Dutchman Advoocaat takes over as Belgium coach
Well-traveled Dutch coach Dick Advocaat stopped only just short of guaranteeing success as the new coach of Belgiums flagging national team.
Im not saying that (success is guaranteed), but I have been able to achieve it often, he said.
Rarely though, has the coach who took the Netherlands to the 1994 World Cup quarterfinals and the Euro 2004 semis faced a tougher challenger. Simply getting the Red Devils to the 2012 European Championships would probably ensure him savior status.
All of Belgium craves qualification for a tournament. It is the hope of the whole population, said Belgian federation president Francois De Keersmaeker during the presentation of Belgiums first foreign coach.
No one is expecting the Belgium team to reach the World Cup semifinals, as they did in 1986 or the final of the European Championships as they did in 1980. Advocaat, however, said missing out on the 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine would mean I have failed.
Belgium currently is at an all-time low of 68th in the FIFA world rankings. Just six years ago it was ranked 16th.
With decades of football rivalry dividing the two neighbors, it was a bold decision to consider a Dutchman for the job. Then again, the Red Devils have never fallen this low.
After a disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign in which two coaches and the whole medical staff resigned, they have no hope of advancing to next years finals in South Africa.
Advocaat, who has signed a two year contract, promised his style of man management will be in-your-face from day one.
Dutchmen can be very direct. If I dont like something I can be very direct, Advocaat told reporters.
Belgium has traditionally stuck to a very conservative style of play, achieving its biggest successes by packing its defense and playing a lone forward to strike on the counter.
But Advocaat said he is committed to playing 4-3-3 and the open attacking style of play that has brought the Netherlands so many admirers.
He said he has assessed the core of young players at hand and believes they are talented enough to play in many of Europes top leagues - but that they are not as good as they think they are.
It seemed everybody was already ready for Real Madrid or Barcelona but that just is not so, Advocaat said. The players have the wrong image of themselves.
Standouts in the team are defenders Daniel Van Buyten of Bayern Munich, Vincent Kompany of Manchester City and Thomas Vermaelen of Arsenal. In midfield Evertons Marouane Fellaini is the key.
Advocaats first match in charge will be the Oct. 10 World Cup qualifier against Turkey.
