China name Dutchman Haan as head coach

"I have a lot of confidence because otherwise I wouldn't come to so big a country," Haan told a news conference on Sunday.

"I think there's a very good future here, and I'd like to be a part of it," said the 54-year-old, adding that his first priority for China was the 2004 Asian Cup.

The players would then turn their attentions to qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, said Haan.

Former head coach Bora Milutinovic stepped down after China made their first appearance in the finals of a World Cup in South Korea and Japan earlier this year. The team failed to win a point or score a goal at the tournament.

Haan said he aimed to replicate the success of compatriot Guus Hiddink, who took South Korea to the semi-finals of this year's World Cup.

"Everybody was looking in Western Europe, especially Holland, at what a fine job he was doing," said Haan.

"I can only hope I do the same. I have the confidence to do it," he said.

FIVE CANDIDATES

Haan and Chinese soccer officials declined to give details of his contract, saying only it was "fair".

State media reported previously that Haan's salary demands of around $700,000 per year were the most modest among the five candidates for the job, which included Netherlands assistant coach Willem van Hanagem and former Japan coach Phillippe Troussier.

While officials had qualms over Haan's lack of international coaching experience, they were impressed by his ideas on cultivating young talent, newspapers have reported.

But Haan has already encountered an unforeseen challenge. Chinese reporters repeatedly asked the Dutchman how he preferred to pronounce his surname in standard Chinese, giving two tonal variations with very different meanings.

"I don't know which is better, but my name is Arie Haan," he replied.

Haan, who played for the Netherlands in the finals of the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, was appointed coach of African champions Al Ahlihas in June.

He has also coached at Austria Vienna, Feyenoord and Greek team PAOK Salonika, while in Germany he was coach at first division clubs VfB Stuttgart and FC Nuremberg.

Haan left his job as sports director of regional club Stuttgarter Kickers last month.