Marco van Basten handed FIFA role

Heerenveen head coach Marco van Basten looks on prior to Eredivisie match between PEC Zwolle and SC Heerenveen on December 13, 2013
© Getty Images
Former Netherlands, Ajax and AC Milan striker Marco van Basten is appointed as FIFA's new chief officer for technical development.

Former Netherlands international Marco van Basten has been appointed as FIFA's new chief officer for technical development.

The 51-year-old has a rich background within football, having won the Ballon d'Or three times during a playing career cut short by injury before moving into management.

Van Basten now switches to a new role, where he will be "heading up all technical areas ranging from football technology innovation to refereeing".

"It's a great honour for me to be appointed for this assignment. I'm very proud to have to opportunity to work in the Home of FIFA, the home of world football. I hope to be able to give my contribution to ensure that football remains the number one sport in the world," he said in a statement.

"Football is spectacular and it has to stay spectacular in every sense. We all love this sport. That's why I will work hard to develop football technically in the way that our sport will give to the fans and the players always emotions and joy."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino added: "Marco van Basten is football. We have to cherish football, we have to protect football and develop football. Marco is a great expert, not only a legend. There is a lot he can do for football, for the game and around the pitch in the world. I'm extremely happy that he joined our team and I'm sure that he will do a great job."

Van Basten scored 277 goals in 373 appearances for Ajax and AC Milan, in addition to 24 goals in 58 appearances at international level.

Sturm Graz's Darko Bodul during their UEFA Europa League match at the Olympic stadium in Athens on September 29, 2011
Read Next:
Darko Bodul: 'I want to reach the top'
>

Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City96212091120
2Arsenal96211991020
3Liverpool96212011920
4Chelsea96121991019
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs9540134919
6Everton9432138515
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd94231312114
8Southampton9342118313
9Watford93331313012
10Bournemouth93331212012
11Crystal Palace93241212011
12Leicester CityLeicester93241115-411
13West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom92431010010
14Burnley9315813-510
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham93151017-710
16Stoke CityStoke9234916-79
17Middlesbrough9144711-47
18Hull City9216822-147
19Swansea CitySwansea9126815-75
20Sunderland9027616-102