Haan spells out plans for China

DUTCHMAN Arie Haan, China’s newly appointed national football coach, spelled out his ambition last night to take the world’s most populous nation to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The 54-year-old, signed up with the Chinese FA, also said he wanted the team to do well at the 2004 Asian Cup in China.

“I believe we can get a good result at the Asian Cup and qualify for Germany in 2006,” said the former midfield star.

Former China coach Bora Milutinovic quit after China’s first ever appearance at the World Cup this year. China slumped to three successive first-round defeats without scoring a goal.

“We can make a lot of progress,” Haan said. “But what I saw (at this year’s World Cup) gives me a lot of hope to do what I’d like to do.”

Haan arrived in the Chinese capital last Friday for what turned out to be the final round of contract negotiations to become national coach.

The former Ajax great, who played for the renowned Dutch national side in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup Finals, had reportedly demanded $750,000 a year.

Chinese state media have said that while football officials had qualms over Haan’s lack of international coaching experience, they were impressed by his ideas on cultivating young talent.

“I’m the head coach, and the head coach always looks at what happens in the whole of football in China, and this also means the youth players, the coming players,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent and you can prepare them already.”

Haan quit as honorary director of sport with Stuttgart Kickers last month. He has previously coached Anderlecht of Belgium and Dutch team Feyenoord.

“Like the China FA was looking for the right man, I was looking for the right job,” Haan said.

“When I heard about China with its possibilities, it was clear for me it would be a big challenge to go there,” he added.

The Netherlands have gained a reputation in Asia as a producer of great coaches after Guus Hiddink became a national hero in South Korea this year for guiding its national team to the World Cup semi-finals.

“I only can hope I’ll do the same,” Haan said. “I surely have confidence to do it.”

“Otherwise I wouldn't come to such a big country,” he said. “I think there’s a very big future, and maybe I’d like to be part of it.”