Incoming Ajax boss Marco van Basten has offered to assist Dennis Bergkamp as the former Arsenal striker embarks on a career in coaching.

Bergkamp is to take the Royal Netherlands Football Association professional coaching qualification and Van Basten feels it would be mutually beneficial for him to get some hands-on experience at the Amsterdam giants.

"I called Dennis a few weeks ago, because I wanted to know how he was doing and if he would want to do something for Ajax, in whatever capacity," Van Basten said.

"It is important to work with as much quality as possible with Ajax and it is obvious that Dennis has qualities.

"In our conversation, Dennis said that he would come to the Netherlands to take the coaching course.

"Part of that course is that the participants enter a traineeship.

"I offered him a trainee post and he was very interested. I hope and expect that this will be good for Ajax and for Dennis.

"I think he can make players better. His presence will have an impact on the team.

"For Ajax as a whole it is also good that someone of Dennis' stature is involved with the club. At Ajax, Dennis can discover whether he enjoys being on the pitch in a different role."

Bergkamp started his career at Ajax, scoring 122 goals in 239 games before leaving for Internazionale in 1993. He joined Arsenal in 1995 and enjoyed huge success in North London, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Van Basten is currently planning for his first season as coach of Ajax. He takes over from Adrie Koster after leading Holland at Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland this summer.