AMSTERDAM (AP) — AZ Alkmaar says Alex Pastoor has rejected an offer to become the club's new head coach in the wake of Marco van Basten's decision to step down from the job. The Eredivisie club said Thursday it had been in talks with Pastoor to succeed Van Basten, who quit Tuesday after only five league matches in charge saying he has long struggled to cope with the pressures of coaching. In a statement, director of football and former United States midfielder Earnest Stewart said Pastoor — who was Van Basten's assistant in Alkmaar — rejected a new contract offered by AZ. The club, currently 12th in the 18-team Eredivisie, says it has now started searching for a new head coach.Read more on NewsOK.com