Belgians want Van Gaal on board

Belgian federation officials have begun courting Louis Van Gaal, who has just led AZ Alkmaar to the Dutch league crown, in the hope he will replace Rene Vandereycken as Belgium’s national team coach, according to reports.

Flemish language paper Het Laatste Nieuws said Friday officials from the federation (URBSFA) travelled across the Dutch border Wednesday to enter talks with Van Gaal.

Dutchman Van Gaal, who won back-to-back Spanish titles with Barcelona in 1998 and 1999, is under contract with AZ until 2010 although the report suggested he could combine both jobs.

“It’s not ideal, but for some candidates it’s an option,” said URBSFA president Francois De Keersmaecker.

Vandereycken, 55, was sacked in April after three years in his post.

He failed to lead Belgium to the Euro 2008 finals, and Belgium, currently fourth in their World Cup qualifying group 5 with seven points from an available 18, have virtually no chance of going to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Marseille coach Eric Gerets turned down the Belgium job last week, as did Ghent coach Michel Preud’homme.

Among the contenders to take over, according to the report, are Belgians Hugo Broos, Marc Wilmots and Jean-Francois De Sart as well as Romanian Laszlo Boloni, the coach of Standard Liege.