Ronald Koeman is set to replace Louis van Gaal as head coach of the Netherlands national football team after the conclusion of the 2022 .
70-year-old Van Gaal revealed on Sunday that he was receiving treatment for prostate cancer.
Koeman previously managed Holland from 2018 to 2020, leading them to the inaugural final of the Nations League and to Euro 2020 after the Dutch had failed to qualify for the previous two major international tournaments.
However, he left the role before the delayed Euros could take place to manage , but he was sacked in October last year after a tumultuous 14 months with the Spanish side.
Speaking about his appointment, the 59-year-old said: ‘I am very much looking forward, let’s reach new successes together!
‘I am looking forward to the new collaboration. About a year and a half ago I certainly did not leave the Dutch national team out of dissatisfaction. My stay felt good, the results were good and the click with the internationals was good. We will continue on that path in the future.’
One of the best defenders of his generation, Koeman’s accolades include two European Cups and Euro 1988 with his country, although he is best known in England for his time in charge of Southampton and Everton from 2014 to 2017.
Former Manchester United manager Van Gaal, who is currently in his third spell as Netherlands boss, led his country to third place at the 2014 World Cup and will be aiming to go all the way in Qatar later this year and deliver the trophy that has so often alluded Oranje.
Liverpool defender and Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk has echoed this sentiment, saying: ‘I told him [Van Gaal] that we are definitely going to be there for him as a group whenever he needs it – and hopefully we can also make it, for him, a World Cup to never forget.’
The Netherlands have been drawn in Group A for the tournament alongside hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal and, if results go a certain way, they could face one of , Wales or Scotland in the Round of 16.
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