Koeman wants Van der Vaart

New Valencia coach keen on fellow Dutchman

By Mark Buckingham   Last updated: 21st November 2007

Van der Vaart Rafael

Van der Vaart: Koeman keen

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Ronald Koeman has revealed his wish to take Hamburg playmaker Rafael van der Vaart to Valencia.

The Spanish club have appointed Koeman as the new coach and the Dutchman already has one eye on January's transfer window.

Koeman worked with Van der Vaart at Ajax and admits he would be keen to sign his compatriot in the New Year.

Fantastic

"He is a fantastic player whom I would gladly see at Valencia," Koeman told De Telegraaf.

"There are some things which occurred in the past, but we learn from everything."

During his time as Ajax coach, Koeman handed Van der Vaart the captaincy at the start of the 2004/05 season only to strip the schemer of the responsibility months later.

However, Van der Vaart has acknowledged that his previous problems with Koeman would not be a barrier to moving to the Mestalla.

In the past

He said: "What has happened in the past between me and Koeman does not stand in the way of a move to Valencia.

"We both did things that we might do differently, but that has happened."

Back in the summer, Van der Vaart was pictured wearing a Valencia shirt and has expressed his desire to secure a switch to Spanish football.