Dick Advocaat was unveiled as the new Netherlands head coach at a press conference on Tuesday.
- By James Rowe
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Advocaat was confirmed as the replacement for Danny Blind last month, but only took charge of his first training session on Tuesday after finishing the season with Fenerbahce.
Speaking at his press conference, Advocaat said, “I never thought that I would be Dutch national team manager again. I believe I am here because a lot of people did not want the job or could not do it and a lot did not dare to do it and I did.
”I did not expect to become Dutch national team manager again and I would have been happy if someone else was also sitting here but the KNVB came to me and it is difficult to say no because it is a great job and a great challenge. It will be difficult but we believe that things are possible.
”I believe that I do not think too differently than Danny Blind. Blind is also a fantastic coach and he has some bad luck in his career in terms of injuries.
”It is now up to the players to show their worth and show why things went wrong previously.
Advocaat’s return has sparked some controversy because he quit the national team when he was assistant with Blind to become Fenerbahce coach. He said on the situation, ”I left as assistant to Blind to manage Fenerbahce. I noticed that I was not an assistant in terms of asking permission to do things and that is not me. I need to be myself.
” I turned down three jobs whilst I was assistant to Danny Blind and by the 4th offer together with the clause in my contract. I felt the time was right to move on.”
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“It is now up to the players to show their worth and show why things went wrong previously.”
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I say its now up to you to show your worth and show us the real Dutch team