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Serbia look to experienced Advocaat

Serbia have hired Dick Advocaat as coach for their UEFA EURO 2016 campaign, appointing the Dutchman as Siniša Mihajlović's replacement on a two-year deal.

Dick Advocaat's last international role was with Russia
Dick Advocaat's last international role was with Russia ©AFP/Getty Images

Dick Advocaat will lead Serbia in UEFA EURO 2016 qualification after the experienced Dutch coach was appointed on a two-year contract as Siniša Mihajlović's replacement.

The role is the 66-year-old's seventh in international football and he is appointed after Mihajlović departed for UC Sampdoria following the failure to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

"I chose Serbia because I believe that we can achieve something big, something important in the future, starting with UEFA EURO 2016," said Advocaat who has twice coached the Netherlands as well as spells leading Belgium, Russia, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. "On the way we must work hard and build up our qualities and eliminate our weaknesses," he added. "I've seen that Serbian players play with a lot of emotion for the national team, which is good. Our qualifying group is tough but I am optimistic."

Advocaat is the country's second foreign coach, following Javier Clemente who was in charge from 2006 to 2007. As a club coach he has worked in four different countries and managed some big clubs including PSV Eindhoven, Rangers FC, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Zenit and AZ Alkmaar.

"We spent time finding the best solution and in Advocaat we have got everything," said Football Association of Serbia (FSS) president Tomislav Karadzić. "We expect that he will organise and prepare a strong team with lots of young and high-quality players, which we have. The first target is qualification for France, but we also look ahead and expect that he will use this time to build a strong base for the future."

The first match under the new coach will be a friendly against France on 7 September before a first Group I game on 11 October in Armenia and a home fixture against Albania three days later.

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