Frank de Boer was presented to the press as the new Netherlands head coach on Friday.
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De Boer was confirmed to be Ronald Koeman’s replacement earlier this week and gave his first press conference on Friday.
He said on the job, “Here is a very happy person, although you do not always see that in me. But it really is. I am honoured and it makes me proud that I can be the national coach of the Netherlands. As a player, I always liked to wear the shirt of the Netherlands. It is a very special moment for me and for my loved ones. I believe we have a bright future. I’m really looking forward to it.”
On those criticising the KNVB for his appointment, De Boer added, “I don’t care if I am candidate one, two, three, four or five, I am happy that I have gained the confidence and I do not want to betray it. You always have opponents. You often hear them the loudest. The small groups that make their voices heard often get the attention. That is not bad. But I think that a very large group is also satisfied with the choice of the KNVB. “
De Boer has been criticised for having a boring style of play but he does not agree with that, “I think I have certainly played a pass forward once. Everyone knows what I was like as a player, I was the first to give a pass to the front. That pass sideways tag certainly does not apply to me. Let it be clear that I am here to win. Of course, we want to do that in the most beautiful way, if possible. We also have the quality for that. At the moment it looks good.”
De Boer doesn’t see himself as another Ronald Koeman, “I think I have similarities with Ronald, but I am certainly not 2.0. I have my own style and identity and am not a copy of anyone. But I do want to follow his path. It would be strange if I suddenly had a new system. Everyone believes in this Orange again and Dwight (Lodeweges) knows everything about the players. Why should I then take a different course? “
De Boer confirmed that he had spoken with assistant Dwight Lodeweges and captain Virgil van Dijk, “He (Van Dijk) is a very important pawn, an extension of the coach. When I address the group for the first time on the 5th of October, it is useful to already know what is going on a bit, what he is satisfied with. What can be improved and what is actually good.”
De Boer also revealed that he has recently spoken with Louis van Gaal, “Not now, but a long time ago. I was out for dinner with Louis and our wives and then Louis asked if I wanted to become a national coach. He thought I would be a good national coach, he said. I have a very good relationship with Louis.”
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Wishing Frank de Boer success in the important mission.