LAHORE - After an enduring search, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has decided to hire the services of the Austrian coach George Kottan for an initial period of one year, extendable based on performance. The coach will look after the national team, Under-23 team that will go all out for hat-trick at Dhaka's 11th South Asian Games (29 Jan - 9 Feb 2010), as well as Pakistan Youth teams who will show their mettle in biennial AFC competitions later this year. "The coach has been tasked with the assignment to groom and further polish the available talent in the country with specific emphasis on the coming international events so that Pakistan can be brought at par in all disciplines of soccer with its competitors and the rapidly developing standard of football in this part of the world," said PFF's President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat. Kottan visited Pakistan in 2003 as Bangladeshi coach when Pakistan hosted Asian U20 Asian Championship at People's Sports Complex. He also coached Goan outfit Churchill Brothers in India 2006. Faisal recalled that Kottan is one of the seven gold medalist coaches in the history of South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship. He was very impressive during the event six years ago as under his supervision Bangladesh were crowned champions at their own backyard at Bangabandhu National Stadium at Dhaka. Faisal, who is also a member of the Asian Football Confederation Disciplinary Committee, said that Austrian will also deliver his services in Youth Development Programs, Talent Hunt Schemes, Youth Football Education Programs besides preparing a highly competent and professional pool of coaches for the future challenges. We have also called ten home coaches for the ongoing National Camp at Lahore's Punjab stadium to get expertise, latest know-how of modern football of famous coach from Central Europe. "We have interacted with former internationals, coaches of Pakistan and the man, born at Austrian capital of Vienna on 6 October 1946, had impressed them and the panel of PFF, with his experience and knowledge of the game. As a result Kottan, emerged as the ultimate choice for the job of the Pakistani teams." "The PFF had on its Radar many foreign coaches since last one year and during the period PFF managed to shortlist many renowned coaches. After thorough and in-dept scrutiny, PFF has finally selected George Kottan it's Head Coach," concluded Faisal.