Koeman returns to PSV as coach
Monday, May 8, 2006
Article summary
Ronald Koeman has completed a busy day of negotiations by resigning as coach of SL Benfica to take charge of his former club PSV Eindhoven.
Article body
Old boy returns
The 43-year-old Dutchman has announced that he has signed a two-year contract to succeed Guus Hiddink at the helm of the Dutch champions and will leave Benfica following a disappointing domestic campaign in Portugal. "It is a two-year deal with PSV," said Koeman, a PSV player from 1986-89. "The chance of returning to my country did influence my decision and I also played for PSV and won a European Cup there, so I am looking forward to it. It will be a real honour to follow Guus Hiddink."
'Terrific experience'
The coach, who replaced Giovanni Trapattoni last summer on a two-year deal when Benfica were newly crowned Portuguese champions, added: "Benfica has been a terrific experience for me. I have seen the greatness of this club and it has been a real pleasure working here." The Lisbon side, whose UEFA Champions League adventure ended at the hands of FC Barcelona in the last eight, finished third in the Portuguese Liga. Benfica chairman Luís Filipe Vieira said: "I want to wish Ronald all the best – he is one of the best coaches in the world." Koeman has previously coached BV Vitesse and AFC Ajax in the Netherlands.
Championship
PSV, meanwhile, exited the premier European competition against Olympique Lyonnais in the first knockout round, but Hiddink's team made amends for that disappointment by winning the Eredivisie by ten points from AZ Alkmaar. Hiddink will take charge of Russia's national side after leading Australia at this summer's FIFA World Cup.
