Dick Advocaat steps down as Netherlands manager following World Cup failure

Dick Advocaat has stepped down as Netherlands head coach following the country's failure to qualify for the World Cup finals in Russia next year.

 

The Oranje finished third behind France and Sweden in Group A, losing out on a potential play-off on goal difference despite a final-day win over the Swedes.

 

It's the second successive major tournament the Netherlands have failed to qualify for since finishing third at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

 

The Dutch football association, the KNVB, announced that Advocaat would not renew his current contract, which runs until December 1st, following Tuesday night's 3-0 friendly win in Romania.

 

“I stop because I think it's time for another generation,” the 70-year-old said in a statement released on the association's website.

 



“I have no doubt, it's time for younger people. It's time for them to show it.”

 

Advocaat had two previous stints in charge of his national side, from 1992 to 1994 and from 2002 to 2004.

 

He guided them to the quarter finals of the 1994 World Cup and the semi finals of the 2004 European Championships, which took place in the Netherlands and Belgium.

 



Advocaat took the reins of the national side for a third time in May of this year following the sacking of Danny Blind.

 

Despite winning four of the five remaining qualifying games – the exception being a 4-0 defeat in France – he couldn't guide the side to second place.

 

During a 33-year management career, Advocaat has led the national teams of the UAE, South Korea, Belgium, Russia and Serbia.

 

He led South Korea at the 2006 World Cup, narrowly missing out on the knockout stages, before steering Russia to Euro 2012, beating the Republic of Ireland home and away in qualifying.