The Dutchman replaces Dave Collins, whose contract was not renewed after Britain failed to achieve the target of five medals at the Beijing Olympics set by Government agency UK Athletics.

Many people believe that van Commenee should have been given the job after Max Jones retired following the Athens Olympics in 2004.

But, after he was overlooked, he returned to Holland and became the technical director of the Dutch Olympic Committee, leading them to 12th in the Olympic medals table in Beijing with 16 medals, including seven gold, their second best performance in the 112-year history of the Games.

One of the first issues that van Commenee will have to deal with is the on-going saga of Chambers.

The country's top-ranked sprinter is banned from competing in the 2012 Olympics having tested positive for performance-enhancing anabolic steroids in 2003.

But van Commenee has promised the Londoner that he will start with a clean slate this year and Chambers has already started lobbying for a place in Britain's 4x100 metres relay squad for this year's World Championships in Berlin.

But Michael Khmel, Britain's Australian-born relay coach, will tell van Commenee he does not want Chambers involved.

He said: "I'll have to wait until Charles arrives and speak to him before any decisions are made.

"My hope is we will not require him [Chambers], but if he qualifies for the World Championships we want to use everyone who is there.

"With him not being eligible for the 2012 Olympics, we would not be planning him to use him at those.

"It seems if we do use him, it will be just for one [this] year."