Guus Hiddink is in pole position to become the next Netherlands national team coach as speculation increases over an imminent contract.

Louis van Gaal is to quit after next year’s World Cup and Hiddink is set to sign a contract in January as his replacement once the tournament in Brazil is concluded, Dutch media reported.

A two-year deal up to and including the 2016 European Championship in France is to be offered to the 67-year-old, who will return for a second spell in charge of the Dutch side.

“I am neither confirming nor denying anything,” said Bert van Oostveen, who is the director in charge of Dutch national teams at the country’s football association (KNVB).

“That is something we never do when it comes to questions like this,” he told reporters.

“Everyone must wait for the facts. We will announce a successor to Van Gaal once he is in place.”

Hiddink, however, has confirmed to Dutch media he met with KNVB at his home in Amsterdam last month. He said a contract would be discussed once he returned from a Christmas holiday trip to Africa.

Initially, Ronald Koeman was the clear favourite to take over once Van Gaal an-nounced he intended stepping down. But it seems that disappointing results with his club Feyenoord over the last year have knocked him out of contention.