Louis van Gaal has been appointed as coach of the Netherlands for the second time on a two-year contract to replace Bert van Marwijk.
Experienced coach replaces Van Marwijk after Euro 2012 flop
Louis van Gaal has been appointed as coach of the Netherlands for the second time on a two-year contract to replace Bert van Marwijk.
Following the dismal performance at Euro 2012, where the Dutch lost all three group games, Van Marwijk left his position just two years after leading the Oranje to the World Cup final.
The Dutch football federation (KNVB) has now turned to Van Gaal to preside over Holland's bid to qualify for the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
The 60-year-old's previous stint as national team coach ended a decade ago when Van Gaal failed to take Holland to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
He has been out of coaching since leaving Bayern Munich in 2011 and he was mooted as a contender for the Liverpool managerial position before Brendan Rodgers' appointment.
Van Gaal has also coached Ajax, Barcelona and AZ Alkmaar, and he is looking forward to a second stab at the Dutch helm.
"I am pleased that the KNVB has approached me," Van Gaal told the federation's
official website. "This is the challenge that I was waiting for."
KNVB director Bert van Oostveen said: "We were looking for a coach with a wealth of experience, with personal and technical expertise.
"Van Gaal has a proven track record both nationally and internationally, and we know he is a dedicated and very passionate coach."
