Reijners handed Netherlands role

Roger Reijners will coach the Netherlands in UEFA Women's EURO 2013 qualifying after being appointed the permanent successor to Vera Pauw.

Reijners has signed a contract running until the 2016 Olympic Games and will begin his role on 1 November, leaving second division side Fortuna Sittard. The 46-year-old has a lot to live up to in succeeding Pauw, who coached the Netherlands to the semi-finals at their first major tournament, UEFA Women's EURO 2009, before leaving in March and later becoming women's technical director at the Football Union of Russia (RFS).

Capped four times at Under-21 level by the Netherlands, former Fortuna and MVV Maastricht midfielder Reijners went on to be the youth and first-team coach at both clubs. He takes over a Netherlands team beaten to the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup play-offs by Norway and who will discover their 2013 qualifying opposition on 14 March, with matches starting next September.

"I look forward to this pleasant challenge with a lot of enthusiasm," Reijners said. "Together with the players and staff I want to ensure that the Dutch women's team will become established in big tournaments. This season we will start with preparing the team for the European Championship qualification campaign."

Netherlands captain Daphne Koster has backed the new trainer. "The squad are glad that there is a new national coach with fresh insights," the defender said. "I am of the opinion that Roger Reijner can take us further playing good football."