Saturday, 7 July 2012:

Veteran former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal was appointed on Friday as the Dutch national squad's new coach following Bert van Marwijk's resignation last week after a woeful Euro 2012 campaign.

"The Dutch Royal Football Federation (KNVB) this evening reached an agreement with Louis van Gaal over his appointment as the coach of the Dutch national eleven," the KNVB said in a statement.

"Van Gaal has signed a contract that will link him from August 1 this year until the end of the World Cup in 2014," the statement added.

His appointment marks an end to speculation following van Marwijk's resignation on June 27 after the Dutch bowed out at the first round of Euro 2012 in Poland and the Ukraine - one of their worst results in decades.

Van Gaal, 60, brings with him a wealth of experience as a former player as well as a coach with Ajax, winning the national championships three times in 1994, 1995 and 1996, the KNVB said.

He took over as national coach from Dutch football legend Frank Rijkaard in 2000, taking the Oranje to 12 wins in 14 games.

He resigned in 2001 when the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Van Gaal's coaching experience also include leading German football giants Bayern Munich, taking them to the Champions League in 2009. He left the club last year.

"We were looking for a trainer with a wealth of experience, with personal and technical expertise," said KNVB director Bert van Oostveen.

"Van Gaal earned his spurs not only nationally, but internationally as well and we know him as a dedicated and highly driven coach," Oostveen said.

AAP