Vairo began coaching in Europe in 1986, when he moved to the Tilburg Trappers who played in the Eredivisie in the Netherlands. He led the team to a sixth-place finish during the 1986–87 season. He was also head coach of the Netherlands men's national ice hockey team at the 1987 Ice Hockey World Championships, with Ron Berteling as his team captain. The national team placed seventh in Group B, and were relegated to Group C for the next World Championships. Vairo departed for Italy in 1987, and recommended former New Jersey Devils colleague Fred Shero to takeover coaching duties in Tilburg.