Ex-Netherlands, South Korea soccer coach Dick Advocaat hired by Serbia

Newly-appointed Serbian national soccer team coach Dick Advocaat poses for photographers with a Serbian jersey during a press conference in Stara Pazova, Serbia, Monday, July 28, 2014. Advocaat signed a two-year contract with Serbia and has the mandate to lead them to the 2016 European Championship in France. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) (The Associated Press)

Newly-appointed Serbian national soccer team coach Dick Advocaat listens during a press conference in Stara Pazova, Serbia, Monday, July 28, 2014. Advocaat signed a two-year contract with Serbia and has the mandate to lead them to the 2016 European Championship in France. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) (The Associated Press)

STARA PAZOVA, Serbia – Dick Advocaat, who has coached the Netherlands and South Korea at World Cups, is Serbia's new soccer coach.

He was introduced Monday and inherits a team that failed to qualify for this year's World Cup in Brazil. The 66-year-old Dutchman will be coaching his sixth national team.

His immediate goal is to guide Serbia to the 2016 European Championship. Serbian officials say Advocaat's contract could be extended if he does so.

Advocaat succeeds Sinisa Mihajlovic, who joined the Italian club Sampdoria after Serbia did not make the World Cup last year.

Advocaat also coached the national teams of United Arab Emirates, Belgium and Russia, and club teams PSV Eindhoven and Rangers. Last season, he had a second stint with the Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, which reached the Europa League quarterfinals.