Stefanie van der Gragt Interview: From the Backline to the Boardroom
For years, Stefanie van der Gragt stood as a rock in the defence for the Dutch national team and clubs across Europe. Today, she finds herself in a very different role: leading from the sidelines as Technical Manager at AZ. With the same passion that once defined her playing days, she now channels her energy into building the future of women’s football. This is what Stefanie van der Gragt shared with us in the interview with Life After Football.
Shifting Perspectives
Transitioning from player to manager was no small step. “At first it was a real adjustment. As a player you come to training and then head home, but behind a team so much more is happening than I ever realised.”
Now entering her third year in the role, she feels firmly at home. “It’s hard work, but I enjoy it immensely. I’m still learning every day, and that is what makes it so exciting.” Her hands-on approach reflects a determination to shape both structure and culture at the club.
Experience is Key
One of her first moves was to bring seasoned players into the squad. “I literally called Desiree van Lunteren while driving, just after I started. That same week it was already done.” For Van der Gragt, experience was key to laying a foundation of leadership on the pitch.
Yet she stresses the importance of staying approachable. “I don’t want to be too far from the team. The threshold should always be low. I want players to feel they can come to me with anything, whether it’s football-related or personal.”
Leadership Redefined
Her years as a defender gave her a sense of discipline that now translates into leadership. “Some decisions aren’t fun, but you make them in the interest of the club and the players.”
She sees her role less in tactics and more in creating balance. “I want everything around the team to be organised so the players can fully focus on football.”
The goal is clear: step by step, push AZ back towards the top. Along the way she leans on what she values most; honesty, openness, and keeping the players’ development at the centre.
Looking Forward
Van der Gragt doesn’t dwell too much on what comes next, though she admits the future could hold anything from new challenges to perhaps one day coaching Oranje. For now her focus is sharp. “This project has to succeed, and I’ll give everything to make that happen.”
If there is one lesson she wants to pass on, it is simple: “Enjoy the game. When you have fun, you develop the most.” Spoken like someone who has lived football from every angle and is still shaping its future.
To read the whole interview with Stefanie van der Gragt, check out our latest magazine! Issue 86: Legacy & Leadership.
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