VAN MARWIJK NAMED AS NEW DUTCH COACH
Bert Van Marwijk has been officially named as Marco Van Basten's successor as the Dutch national team manager. Van Basten, the 1992 Fifa World Player of the Year, is due to step down as Netherlands coach after the summer's European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, when he will take over the reins at his former club Ajax Amsterdam.
Van Marwijk, currently manager of Feyenoord, has been handed a two-year contract, taking him up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The thrilled 55-year-old said: "It is an honour to represent your country, to work with the best players the Netherlands has to offer and to try to gain qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"Until July 1, I am under contract of Feyenoord, and will therefore have nothing to do with the Dutch national team. I will not stand in the way of Marco Van Basten.
"The KNVB (the Dutch football association ) will have its reasons for appointing me. It remains to be seen whether I am such a good team manager."
On his style of management, he continued: "I like to win, but do not think in terms of 'prizes'. I have my own way of working and stay calm while I am doing it. The Dutch assignment is quite a responsibility. I do not have the illusion of getting away without scares in this job."
Director of the KNVB Henk Kesler was very proud to announce Van Marwijk as the next man in charge. He said: "The KNVB are very happy with Van Marwijk. He is a Dutch trainer with broad experience, whose teams always generate a positive feeling. Bert is always very clear.
"After pursuing Guus Hiddink, who is so special we had to ask him for the job, Van Marwijk was the very first manager we asked. He was just our first choice."
Former Dutch international Frank de Boer will become Van Marwijk's main assistant coach. Van Marwijk said of the ex-Barcelona defender: "The definite sheet of responsibilities is not yet 100 per cent clear, but one thing is certain: Frank will be at my right hand."
Phillip Cocu, another former international, and Van Marwijk's life-long assistant coach Dick Voorn, along with goalkeeping trainer Ruud Hesp and physiologist Luc Van Agt will complete the national set up.
Bert Van Marwijk has been officially named as Marco Van Basten's successor as the Dutch national team manager. Van Basten, the 1992 Fifa World Player of the Year, is due to step down as Netherlands coach after the summer's European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, when he will take over the reins at his former club Ajax Amsterdam.
Van Marwijk, currently manager of Feyenoord, has been handed a two-year contract, taking him up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The thrilled 55-year-old said: "It is an honour to represent your country, to work with the best players the Netherlands has to offer and to try to gain qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"Until July 1, I am under contract of Feyenoord, and will therefore have nothing to do with the Dutch national team. I will not stand in the way of Marco Van Basten.
"The KNVB (the Dutch football association ) will have its reasons for appointing me. It remains to be seen whether I am such a good team manager."
On his style of management, he continued: "I like to win, but do not think in terms of 'prizes'. I have my own way of working and stay calm while I am doing it. The Dutch assignment is quite a responsibility. I do not have the illusion of getting away without scares in this job."
Director of the KNVB Henk Kesler was very proud to announce Van Marwijk as the next man in charge. He said: "The KNVB are very happy with Van Marwijk. He is a Dutch trainer with broad experience, whose teams always generate a positive feeling. Bert is always very clear.
"After pursuing Guus Hiddink, who is so special we had to ask him for the job, Van Marwijk was the very first manager we asked. He was just our first choice."
Former Dutch international Frank de Boer will become Van Marwijk's main assistant coach. Van Marwijk said of the ex-Barcelona defender: "The definite sheet of responsibilities is not yet 100 per cent clear, but one thing is certain: Frank will be at my right hand."
Phillip Cocu, another former international, and Van Marwijk's life-long assistant coach Dick Voorn, along with goalkeeping trainer Ruud Hesp and physiologist Luc Van Agt will complete the national set up.
Labels: Dutch football, football, Marco Van Basten
