AMSTERDAM, July 29: Marco van Basten has agreed to become the new Netherlands coach, the Dutch football association (KNVB) announced on Thursday. The 39-year-old former international striker will replace Dick Advocaat, who resigned days after the Netherlands lost 2-1 in the Euro 2004 semifinal to hosts Portugal.

The KNVB said on Thursday they had finalised a deal with Van Basten and his assistant John van 't Schip and the pair would be presented officially at a news conference on Monday.

The statement included no details of the contract but media reports suggest Van Basten would be given a four-year contract. After Advocaat's resignation KNVB director Henk Kesler approached Johan Cruyff for advice and the Dutch soccer great recommended he recruit Van Basten and Van 't Schip.

Cruyff has promised his support to the new coach in a backroom role. Two more former Ajax and Dutch internationals, Rob Witschge and Stanley Menzo, have been approached to complete the technical staff. -Reuters