Koeman named as Netherlands coach

Ronald Koeman has been appointed as coach of the Netherlands national team up to and including the 2022 World Cup, the Dutch football association (KNVB) announced on Tuesday. The 54-year-old former international defender is the seventh coach in eight years for the Dutch team, who were runners-up at the 2010 World Cup and finished third in Brazil four years later but failed to qualify for the 2018 finals in Russia.

BREAKING: @KNVB confirm Ronald Koeman as new head coach of Netherlands on a four-and-a-half year deal. #SSN pic.twitter.com/dDdeBgP6Ig

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 6, 2018

He will be expected to help the Dutch to qualify for the next European Championship in 2020 and World Cup two years thereafter, reviving the team's fortunes in the process. Koeman, who earned 78 caps for the Netherlands, succeeds Dick Advocaat, who had been brought in midway through last year after the sacking of Danny Blind in March. His first assignment will be a friendly against England at the Amsterdam Arena on March 23, followed by a meeting with Portugal in Geneva three days later. The Dutch are helping the two Russia-bound teams prepare for this year's World Cup.

Sacked by Everton in October, managing his country four months later!

Ronald Koeman has bounced back well.

More: https://t.co/KYZ7MVlagE pic.twitter.com/kTde1UD0Mr

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 6, 2018

Koeman has been out of work since being dismissed by Everton last October after a poor run of form in the Premier League. He did, however, enjoy significant success as a club coach in his homeland winning three Eredivisie titles - two with Ajax Amsterdam (2001-02, 2003-04) and one with PSV Eindhoven (2006-07).

Ronald Koeman named the new manager of the Netherlands.

Leaves one mess behind at Everton and walks straight into another one ? pic.twitter.com/MO8FgEGSla

— UNILAD Football (@UNILADFooty) February 6, 2018

He has also coached Vitesse Arnhem, Benfica, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord and Southampton. His coaching career began as an assistant to Guus Hiddink with the Dutch side in 1997 but he left after a year to take up a similar role under Louis van Gaal at Barcelona. Former Dutch international Kees van Wonderen will be Koeman's assistant with Patrick Lodewijks as goalkeeper coach.

Ronald Koeman's record in the Premier League:

2 clubs
123 games
55 wins
27 draws
41 losses
44.7% win rate
182 goals
136 conceded

?? https://t.co/P43nP7TQrk

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 6, 2018