Liverpool legend Dirk Kuyt appointed new head coach of Dutch club Ado Den Haag

Former Liverpool favorite Dirk Kuyt has secured the first senior managerial role of his career at Dutch second-division club ADO Den Haag.

The 41-year-old, who made more than 200 appearances for Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, and scored 24 goals in 104 games for the Netherlands, has been named head coach of the Hague-based club on a one-year contract.

Speaking after his appointment, Kuyt — who born in Katwijk, less than 20 kilometres away from Den Haag’s stadium — said: “ADO Den Haag is a fantastic club and I am delighted to be standing here today and starting this new challenge as head coach.

“I am grateful for the warm welcome and the confidence that the club has expressed in me. The objective and ambition of the club appeal to me enormously and we will therefore, together with all the people at the club, ensure that we realize that ambition.”

General manager Edwin Reintjies added: “Dirk is a personality and a phenomenon in the football world. He knows better than anyone what is expected of a team to deliver a top performance and has been able to work under many top trainers at the highest level.

“He is ambitious, just like ADO Den Haag, and we are convinced that, just as in time as a player, also as a coach he will give everything to achieve results and to get everyone involved.

“With his attitude and reputation he will inspire and motivate our boys and we think he is the right man to bring us back to the Eredivisie.”

Kuyt was known for his tenacity and adaptability as a player, transitioning from striker to wing-back over the course of his career.

Having retired in 2017, he began work the following year as coach of Feyenoord under-19s.

Den Haag finished fourth in the Eerste Division last year, having been relegated from the Eredivisie after the 2020-21 season.