Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk has quit following his side’s shocking Euro 2012 failure. Holland headed into the European Championships as one of the favourites in the betting but endured a hugely disappointing tournament, losing all three group stage matches as they were sent packing without a single point. The Dutch football association will now seek to find a replacement before Holland’s World Cup 2014 qualification campaign gets underway against Turkey in September.
Van Marwijk took charge of Oranje after Euro 2008 and in his first major tournament he led them all the way to the Final of World Cup 2010. However, they lost out to Spain, courtesy of a late Andrés Iniesta goal in extra-time. The 60-year-old then went on to guide Holland to Euro 2012 after winning nine of their 10 qualifying games, with their only defeat coming against Sweden after qualification had be secured. Holland were hotly tipped to go all the way and win in Poland & Ukraine but came unstuck in the Group of Death, losing to Denmark, Germany and Portugal. As a result of their poor performances and a public backlash Van Marwijk decided to step down on Wednesday.
Ideally the Dutch will be looking to install a successor before their next friendly against Belgium on August 15th and it is likely that they won’t be short of suitors, with the likes of Ronald Koeman, Co Adriaanse, Louis Van Gaal, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard all being linked to the vacancy.
