Jimmy Calderwood has revealed that former Arsenal star Marc Overmars helped persuade him to become manager of Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles until the end of the season.

The former Dunfermline, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss has been out of work since leaving Ross County at the end of last campaign.

Calderwood is a well-known figure in Dutch football having played for Sparta Rotterdam, Willem II, Roda JC and Heracles.

He also managed NEC Nijmegen before returning to Scotland in 1999 to coach Dunfermline Athletic.

Speaking to STV, he revealed technical director Overmars played a key role in joining the second division side.

Calderwood said: “I’m delighted to get the tracksuit back on. Marc Overmars gave me a call and it’s happened so quickly.

“The deal is until the end of the season and that gives both sides to have a look at the situation.”

Calderwood replaces Joop Gall as boss but won’t be in the dugout for Friday’s match with Den Bosch.

But the 57-year-old says the challenge of reaching the promotion play-offs back to the Eredivisie was too good to turn down.

He added: “It’s a great club with good supporters. The club has an English kind of feel about it and we’ll see how we get on.”

The Go Ahead squad includes former Aberdeen player Dave Bus and Calderwood is delighted to be reunited with the man he signed in 2008.

He said: “Yeah Dave is here but I haven’t had the chance to speak to him yet. It’s all been a bit hectic but hopefully we can make the play-offs this season.”