Advocaat admits Belgium job no joke

Dutchman Dick Advocaat took over the beleaguered Belgian national side on Tuesday saying he faced a “tremendous challenge”.

“The aim will be to qualify Belgium for Euro 2012. I would consider it a personal failure if we don’t,” said the 62-year-old, a former two-time Dutch national coach who also coached Scottish giants Rangers and enjoyed less successful spells with South Korea and Borussia Monchengladbach.

“I’m not afraid of the challenge because I know there is quality in the group. But I’m not saying I can guarantee success.”

Advocaat, sacked by Zenit St Petersburg in August, had been due to take charge on January 1, 2010, but the resignation of caretaker coach Franky Vercauteren, which followed Belgium’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Armenia, led to a change of plan.

Belgium have no chance of making the World Cup finals.

The Brussels media have highlighted tensions between French and Flemish players but Advocaat, who does not speak French, said: “I will not play politics.

“I will pick players based solely on their footballing qualities.”

Advocaat’s first game will be at home against Turkey on October 10.