The 48-year-old Koeman replaces Mario Been, who quit this month after players said they had lost faith in his leadership—plunging the cash-strapped club into turmoil shortly before the start of the new season.

Feyenoord finished 10th in the Dutch league last season, as archrival Ajax won its 30th title.

 Koeman has been looking for work since his last appointment, a 5-month stint with AZ Alkmaar, ended abruptly in December 2009. He has previously coached Ajax and PSV to league championships, and had brief spells at Valencia and Benefica.

 During an illustrious playing career, Koeman won 78 caps for Netherlands and won the Spanish league title four times as well as the 1992 European Cup with Barcelona.