CEES KOPPELAAR is to step down from his position as coach to the Irishmen's hockey team. Dutchman, Koppelaar, has held the position since 1987 when he took over from Ray Cantan prior to the European Championships in Moscow.

According to sources in the Irish Hockey Union, it is believed that Irish manager George Compston will also step aside in what will be the biggest change in personnel at international level for 10 years.

Koppelaar, who has been the country's most successful coach at European level, took the side to fifth in the last European Championships in Dublin and also guided Ireland to the World Cup finals in Lahore, Pakistan in 1990. He was also the first professional coach and the first from outside of Ireland to have been assigned to the job.

The affable Dutchman, who will be credited with bringing a fresh approach to fitness and training as well as innovative tactics, borrowed from his days in Ajax soccer club with Johan Cruyff, was over in Dublin last weekend and presented officials with a report he had drawn up on the Irish hockey team. The report is now being considered by officials but at the meeting Koppelaar indicated that he would be stepping down from his position.

Koppelaar originally came into soccer and hockey through athletics and was involved with the Dutch athletics team, who took part in last weekend's Europa Cup in Santry Stadium.

It is unknown if Ireland will again look outside the country to fill the position but a strong home contender for the job would be Ulster's John Clarke, himself a former international player.

Clarke is currently involved with the highly successful Lisnagarvey, who won this year's Irish Senior Cup and League championships and is highly regarded.

Stephen Martin, who won a gold and bronze medal with Britain in the Los Angeles and Seoul Olympics, is another name that has been mentioned. Martin's unmatched success as a player with Britain and Ireland and his experience as Irish captain for many years would make him a popular and respected choice.