Van Gaal named new Dutch coach

Louis van Gaal has been appointed Netherlands coach until the 2014 World Cup, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) have announced.

It marks the 60-year-old’s second spell in charge of the national time, having also led them between 2000 and 2002.

Van Gaal takes the reins from Bert van Marwijk, who stepped down last week following Oranje’s disappointing Euro 2012 campaign.

“I am pleased the KNVB have approached me,” Van Gaal said last night. “This is the challenge I have waited for.”

The 60-year-old will be assisted by former Netherlands defender Danny Blind, and hoping for a more successful time than his first spell in charge of Oranje, when they failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals, after Jason McAteer’s goal against the Dutch at Lansdowne Road effectively ended their chances.

KNVB director Bert van Oostveen is in no doubt Van Gaal is the right man for the job, having beaten off competition from Guus Hiddink, Ruud Gullit and Co Adriaanse.

“Van Gaal has a proven track record nationally and internationally.”

Van Gaal’s first match will be the friendly against Belgium on August 15, before their World Cup qualifying campaign gets under way the following month at home to Turkey.