Nico-Jan Hoogma got it totally wrong when he appointed Frank de Boer as the Netherlands head coach and now the KNVB director is under the spotlight again as he looks for a new Oranje boss. Who will the KNVB turn to with crucial World Cup qualifiers only a few months away?
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Appointing De Boer as the successor to Ronald Koeman was a massive mistake and that was obvious as soon as the appointment was confirmed. At least it was obvious to everyone, but the KNVB. Nine months later, the Dutch football federation are unsurprisingly looking for a new head coach after De Boer resigned following the Euro exit to the Czech Republic.
The man whose decision it was to appoint De Boer, Nico-Jan Hoogma spoke with NOS after the news broke on Tuesday and he refused to call his decision a mistake. He also failed to resign and will now be tasked with finding a suitable replacement. Can he redeem himself?
Hoogma confirmed that a foreign appointment was under consideration and seemed to rule out the obvious and easy candidates Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Phillip Cocu by stating, “Ronald Koeman had a kind of aura about him: he really was the chief, the boss. That has worked very well and put us all on a certain path. I’m thinking in that direction, that’s the feeling I have.”
So what are the options for Hoogma?
As usual, Henk ten Cate name has been put forward and this time in a trio with Ruud Gullit and Marcel Keizer. Louis van Gaal is also there once again, but after failing to contact the 69-year-old after Koeman left, the KNVB’s phone call may be met with deaf ears. In terms of Dutch names Henk Fraser, Erwin van de Looi, and Frank Rijkaard are all put forward, but Erik ten Hag and Peter Bosz are off-limits and unrealistic.
With Dutch coaches far and few between, though, it may now be time for the KNVB to turn to a foreign coach, who could bring some fresh ideas. Arsene Wenger was put forward before De Boer was announced, but the Frenchman dismissed the links. Could the former Arsenal coach think differently this time?
Netherlands legend Willem van Hanegem has suggested a call for Zinedine Zidane, while Antonio Conte, Lucian Favre, Rudi Garcia and even outgoing Germany boss Joachim Low have been mentioned. It seems there is a real openness for the KNVB to appoint a non-Dutchman, with Rafael van der Vaart also putting forward current Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand.
The choice is a tough one for Hoogma and the KNVB and there is no room for error with the World Cup qualifiers coming in September. The debut for the new head coach will be a tricky away tie against Norway, which could be make or break for the hopes of the Dutch making Qatar.
The pressure is big and it is a decision that Hoogma cannot afford to get wrong. The nation awaits to see who will be the man to guide Oranje.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
I would love to see a 5-10 year contract given to Arsene Wenger, under a plan which would also give him remit to oversee the Dutch youth system too.
I feel that Arsene Wenger out of all the foreign coaches would respect the principles of Dutch football most, yet disregard the elements, ideas and voices that are out of date, and add his own twist.
I do recall that after Ajax falling at the semis of the Champions League final in 2019, in an TV interview whilst he marveled at the Ajax style of play, he was critical that Ajax seemed not to know how to kill the game with possession football.
I know the qualifiers are coming up and there are high stakes, but think it’s important that they take a long view with their next choice. Someone who not only has a good track record (unlike FDB / Blind) and is also committed to stay for a long-term and not bail like Koeman.
Lack of consistency at manager can be very harmful. Switzerland, a team of less quality, has had only 1 manager since 2014, has qualified for every tournament during that time, and always competes in the knockout stages even if they lose out. In the same timeframe the Dutch will now have had SIX managers after this new appointment (even if you don’t count LVG).
I always prefer a Dutch coach for Oranje especially now there is no time for foreign ideas and we need someone who knows well the players and Dutch football. I think KNVB can convince Ten Haag to leave Ajax and take charge of the national team.
I want a manager who is aggresive makes changes if need be and is not trepid.He must be willing to play attacking football no defensive minded coaches had enough of that already.
I might be in a minority but I would like to see Xavi appointed. Dutch Football has given so much to Barcelona and I think Xavi could do a good job (for the short term 2022 World Cup and even longer after that)
The truth is we don’t have accomplished Dutch coaches in need of a job right now. Barça is as close as it comes to the Dutch method.
put Van Der Sar as KNVB director, and Frank Rijkaard as the new coach. Rijkaard should’ve won us Euro 2000 if only FDB and Kluivert convert their penalty.
As for the big picture, please invest more to build a more competitive eredivisie. Just see the league top scorer for the last 10 years, not even one can replicate their form after moved to a bigger club. Today we got far better defenders than strikers. Maybe we should revert from good old total football to italy’s catenaccio.. 😀
Ruud Gullit if you want the aura. He has matured and has shed his party going style for a long time. In fact it has always been exaggerated. Gullit may not be super successful but he has proven himself at Chelsea. He did not become player-manager for nothing over a Chelsea. Go Ruud Gullit!
Gullit has an Aura and has proved himself???
Why not?
Harry