Heerenveen had been without a head coach since Robin van Persie's departure to Feyenoord on February 23rd. The former Premier League icon left after nine months to replace the fired Brian Priske in Rotterdam.
Veldman started his coaching career in Heerenveen with an internship in 2006 and left after eleven years to work at Ajax. The 39-year-old later worked at Anderlecht in Belgium as U21 manager, caretaker manager, and assistant manager, Scottish side Queen's Park as head coach, and Club NXT, Club Brugge's U23 side which plays in the second Belgian division.
"I am immensely proud to return here as head coach," said Veldman on the club's website. "My years here in the youth academy and my experiences abroad were a valuable learning experience. So it feels really special to take this step now.
"The club has a clear vision and ambition. This appeals to me enormously. Together with the staff and players, I want to build a team that plays attractive, recognisable and combative football."
Heerenveen are currently in 10th in the Dutch Eredivisie with 31 points from 26 games. The Frisian outfit are in the battle for a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs with eighth-placed Fortuna Sittard at just one point more than Heerenveen.
Veldman will officially start as head coach next Monday, March 24th. His first match in charge will be away at third-placed FC Utrecht on Sunday, March 30th.
