Dutchman Arie Haan has been chosen by China to be their new national coach, replacing Bora Milutinovic who quit after the World Cup finals.
“I have a lot of confidence because otherwise I wouldn’t come to so big a country,” former World Cup star Haan said.
“I think there’s a very good future here, and I’d like to be a part of it.”
Haan said he aimed to replicate the success of compatriot Guus Hiddink, who took South Korea to the World Cup semi-finals.
“Everybody was looking in Western Europe, especially Holland, at what a fine job he was doing,” said Haan.
“I can only hope I do the same. I have the confidence to do it.”
Haan’s salary demands of around œ450,000 a year were reported by Chinese media to be the most modest of the five candidate, who included Holland assistant coach Wim Van Hanagem and former Japan coach Phillippe Troussier.
