Dick Advocaat expects the sack if he fails to get Belgium through to the 2012 European Championship finals, the new coach said.

"If I don't manage it then you can be done with me. I would not have done well. The task is clear," Advocaat told a packed news conference at the FA's headquarters.

The 61-year-old Dutchman will officially take charge of the 'Red Devils' on October 1, three months earlier than planned after he was sacked by Russian club Zenit St Petersburg last month.

Stand-in Belgium coach Frank Vercauteren quit after a 2-1 defeat in Armenia two weeks ago meant they could not qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.

Advocaat will lead the team in their final two qualifiers at home to Turkey on October 10 and in Estonia four days later.

Belgium's last appearance at a major championship was in the 2002 World Cup finals. The team have since dropped to 68th in FIFA's world rankings.

Advocaat said some of the younger players needed to take a reality check.

"I have the impression some think they are ready for Real Madrid or Barcelona. That's not the case. They have talent but they are still young," he said without naming any players.

"There is a good young core. With hard work you can achieve a lot."

Advocaat, nicknamed the 'Little General', led Netherlands into the World Cup quarter-finals in 1994 and the European Championship semi-finals 10 years later. He also had a spell in charge of South Korea and secured league titles with PSV Eindhoven and Rangers.

Advocaat was awarded honorary citizenship of the Russian city of St Petersburg after Zenit won the 2008 UEFA Cup.

"I bring experience," he said. "I know a little bit about what you have to do at this level."