Koeman answers Ajax call

AFC Ajax have appointed SBV Vitesse coach Ronald Koeman to replace Co Adriaanse, who was sacked on Thursday.

Krol enlisted
Ajax have also enlisted former Ajax defender Ruud Krol as Koeman's assistant. Koeman has signed a contract until July 2004 while Krol's deal lasts until 2005. "I have the same feeling as when I went to Ajax as a 20-year-old," Koeman told a news conference at which he signed his contract.

Tuesday bow
Krol was assistant to Dutch national team coach Louis van Gaal, who stepped down on Friday. Koeman and Krol will be on the Ajax bench for the first time on Tuesday when the Amsterdam club take on SC Fortuna Sittard at home. Ajax are currently second in the Dutch Eredivisie and could take over from Feyenoord at the top with a victory over Sittard.

Illustrious career
Koeman played for Ajax between 1983 and 1986 before leaving for PSV Eindhoven and then FC Barcelona. He eventually finished his playing career with Feyenoord in 1997. A crucial component in defence when the Netherlands won the 1988 UEFA European Championships, Koeman enjoyed his finest hour when he scored the winning goal for Barcelona in the European Champion Clubs' Cup final against Sampdoria UC in 1992.

International record
Koeman played for the Dutch national side 78 times and scored 14 goals and was part of the team that played in the FIFA World Cups in Italy in 1990 and the USA in 1994 as well as the European Championships in Germany in 1988 and Sweden in 1992.

Coaching credentials
He began his coaching career as assistant coach under Guus Hiddink for the Dutch national team. He was then appointed coach of the Barcelona reserves before taking over at SBV Vitesse on 1 January 2000.

Mido missing
As Koeman begins his reign this week, he will be without the services of Egyptian international Mido after the forward was banned for three games following his sending-off in last week's win over FC Twente. The club are not to appeal against the suspension.