Ronald Koeman named new Netherlands boss

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Amsterdam, February 6: Ronald Koeman has been named the new Netherlands head coach on a deal that will run until the completion of the 2022 World Cup.

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 was the the only person linked to the top job.

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.

The Dutchman was out of work after 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)