Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Dreaded Vote Maybe Not Enough for Bert


Bert van Marwijk is fighting to keep his job, with the under-fire Holland coach facing the axe following their disastrous Euro 2012 campaign.

The disappointing Dutch failed to win a single game in Group B, soundly beaten by Denmark, Germany and Portugal to confirm their unexpected early elimination from the tournament.

The inquest has begun as to why one of the pre-finals favourites and 2010 World Cup finalists crashed out before the last eight, with Van Marwijk the man called to blame.

Now Van Marwijk, whose deal runs until 2016, must convince an unhappy Dutch FA that he is the man to lead the team to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

However, he faces the sack amid reports that his relationship with key players has deteriorated beyond all repair.

Dutch football chief Bert van Oostveen will hold talks with Van Marwijk within the next fortnight and will decide the 60-year-old's fate ahead of their August 15 friendly against Belgium.

'The performance was unworthy of the orange shirt in terms of results,' Van Oostveen said. 

'But it is not for nothing that we recently extended his contract until 2016.

'I cannot get into it too much so soon after the game. But I have received no signal that Van Marwijk wants to stop. The question is whether Bert is the man who can turn this situation around.'

Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart believes Van Marwijk should not be sacked, while Wesley Sneijder believes he should be allowed to continue.

'He should remain in charge,' said Van der Vaart.

'He has not signed a contract for so long for nothing. I’m not going to kick a man when he is down.'

Sneijder added: 'We have all failed together and you cannot just blame the coach.

'I think he definitely has a future with the national team.'


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