Van Commenee resigned from his role to become British athletics' new head coach after leading Holland to 12th in the Olympic medals table in Beijing with 16 medals, including seven gold, their second best performance in the 112-year history of the Games.

 

Hendriks, meanwhile, is one of the best known names in Dutch sport, having guided the men's hockey team to the Olympic gold medal at Sydney in 2000.

 

He had also been assistant manager when the team had triumped in Atlanta four years earlier.

 

Hendriks, a former goalkeeper, has since been Spain's coach and has guided them to a number of honours, including the Champions Trophy in 2004 and the Olympic silver medal in Beijing.

 

The 47-year-old Hendriks said: "After eight wonderful years in Spain I have excepted an invitation to return to Holland.

 

"It was an unexpected change in my professional situation.

 

"After the silver medal in the Beijing Olympics the team indicated that they would like for me to continue as their coach, this was followed by a generous offer from the Royal Spanish Hockey Federation.

 

"Just when I was about to sign I was approached by the Dutch Olympic Committee, who offered me the post of Chef de Mission/Technical Director of the Dutch Olympic Team for the London 2012 Olympics.

 

"I have always thought that this was one of the most challenging positions in sport and a great honour to be offered to lead all sports in the Netherlands."

 

Van Commenee is due to officially take up his new position with UK Athletics on January 1, 2009.