Advocaat quits Holland job
Former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat has resigned as coach of Holland, the KNVB confirmed today.
Advocaat, who led Holland to the semi-finals of Euro 2004, opted to step down rather than stay in charge through to the World Cup finals in 2006, when his contract was due to expire.
A KNVB statement read: “We respect the decision and will convene about his successor.”
Their intention is to have Advocaat’s replacement installed before August 18 when Holland are due to play Sweden in a friendly.
Advocaat’s decision was widely expected after an indifferent campaign in Portugal.
The Dutch started badly and Advocaat received heavy criticism for his substitutions in the 3-2 defeat to the Czech Republic in the group stage.
His decision to withdraw winger Arjen Robben with Holland leading 2-1 sparked a post-mortem which continued for days, and only Germany’s defeat by the Czechs, coupled with Holland’s 3-0 win over Latvia, handed them their place in the last eight.
They beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-finals before losing to hosts Portugal in the semis.
Advocaat was defiant afterwards, saying: “I have nothing to prove.
“This is not my first tournament, I have been in a World Cup and other competitions.”
But it now seems the former Rangers coach has had enough and the KNVB will be eager to appoint the right man to lead Holland through a World Cup qualifying group which includes amongst others the Czechs, Finland and Romania.
