Van Marwijk signs extension with Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk signed a contract extension through July 2016, the Dutch Football Association announced Thursday.

Van Marwijk, 59, took over the Dutch national team in July 2008 and guided the country to the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, a 1-0 overtime defeat to Spain.

The Netherlands have also qualified for the Euro 2012 finals, where it was put in the "Group of Death" along with Germany, Portugal and Denmark in Group B. The Euro finals will be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine this summer.

His contract extension assures he will remain coach through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and the Euro 2016 finals in France.