Several key players moved elsewhere including captain Nemanja Gudelj and fan favourite Simon Poulsen.

A training camp was also arranged the week before competitive football in the Europa League by 30 July.

Top goalscorers Goals conceded AZ qualified for the 3rd qualification round of the Europa League after finishing the league in 3rd position in the previous season.

The Netherlands team failed to progress from the group stages after two wins and two draws; France and The United States of America progressed from group A. Aron Jóhannsson is the only internationalist from the CONCACAF association eligible to play in this tournament.

After the 2014-15 season where AZ did not compete in European competitions the club fell 8 places to 44th.