Soccer-Van Marwijk is top candidate to become new Dutch coach

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Feyenoord's Bert van Marwijk is the number one candidate to replace Marco van Basten when the Netherlands coach steps down after Euro 2008.

In a statement on its Web site (www.knvb.nl) on Friday, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said it had held preliminary talks with Van Marwijk and the two sides would be meeting again soon.

The 55-year-old Van Marwijk signed a two-year deal with Feyenoord in June 2007 after being sacked by Borussia Dortmund last season.

It is his second spell with Feyenoord. He also coached the Rotterdam club from 2000 until 2004, winning the UEFA Cup in 2002.

Van Basten, who took over as Dutch coach in July 2004, has said he will quit after the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

The Dutch open their campaign against Group C rivals Italy in Berne on June 9. France and Romania are also in their section.

(Writing by Theo Ruizenaar, Editing by Tony Jimenez)