Singapore S.League and Malaysia Super League winning coach Robert Alberts has rejoined Indonesia Super League (ISL) club PSM Makassar after a six-year absence.
The 61-year-old Dutchman arrived at the Sulawesi-based side on Wednesday and will oversee team affairs as the ISL starts up again after last month's lifting of Indonesia's FIFA ban.
Alberts returns to coaching after leaving Sarawak FA last July following four years with the East Malaysian club. In January, he was one of three finalists for the Malaysia national team job before the full-time appointment of interim boss Ong Kim Swee.
"I am happy to be back on the field again," Alberts told ESPN FC.
"It felt like unfinished business with Makassar so it's great to be back with the club in a beautiful part of Indonesia."
After guiding Arema FC to the 2009-10 ISL title, Roberts joined Makassar in 2010 and oversaw a successful campaign for the club known as the Red Fighting Roosters. However, his stay was cut short with Makassar planning to join the rebel Indonesian Premier League.
"I left Makassar as we were preparing to play for first place but I kept in touch with everyone at the club when I returned to Malaysia," Alberts said.
"A couple of weeks ago, the club's new chairman contacted me to see if I was interested in taking over as coach. With the lifting of the FIFA ban and, after hearing of the chairman's new philosophy, it felt like the time was right."
PSM Makassar are backed by Bosowa Corporation, one of East Indonesia's richest companies, which specialises in manufacturing cement for construction.
In the unofficial Torabika Soccer Championship -- held in the absence of the ISL -- Makassar are 10th in the 18-team league, with seven points from five matches. Alberts' coaching debut next week will see him face his old club Arema, who are top of the table.
The ISL is expected to resume next year as Indonesian football gradually reintegrates into AFC and FIFA competitions after their ban.
Alberts, who won the 1999 S.League title with Home United and the 1993 Malaysian league and cup double with Kedah, had been linked to three other Indonesian clubs. He says he hasn't looked back since going so close to becoming Malaysia national coach earlier this year.
"It was a disappointment to me when I missed out because I was ready for it, but once the decision is made, you can't look back, you have to look forward," he said.
"Now I have to work on making Makassar better as a team and build them up for when the league becomes official again, taking them as high as possible."