- JEDDAH: Frank Rijkaard has been appointed national coach of the Saudi Arabian football team on a three-year contract, worth a record 7.7 million euros.
The former Barcelona coach and Dutch football player is expected to arrive in Riyadh within two days ahead of the start of the Saudi football season.
He will be watching league matches before he calls up his first squad.
Head of the Saudi Youth Welfare Presidency Prince Nawaf bin Faisal said Rijkaard would have full control over the running of the national team and that his appointment was for the long-term.
Rijkaard will be expected to ensure Saudi Arabia qualify for the 2014 Football World Cup in Brazil.