Former Chelsea and Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit has been named as the bid president for the joint Holland/Belgium bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.

Gullit, who was named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1987 and 1989, was appointed to the position due to his “vast football knowledge and enormous international appeal”.

The 2018 tournament is expected to go to Europe meaning that the former Dutch international will be going head to head with England, Russia and Spain/Portugal. The final decision for the 2018 tournament will be announced in December 2010.

Harry Been, CEO of the Holland/Belgium bid, said: “Ruud has a tremendous football background and knowledge that we believe can be a great advantage for the bid. During the official presentation of the candidacy to the world’s press in Cape Town in December last year, Ruud proved himself a great ambassador. He believes in our chances and is fully behind our bid message of ‘Together for Great Goals’, which shows how a World Cup in our countries can be of value to the rest of the world.”

A list of Holland and Belgium footballing greats were also announced as ambassadors recently. This list included Marco Van Basten, Clarence Seedorf, Eric Gerets, Dennis Bergkamp, Michel Preud’homme and Edwin Van der Sar.