The Dutchman joined Maccabi in the summer of 2016, arriving from Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan.

After retiring in 1996 from a playing a career at Sparta Rotterdam and Helmond, Van Leeuwen began working at Feyenoord’s Youth Department as a coach of the Academy teams for 10 years during which he was also the Head Coach of the Feyenoord China projects as well as Head of Youth Scouting for the Feyenoord Academy.

Van Leeuwen spent seven years as Shaktar Donetsk Head of Youth Department before being appointed in March 2013 as Sports Director at Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan

Under Van Leeuwen’s guidance, Almaty finished in 3rd place twice, qualified to the Europa League once, finished in the runners-up spot last season and won the Kazakhstan Cup in the last two years.

In June 2021 Van Leeuwen was appointed as Maccabi's Head Coach and at the end of the season led the team to a State Cup final victory. The following season van Leeuwen guided the team to the Conference League Group Stage in its' innagural season. Van Leeuwen ended his role as the team's Head Coach in October 2021