Dick Advocaat named Holland coach with Ruud Gullit as assistant

By Nadeem Badshah

Image: Dick Advocaat will manage the Netherlands for a third time

Dick Advocaat has been named as Holland coach for the third time with Ruud Gullit becoming his assistant.

The former Rangers and Sunderland boss, who turns 70 in September, become his country's oldest national coach, surpassing Guus Hiddink who was 68 when he left the job in June 2015.

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Advocaat is set to start the role in June after leaving Turkish club Fenerbahce and replaces Danny Blind, who was sacked in March with Netherlands fourth in their World Cup qualifying group.

He previously managed his country from 1992-94, with the Dutch reaching the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup, and again from 2002-04 where Holland reached the last four of Euro 2004 where they lost to hosts Portugal.

Gullit and Advocaat clashed during his first spell in charge of the Netherlands. The former Chelsea player retired from international duty after being substituted against England before reversing his decision.

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In their first game since the sacking of Danny Blind, the Netherlands slipped to 2-1 defeat against Italy

He retired again following arguments with Advocaat over tactics before the 1994 World Cup in the US.

Advocaat's 37-year management career also includes spells in charge of the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Belgium, Russia and Serbia.

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