New KNVB director Eric Gudde has spoken about the task of appointing a new head coach of the Dutch national team.

  • By James Rowe
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Gudde left his position with Feyenoord to take charge at the KNVB at a time when he needs to appoint both a technical manager and a new head coach with Dick Advocaat’s contract ending after next week’s friendly with Romania.

He told NOS, ”We are looking for a new technical manager and Dutch national team manager and we have had a lot of discussions about appointing a technical director. But I believe that for that national youth teams and the training over the managers here at the Dutch FA that one is needed.

”We hope that the technical director will eventually appoint the Dutch national team manager.

”Today is day one and I believe that between 80 – 100 days are needed to observe and talk with people to really get this decision right in terms of going forward.

”The technical director and Dutch national team manager do not necessarily have to be Dutch. Quality is the most important thing and also understanding the situation we find ourselves in.

”We have to analyse what we need and then we can fill in the potential names. We will look to appoint a new national team manager by March 2018.

”I will be speaking to Dick Advocaat as he is the current Dutch national team manager.

”We will be looking at how countries such as Iceland, Serbia and Belgium have conducted their business and the stability and continuity that they have shown in recent times with a reasonable small squad and a clear playing style and also playing with a lot of passion. These are facets that we must must strive to emphasize.

”If I watch Iceland and Serbia play. They play with a lot of passion but the Dutch national women’s team have shown that as a nation we can play with passion.”




James Rowe (696 Posts)