Danny Blind dismissed as Netherlands coach

Danny Blind has been dismissed as Netherlands coach in the wake of Saturday's 2-0 loss to Bulgaria in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) professional football director Jean-Paul Decossaux and technical director Hans van Breukelen met with Blind on Sunday following his return from Sofia, where the Oranje slipped to fourth in Group A behind France, Sweden and Bulgaria.

"We have respect for what Danny did for us and for the team during his tenure," said Decossaux. "But because the results unfortunately are disappointing, and as now it looks difficult to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, we feel unfortunately he has to take his leave."

Blind took over from Guus Hiddink in July 2015 but was unable to save the Netherlands' UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying bid. The 1988 UEFA European Championship winners are now in danger of missing two major tournaments in a row for the first time since 1986.

Blind said: "We were on the right track. Bulgaria away was an accident in my opinion. I've put my all into it. It's a shame it ends like this."

Assistant and under-21 coach Fred Grim will now take caretaker charge for Tuesday's friendly against Italy in Amsterdam, with the Netherlands facing their next European Qualifier at home to Luxembourg on 9 June.