Pune FC have confirmed the signing of Dutch coach Mike Snoei as the successor of Derrick Pereira who will be joining Salgaocar SC at the end of the season.

Snoei will be PFC’s third foreign coach and the Dutchman is looking forward to his new coaching job in India. “It gives me immense pleasure to be associated with Pune FC, who is one of the premier football clubs of India.”

“As the new coach, I hope to bring a new dimension to the team and also develop a style of play along the way. I am sure, that working with young and dynamic players will enable me to further develop as a coach. I also hope to give the team a new vision and grow together with Pune FC,” the Dutchman told in an official release by the club.

The 49 year old Dutchman played his football with the three Rotterdam clubs Feyenoord (1981-82), Excelsior (1982-88) and Sparta (1988-93), before joining Sparta Rotterdam’s coaching staff in 1995 after his playing career came to an end due to an injury. Snoei had his first assignment as a head coach with Vitesse in 2002. He continued to coach Sparta Rotterdam and Go Ahead Eagles, before he accepted an offer by Panathinaikos FC to join their coaching staff in 2008.

The former defender had his first taste of Asian football in 2010, when he was roped in by Qatar’s Umm Salal SC as an assistant coach. He had also a spell in the same position at China’s Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, which ended earlier this year.

“Mike will be a great addition to Pune FC. He brings with him a wealth of experience from the top levels of both European and Asian football,” Nandan Piramal (Director, Pune FC) told. “As we continue to invest in our academy and youth teams, Mike will be the perfect fit to develop these players and help the club reach our long term goals.”

“We are very happy with the appointment of Mike Snoei as our Head Coach,” Chirag Tanna (Head of Operations, Pune FC) added. “Snoei comes with vast experience of managing and playing in top leagues around the world and we believe that he has what is needed to take Pune FC to the next level.”

Pune FC’s deal with Snoei was facilitated by Libero Sports India.