Ronald Koeman appointed new Netherlands head coach

The Netherlands have confirmed the appointment of former Everton and Southampton manager Ronald Koeman as their new head coach on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Koeman, 54, has been out of work since being sacked by Everton in October after a string of defeats saw the Toffees fall into the relegation zone.

A statement from the Dutch FA (the KNVB) said: “The KNVB has reached agreement with Ronald Koeman about the appointment as national coach of the Dutch national team.

“Koeman has just signed a contract that connects him to Orange with immediate effect up to and including the World Cup 2022.”

The Netherlands have been without a manager since former Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat stepped down in November following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Koeman will become the Netherlands’ fourth boss since Louis van Gaal stepped down after leading the country to a third-place finish at the 2014 World Cup.

Guus Hiddink succeeded Van Gaal but was replaced by Danny Blind who was then followed by Advocaat in what has been a frustrating period for the Netherlands, who also failed to qualify for Euro 2016.

Koeman, who won 78 caps and scored 14 goals as a player between 1982-94, has previous experience coaching the Netherlands, having served as Hiddink’s assistant with the Dutch national team at the 1998 World Cup.

The KNVB have also appointed Nico-Jan Hoogma, who was general manager at Eredivisie side Heracles Almelo, as director of football.