Gullit to lead Dutch World Cup bid

Former world player of the year Ruud Gullit has been named president of Holland and Belgium's bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

The board of the bid team decided unanimously to appoint the former AC Milan player to the role, with Gullit having been heavily involved in the process already.

While Gullit will spearhead the bid, he has been joined by ambassadors including Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Edwin van der Sar, Dennis Bergkamp, Michel Preud'homme and Eric Gerets.

Harry Been, chief executive of the bid, said: "With his reputation and enormous international appeal, Ruud Gullit's appointment is of great significance for our candidacy.

"Ruud has a tremendous football background and knowledge that we believe can be a great advantage for the bid.

"During the official presentation of the candidacy to the world's press in Cape Town in December last year, Ruud proved himself a great ambassador.

"He believes in our chances and is fully behind our bid message of 'Together for Great Goals', which shows how a World Cup in our countries can be of value to the rest of the world."