Football: Robson to go Dutch for a second time

BOBBY ROBSON, the former England coach, will return to PSV Eindhoven next season, the Dutch champions announced yesterday. Robson, 65, currently director of football with the Spanish club Barcelona, has agreed a one- year contract with the club he led to back-to-back league titles during his previous spell there from 1990-1992.

Details of the contract were not released. The Englishman will replace Dick Advocaat who is leaving PSV at the end of the season to coach Rangers.

PSV Eindhoven are currently second in the league behind Ajax and look on course for a place in the qualifying round of next season's Champions' League.

Apart from leading England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 1990, Robson's track record in club football is outstanding, with successful spells at Barcelona, Porto and Ipswich, where he had his first real success by winning the FA Cup against Arsenal 20 years ago.

The Scottish Football Association has told the 10 clubs looking to form a new Premiership for next season they must formulate their final proposals by 17 April. An SFA council meeting in Glasgow yesterday granted an extension for those setting up the breakaway league to fine tune their proposals, but warned they must complete the job in time.

The next SFA executive committee is scheduled for 24 April and they have set aside a special 5 May meeting when they are expected to finally bring the long-running saga to a close.

Among the matters that are likely to receive close attention will be television rights and sponsorship, not least whether a share of funds will go to clubs outside the elite.

The matter of relegation this season also needs finalising, though it now seems unlikely that the bottom club will avoid the drop.

Dundee, who need only one a point to seal the First Division title, have been vocal in their support of the new Premiership and will not be denied access.