Dutch World Cup finalist manager takes over in Saudi Arabia

By Janene Pieters on August 26, 2015 - 10:43
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Bert van Marwijk (Picture: Wikimedia Commons/ING Nederland). (Bert van Marwijk (Picture: Wikimedia Commons/ING Nederland))

Former Oranje coach Bert van Marwijk has been appointed to coach the Saudi Arabia team. He signed a one year contract and is starting in September, NRC reports.

The coach will be taking Mark van Bommel, Adrie Koster and Roel Coumans along as assistant coaches.

Van Marwijk's first goal with his new team will be qualification for the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Saudi Arabia lost the first game against Palestine 3-2. They will be playing against East-Timor on September 3rd, their first game under the guidance of the Dutch coach. The next qualifying rounds will start after the conclusion of the group phase in March next year.

Van Marwijk was national coach for the Netherlands between 2008 and 2012. In 2010 he lead Oranje to second place at the World Cup in South Africa. He was also coach for Feyenoord between 2000 and 2004 and between 2007 and 2008, Borussia Dortmund from 2004 to 2006 and for Hamburger SV, where he coached for six months before being fired last year after poor results.

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