THE HAGUE (AFP) - Former Barcelona hero Ronald Koeman will return to the Spanish first division - as coach of Valencia - after deciding to quit as coach of PSV Eindhoven, according to reports Wednesday.

ANP news agency said the 44-year-old Koeman, a Champions League winner with Barcelona in 1992, will begin his new job on Monday after signing a contract with the eastern coast side on Friday.

His assistant at PSV, Tonny Bruins Slot, will also join the Spanish club according to a spokesman, Ger Lagendijk, cited by ANP.

Valencia have been looking for a leading coach since the sacking of Quique Sanchez Flores on Sunday and media reports suggested that Italians Fabio Capello and Marcelo Lippi, and Portuguese Jose Mourinho were being lined up.

A former central defender, Koeman scored the winning goal from one of his trademark free kicks in the 1992 Champions League final to hand Barcelona, with whom he played in 1989-1995, their first top European crown.

He was also Barcelona's assistant coach in 1998-2000.

Koeman's departure will be a blow to PSV, who are leading the Dutch first division after nine days.

Last year Koeman, also a former coach of Benfica in Portugal, led PSV to the Dutch league title, his third as a coach having also led Ajax to the championship title in 2002 and 2004.