Ex-Sunderland boss Advocaat appointed Dutch manager for 3rd time

Dick Advocaat will take charge of the Dutch national team for the third time after being appointed manager on Tuesday.

The Dutch Football Association confirmed the former Sunderland manager, who becomes the country's oldest coach, will be joined by former Netherlands international Ruud Gullit, who will serve as assistant.

Advocaat, 69, will attempt to revive the country's hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup following Holland's dismal performances under former manager Danny Blind, who was relieved of his duties in March after a loss to Bulgaria.

Instead of building for the long term, the Dutch FA's technical directors Hans van Breukelen admitted Advocaat's hiring was made to ensure the country is headed by an experienced coach capable of overturning Holland's poor qualifying campaign as soon as possible.

“There were two scenarios," Van Breukelen said, as translated by the Guardian. "We opt for the longer term or we do everything that is possible to get to the 2018 World Cup. We chose the second scenario. It had to be a very experienced professional, preferably an authority.”

Advocaat's appointment means he will leave his post as Fenerbahce manager at the conclusion of the Super Lig season after just one season in charge of the Turkish side.

The former Rangers and PSV manager previously served as Holland's coach from 1992-94 and from 2002-04.

Holland will take on Luxembourg on June 9 and attempt to improve on their poor start after accumulating just seven points after five matches.