Bert van Marwijk extend Netherlands' contract until 2016

Bert van Marwijk

The Hague, Dec 9 (IANS) Bert van Marwijk has extended his contract as head coach of the Netherlands football team for four years until 2016.

The 59-year-old former coach of Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund will lead the ‘Oranje’ until the 2016 European Championships. Van Marwijk succeeded Marco van Basten in 2008 and led the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 2010.

Under his guidance the Dutch team played 45 international matches, in which they scored 97 times and conceded 33 goals. The Netherlands won 31 of these encounters, drew ten times and lost four matches.

“I am very pleased,” said Van Marwijk on the website of the Dutch football association (KNVB). “I have often said I’m very happy with the KNVB.”

Van Marwijk agreed to extend for four years instead of two years. “The association wants continuity,” he said. “If I am having a good feeling, it makes sense to stay longer. That was the case.”

Van Marwijk’s stay until 2016 also depends on the interest of European top clubs. He might decide to leave if a dream offer would occur.

“I have the space, if there is a ‘chance of my lifetime’, to decide. We have made good arrangements on that,” he concluded.