Koeman replaces Verbeek as Oman head coach

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Turkish Super League - Fenerbahce v Kasimpasa - Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - December 3, 2018 Fenerbahce coach Erwin Koeman before the match REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo

(Reuters) - Erwin Koeman has taken over from fellow Dutchman Pim Verbeek as head coach of Oman, the country's football association has said.

Verbeek stood down from the role for personal reasons after leading Oman to the knockout rounds of the Asian Cup for the first time last month. He also led them to victory in the Gulf Cup in early 2018.

Koeman previously worked as head coach of the Hungary national team and served as an assistant coach under his brother, Ronald, during his time with English Premier League clubs Southampton and Everton.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Round of 16 - Iran v Oman - Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - January 20, 2019 Oman coach Pim Verbeek before the match REUTERS/Suhaib Salem/File Photo

Local media reported that the 57-year-old had been handed a two-year contract and was tasked with leading Oman to the World Cup finals for the first time in 2022.

(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Editing by Peter Rutherford)