Advocaat goes Dutch

Dick Advocaat (right) managed Holland at USA 94

Rangers' Dick Advocaat is the new national coach of Holland but will balance his new post with his current role as director of football at Ibrox.

Holland's football association (KNVB) announced Advocaat's appointment on Friday.

Advocaat's contract with the KNVB will take effect from 1 July, but he will continue at his post with the Glasgow club for another year on a part-time basis.

The man who was in charge of Holland at the 1994 World Cup was hired this time on a three-year contract and will lead the Dutch squad until after the Euro 2004 tournament.

Holland have been drawn alongside the Czech Republic, Austria, Belraus and Moldova in the qualifying section.

Advocaat, 54, will be assisted by former Feyenoord coach Willem van Hanegem and the Rangers' deputy manager, Bert van Lingen.

The appointment ends a two-month search for a national coach, which began when Louis van Gaal stepped down on 30 November after the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Advocaat said: "I think there are still a lot of qualities present in the Dutch team. That was, for us, reason to accept this job."

He is expected to spend 10 days every month in his homeland attending to his duties for the Dutch team.

It will also enhance both his and the club's global reputation

Rangers' David Murray

Rangers chairman David Murray insists that Advocaat's role as director of football will not be compromised by his second term in charge of the Dutch national squad.

"I believe that this extended role will allow Dick even greater scope than already envisaged to see players from across the world at close quarters," Murray told the club's official website.

"It will also enhance both his and the club's global reputation."

KNVB director Henk Kesler said that Advocaat had always been top of their list.

This opportunity presented to us by David, while a novel concept, satisfies our immediate needs

Henk Kesler, Dutch FA

"Dick has long been our first choice to lead the national team into the next European Championships," he said.

"He has a good reputation with the players."

It had been suggested that Advocaat had been blocked from accepting the job on a full-time basis because of his contract with Rangers.

Kesler claimed that Murray had proposed the compromise, dual-role alternative.

"This opportunity presented to us by David, while a novel concept, satisfies our immediate needs," said Kesler.

Wim van Hanegem will be assistant boss

"We believe Dick's experience, reputation and commitment to the task, together with his position with a major club like Rangers, will make it a welcome proposition."

Advocaat's first test will come in the shape of England, when the sides meet in a friendly on 13 February.

He was appointed director of football in December after three years as manager during which Rangers won two Premier League titles and two Scottish Cups.

The arrival of Martin O'Neill at Celtic spelled the end of their domination, as their Glasgow rivals won the Scottish treble last season.

Alex McLeish took over as Rangers coach as Advocaat moved upstairs.