nearly three years ago as the successor to Neil Kitching and departed after securing a top ten finish last term.

Image courtesy of Rushall Olympic

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