Darije Kalezić Tactics At ADO Den Haag – Tactical Analysis

ADO Den Haag has been synonymous with the Eredivisie for much of the 21st century.

Their promotion from the second tier in 2003 was followed by a four-year stay in the top flight before their relegation in 2007, but they returned the very next year.

After a period of consolidation, they became mainstays in the Eredivisie, finishing as high as seventh in the 2017/18 season.

However, their 13-year stint at the top came to an end in 2021 as they dropped back to the Eerste Divisie.

ADO undertook an instant bid for promotion, finishing fourth in the standings to make the playoffs as they topped the league table in the first eight rounds.

They made it to the playoff finals, where an exciting tie with Excelsior ended 5-5 after two legs, with the latter then winning 8-7 on penalties to move to the top flight.

The defeat seemingly lingered on in Hague as the club endured a dismal 2022/23 campaign, finishing 12th in the Eerste Divisie after winning just 13 of their 38 matches and scoring only 51 goals while letting in 57.

Veteran manager Dick Advocaat, who took over the reins in November 2022, departed at the end of the season.

In came Darije Kalezić, who has since transformed ADO Den Haags fortunes. De Ooievaars currently sit third in the Dutch second division with 53 points from 28 matches, just four behind leaders Willem II and one behind second-placed Roda JC.

They have the second-best attack in the league with 58 goals (only behind 10th-placed Hamburg, who have 61), and their defence has also improved.

With 10 matches to go, including a massive fixture against Roda this weekend, ADO are in pole position to win promotion.

But how have they gotten here following the disappointments of last season? This tactical analysis report will dive into the changes Kalezić has brought about, along with some analysis of ADO’s tactics, performances and most-improved players.

Who Is Darije Kalezić?

Kalezić, whose playing career lasted 15 years, boasts plenty of managerial experience, particularly in the Netherlands, but his resume makes for curious reading.

The 51-year-olds stint on the sidelines began with De Graafschap, the last club he played for before retiring in 2006.

He was named their U21 teams assistant manager almost immediately after his retirement and took over the same role under Henk van Stee in the first team a year later.

When Van Stee was fired in early 2009, Kalezić took over the reins and secured promotion to the Eredivisie that season.

He held the position until the end of the 2010/11 season, guiding De Graafschap to a 14th-place finish in the top flight before they parted ways.

The Dutchman then had short-lived stints at Zulte Waregem and Stockport County before stepping back to become the U21 manager at PSV Eindhoven, a role he held from June 2013 to June 2015.

ADO Den Haags current competitor for promotion, Roda, then came calling, and Kalezić managed them for one season, guiding them to a 14th-place finish in the Eredivisie.

He then moved to Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2016 but left the club after just seven matches.

A move to A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix followed in June 2017, but this was short-lived as well as he departed the team in March 2018 after winning just four of his 21 matches in charge.

Kalezić joined Indonesian outfit PSM Makassar in February 2019, leading them to Indonesian Cup success that season.

However, Makassars form fell the following season as they won only 24 of their 53 matches, leading to Kalezićs departure.

A one-year stint with MVV Maastricht followed before the former De Graafschap centre-back joined Utrechts U21 team in May 2021.

His two seasons with the team didnt yield great results, as they finished 18th in the 2021/22 and 20th in the 2022/23 Eerste Divisie seasons.

However, ADO chose to trust Kalezić regardless.

So far, it has been the right move.

ADO Den Haag: Key Statistical Changes under Darije Kalezić

A quick overview of ADO Den Haags statistical profile under Advocaat last season and Kalezić indicates that the latter hasnt changed too much and has merely fine-tuned his teams approach across the field.

Starting from the backline, De Ooievaars have improved their defensive organisation, conceding fewer shots (but a higher percentage of shots on target) and, consequently, fewer goals.

They have also worked harder to recover the ball when they lose it.

However, the most significant change is arguably in their pressing patterns, as their passes per defensive action (PPDA) have experienced a major jump from last season.

In midfield, Kalezićs side is enjoying more possession, which has, in turn, led to increased passing volume and marginally improved passes per possession.

They have maintained a similar accuracy rate across the board, including in long passes, which is impressive given the increase in volume.

With respect to creativity, the teams accuracy from crosses has dipped,