After the elimination of the Netherlands in the eighth finals at the European Championship, the position of Frank de Boer is a topic of discussion. Valentijn Driessen already announced on Sunday evening after the 0-2 defeat against the Czech Republic that he believes that the loss in Budapest cannot remain without consequences. In a podcast by The Telegraph he repeats those words. the Dutch watcher Mike Verweij calls it a ‘very big risk’ if the KNVB decides to continue with De Boer as national coach.
“I long for Erik ten Hag,” says Driessen, who has regularly criticized the Ajax trainer in the past, in the podcast. “I really have to say: when I see how Erik ten Hag plays in terms of system, and of course there are differences in nuance and details, but that allows Ajax to play football the way Ajax should play. I think he will also let the Dutch national team play the way the Dutch national team should play.”
“But it is of course not for nothing that the name of Peter Bosz was mentioned a lot. And that the name of Henk ten Cate is mentioned”, adds Verweij. Bosz was already linked to the the Dutch after the departure of Ronald Koeman and was recently appointed to Olympique Lyon. Ten Cate is under contract with Al-Wahda. “They weren’t from 5-3-2 or 3-5-2, call it what you want to call it. The Dutch national team, you have to sit down and enjoy it. And if you die in a final tournament, it must be honorable and dignified. And not like that.”
“Normally, at a decisive top of the KNVB, you don’t let such a national coach sit. But I really wonder whether the KNVB dares to make that decision,” said Verweij, who points to the World Cup qualification under De Boer. “You lose in Turkey (4-2, ed.). And in Turkey it is a bit different than at a final tournament. But Turkey was actually the laughingstock of this European Championship: played three, zero points. And the Netherlands has lost to that. The KNVB is taking a very big risk if they let De Boer sit. Because imagine not making it to the World Cup.”
Driessen is curious about the evaluation of the KNVB. “If everyone thinks we are on the right track, because that’s how it even came across, then I think: then you are blind to what happened here at this European Championship.” Verweij, in turn, is curious about the reaction of the the Dutch internationals. “Do the players stand up? If they say in the coming weeks that they feel fine in this system and with this national coach, then they shouldn’t complain if they don’t play at a major tournament for another six years.”
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