Van Basten announces Dutch departure

Marco van Basten will stand down as coach of the Netherlands at the end of UEFA EURO 2008™.

'Big challenge'
Van Basten and his assistant John van't Schip, who is also leaving his role, revealed their decision during a meeting with the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) on Tuesday. "When [UEFA] EURO 2008™ ends, we will have been working with the Dutch national team for four years," said Van Basten in a statement on the KNVB website. "After the 2006 [FIFA] World Cup, we see this upcoming championship as a big challenge. After four years it will be time for a change of scene, however."

No plans
The 43-year-old, who replaced Dick Advocaat after UEFA EURO 2004™, has yet to make plans for life after the Netherlands, and is focusing instead on a successful tournament next summer in Austria and Switzerland. "Although John and myself really have no idea what the future holds for us, it was our duty to inform the KNVB, who have always been a good employer for us, on time," said Van Basten. "The KNVB now has enough time to search for a new coach. For us, it is not time to look back, though, because together with the players we are concentrating on next summer's tournament."

'A pity'
"I think it is a pity, but I appreciate that they have informed us on time," said KNVB director Henk Kesler. "We now have time to work towards finding a successor. Marco and John will fully focus on preparing the team for the tournament in the months ahead." Under Van Basten's tutelage, the Netherlands reached the last 16 of the World Cup in Germany, where they bowed out to Portugal. The Oranje finished in second place in qualifying Group G for UEFA EURO 2008™ behind Romania, whom they will also face in June alongside France and Italy following Sunday's draw.