Koeman emerges as front-runner for Dutch coach job

Amsterdam, February 6: Former Everton boss Ronald Koeman is set to be named as the new coach of the Netherlands, with the Dutch football association (KNVB) expected to give him a four-year contract runs till the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

According to Dutch reports, Ronald #Koeman will be appointed as Netherlands manager until the 2022 FIFA World Cup https://t.co/Cc8UiWLMw5

— FirstpostSports (@FirstpostSports) February 6, 2018

The Dutch coach's position has been vacant since Dick Advocaat stepped down in November after the team's failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

According to Dutch media reports, Koeman is the the only person linked to the top job by the Dutch media.

If appointed, the 54-year-old has a gargantuan task ahead as he will have to resurrect the sagging the fortunes of a team who less than eight years ago were World Cup runners-up in South Africa, but have not played in a major tournament since 2014 World Cup in Brazil, after missing out on the Euro Cup held in France two years ago.

Ronald Koeman is set to land another high profile managerial job.

Full story: https://t.co/4Mn1HDdYKb pic.twitter.com/OetUm1NTOy

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 5, 2018

The Dutchman has been out of work since being dismissed in October by Everton after a horrendous run of form in the Premier League.

The 54-year-old's initial assignments include high quality friendlies against England and Portugal in March, as the Netherlands help Russia-bound teams with their World Cup preparations. His ultimate goal, though, will be a place at Euro 2020 and followed by the quadrennial extravaganza in 2022.

Koeman, who won 78 caps for the Netherlands, brings a wealth of experience to the job, having coached club sides Vitesse Arnhem, Ajax Amsterdam, Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord, Southampton and Everton.

Dutch media said Everton goalkeeping coach Patrick Lodewijks and former Dutch international Kees van Wonderen would be Koeman's assistants, leaving no place for Ruud Gullit who had served as assistant to Advocaat.

The official presentation is expected to take place at KNVB headquarters in Zeist.

(With Agency inputs)