The new Eredivisie season kicks off this weekend and all eyes will be on the new coaches of four of the league's biggest clubs.

Reigning champions PSV Eindhoven begin their defence of the title at FC Utrecht on Saturday with Huub Stevens at the helm following Sef Vergoossen's seven-month tenure, while last season's nearest rivals Ajax kick off a new era under Marco van Basten at Willem II, who narrowly emerged from the relegation dog fight.

Van Basten started his career with the Amsterdammers and his return, which was announced before the end of last season, has been eagerly awaited.

Feyenoord will be hoping to improve on their disappointing sixth-placed finish last term and have brought in Gert Jan Verbeek to replace Bert van Marwijk, who has taken over as Holland boss. The Rotterdam club travel to Heracles Almelo on Sunday.

But the most high-profile appointment is arguably that of Steve McClaren as coach of FC Twente, who start their campaign with a trip to Roda JC.

The former England manager, who was recruited in June, failed to guide his new team into the group stage of the Champions League after losing a tough qualifier against Arsenal 6-0 over two legs, but will be aiming to prevent the league becoming a two-horse race between PSV and Ajax.

Twente were the surprise package last campaign, finishing fourth in the table and wrestling a place in the Champions League qualifiers from much-fancied Ajax. McClaren, though, has urged his players not to rest on their laurels.

"Looking back to last season is useless," he said. "That was the first thing I made clear to the squad. You cannot live on the success you had before.

"We want to go on down the line that brought success before and that is what we are working on now."

Newly-promoted Volendam face a tough test at home to Heerenveen, who were fifth last season, and fellow newcomers ADO Den Haag travel to last year's strugglers Sparta Rotterdam.

Vitesse Arnhem kick off proceedings on Friday night by hosting FC Groningen and NAC Breda, who were third last season, travel to AZ Alkmaar.