Advocaat poised for return to PSV

Dick Advocaat has claimed he has a verbal agreement to take over as PSV Eindhoven coach next season.

Advocaat announced on Monday he was to step down as manager of the Russia national team after this summer's European Championship and the 64-year-old says he is close to a move back to the Philips Stadion.

"Verbally we have agreed but we have to put everything on paper. I expect that will happen this week," said Advocaat, who coached PSV between 1995 and 1998 and led them to the Eredivisie title in 1997.

"PSV has great potential but it needs to be realised," he added to Voetbal International.

PSV are currently coached by Phillip Cocu. Cocu replaced the sacked Fred Rutten last month, but will make way for a permanent manager in the summer and has previously spoken highly of Advocaat.

"I worked under him as a player at PSV and the national side," Cocu said in March.

"He is an excellent and enthusiastic trainer with extensive experience. Moreover, he knows PSV well."

The widely-travelled Advocaat has coached teams to domestic title success on four occasions, once each with PSV and Russia's Zenit St Petersburg and twice with Rangers in Scotland.

He has also had spells in charge of Holland, South Korea, United Arab Emirates and Belgium.