The Hague, July 2 (IANS) Danny Blind has been named the head coach of the Netherlands national team from August 1, taking over from Guus Hiddink, under whom he served as assistant coach until recently.

The Dutch football association KNVB had announced last week that the 68-year-old Hiddink had left his position as head coach, reported Xinhua news agency.

The KNVB reached an agreement with Blind about the change of position. Blind will also serve as head coach from 2016 until August 1, 2018, as already agreed last year, with a moment of evaluation scheduled after the 2015-16 season.

“We are pleased that we have quickly found a suitable successor to Guus Hiddink soon after his departure. We wish Danny and his staff every success,” said KNVB director Bert van Oostveen in a press release on Wednesday.

Blind, the father of current Dutch international Daley Blind, responded from his holiday address: “Together with the staff and players, I’ll be working hard to ensure qualification for next year’s European Championships.