Ajax have revealed that they received a formal approach from the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) about the possibility of reserve team coach Marco van Basten becoming Holland’s next national coach.

“Ajax has been formally approached by Henk Kesler (manager) of the KNVB with regard to appointing a new national coach,” the club said in statement on Wednesday.

The post became vacant after Dick Advocaat’s resignation following Holland’s semi-final exit at Euro 2004.

Van Basten and fellow reserve coach at Ajax, John van’t Schip, have been approached with a view to becoming coach and asistant for the national team.

Ajax director Arie van Eijden said: “Ajax is proud of the fact that members of the technical staff of Ajax are being considered to lead the Dutch eleven.

“If it comes to that, Ajax would be sorry about the departure of both trainers.”

According to reports in the Dutch media, Dutch legend, Johan Cruyff, recommended Van Basten and Van’t Schip at a meeting with the KNVB on Monday.

One of Europe’s greatest strikers over the last two decades, 39-year-old Van Basten played for Ajax and Milan before persistent ankle problems forced him to retire from the game in 1995.