Frank de Boer quits as Netherlands head coach

Frank de Boer: "In anticipation of the evaluation, I have decided not to continue as national coach." - Foto: KNVB Media

Following talks between Netherlands head coach Frank de Boer and senior KNVB officials at the association’s headquarters in Zeist, the two parties have decided to part company. De Boer announced that he does not want to continue as head coach following his team’s exit from Euro 2020 at the first knockout stage. His decision is in line with the contract he signed with the KNVB, in which a place in the quarterfinals was a key requirement. That contract will therefore not be renewed.

Frank de Boer: "In anticipation of the evaluation of the tournament, I have decided not to continue as national coach. Our goal has not been achieved, that is clear. When I was approached to become the national coach back in 2020, I considered it to be both an honour and a challenge, but I was also aware of the pressure that I would be facing from the moment I was appointed."

"That pressure is now only increasing, and that is not a healthy situation for me, nor for the national squad in the run-up to yet another important game for Dutch football as we resume our World Cup qualifying campaign. I want to thank everyone, first and foremost the fans and the players, of course. My compliments also to KNVB management, who have created a top-class sporting climate here at the Campus in Zeist."

The aim: a better result at the Euros

KNVB director Nico-Jan Hoogma: "Despite all Frank's efforts, the target of reaching at least the quarter-finals has not been achieved. Under our agreement, failure to meet this goal meant that we would evaluate the situation, which may have led to a different outcome. We had aimed for a better result at the Euros, but it just didn’t happen."

"Our choice of Frank to lead the national squad turned out differently than we had hoped for. I must now find a successor, after proper internal consultation. This is urgent, because we have a key qualification match coming up against Norway in Oslo on 1 September. We will now continue our evaluation, with a wider scope than just the head coach. We will sharpen the profile and do the work that may be expected of us here.”

Also read: Euro 2020 is over for the Oranje