Cocu set to take charge of PSV

Phillip Cocu has been unveiled as new PSV Eindhoven coach, following the resignation of Dick Advocaat.

Advocaat has declared he would leave at the end of the season should his side fail to win Eredivisie title. PSV have finished in the second spot, seven points behind the leaders Ajax.

The 42-year-old Cocu has spent three months at PSV as interim coach before the appointment of Advocaat. He has signed four-year deal that will keep him in Eindhoven for at least 2017.

PSV general manager Tiny Sanders revealed Cocu’s arrival means shift of focus from instant success to a long-term development of youth players and forming a team for the future. He said: “PSV and Phillip Cocu have agreed a four-year contract as head coach. This expresses the intention to build a new PSV with the involvement and appearance that characterises the club.

“Both parties see the selection of Phillip Cocu, after a good debut as interim coach, as the right choice. After focusing on the championship in 2013, partly fuelled by the return of Dick Advocaat, we are now aiming to implement a long-term vision. Extra attention and investment will be made in our youth system…while individual training and guidance and a recognisable style of play at all levels are important examples of our priorities. Qualification for the Champions League this year is a great windfall but is secondary to the priorities previously mentioned,” he added.

Sanders noted: “PSV would like to thank Dick Advocaat for his hard work in the 2012/13 season and wish him every success in his future challenges. He was willing to show his loyalty and was the same passionate man with a warm heart as he was during his first spell in charge, so we are very grateful.”.