New Dutch coach Advocaat to stay at Rangers

Dick Advocaat is to become Dutch coach on a part-time basis while remaining director of football at Rangers.

Dick Advocaat is to become Dutch coach on a part-time basis while remaining director of football at Rangers.

In a statement released today, the Scottish club said Advocaat would spend four days on each of The Netherlands's four friendly matches between now and the end of the season.

"Dick will be employed by Rangers and seconded to KNVB (the Dutch FA) on a consultancy basis for the period to June 2003," the statement said.

From July 1st he will spend an average of 10 working days per month for the Dutch team. Wim van Hanegem, a former manager of Feyenoord, will be Advocaat's assistant as the Dutch prepare for their 2004 European championship qualifying campaign in a group including the Czech Republic.

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Advocaat will be embarking on his second spell as Dutch coach having led them to the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup.

The Netherlands have been looking for a national coach since Louis van Gaal quit last November after his team failed to qualify for this year's World Cup finals.

"Dick has long been our first choice to lead the national team into the next European championship," KNVB director Henk Kesler was quoted as saying in the Rangers statement.

"He has a good reputation with the players. This opportunity presented to us by David [Rangers chairman David Murray], while a novel concept, satisfies our immediate needs.

Chairman Murray said today: "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. It will also enhance both his and the club's global reputation".