The 48-year-old, who is currently working for the Netherlands Football Association (KNVB), will take up his appointment on September 1.

Koevermans will be responsible for developing the Republic's stars of the future at international level.

He told the FAI's official website, www.fai.ie: "I am very excited about this challenge.

"I believe I have a lot to offer to the development of the under-age international squads and I look forward to working with the elite players graduating from the Emerging Talent Programme when they attend the National Academy."

mfl