Van Basten takes Ajax role

Van Basten: Ajax return

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Marco van Basten has agreed to become Ajax coach after deciding to step down from his role with the Holland national side after the European Championship.

The Dutch legend had already announced he was to quit as Holland coach and had been mooted as a possible candidate to take over at Barcelona, with current incumbent Frank Rijkaard having endured a difficult season.

However, this past week has seen Johan Cruyff agree to return to the club he served with distinction as a player, and now Van Basten has followed suit.

Van Basten will be backed by John Van't Schip and Rob Witschge, who were his Netherlands assistants.

Ambitious coup

Ajax technical director Martin van Geel told the club's official website: "We are delighted with the news.

"They (Van Basten, Van't Schip and Witschge) are three ambitious coaches with an Ajax pedigree and all three have had an international career as a player and now they also have enough experience as coaches.

"It's also very good that we have clarity about the technical staff for the coming seasons."

Van Basten's agent Perry Overeem confirmed his client was delighted to return to his former club.

"We have worked in the last few weeks with the full management of Ajax to come to a successful conclusion.

"Both parties are pleased about how things went and the outcome of it all.

"The duration of the negotiations makes clear the precision and attention to the whole process."