Advocaat, who will also continue in his role as Belgium coach, was officially presented in Alkmaar this afternoon, taking over from Ronald Koeman, who was sacked last week, until the end of the season.

Advocaat explained: "On Saturday at quarter past five, the phone rang and I got the request from AZ to be coach.

"I had already indicated to the Belgian association that I was open to a dual role.

"I'm not easily bored, but I missed football.

"The desire to be on the training field every day to assist players just started to itch again."

Advocaat has promised the Belgian FA, however, that his stint at AZ will not be extended.

"I gave them my word," he said.

The Alkmaar club won the Eredivisie under Louis van Gaal last season but have struggled this term and currently find themselves in seventh place, 19 points behind leaders FC Twente.

They suffered a further knock last night when they were dumped out of European competition, goalkeeper Sinan Bolat's stoppage-time equaliser for Standard Liege in their final Champions League match meaning AZ even missed out on a place in the Europa League.