Euro 2020: Netherlands part ways with manager days after dramatic exit from tournament

Euro 2020: Netherlands part ways with manager days after dramatic exit from tournament

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:42 PM
  • De Boer was only appointed Netherlands boss in September last year
  • Depite a perfect record in Group C, Netherlands failed to advance past the last 16 in the Euro 2020
  • The Dutch manager, in a statement, announced he was stepping down, saying "the pressure was too much"

PAY ATTENTION: Help us change more lives, join TUKO.co.ke’s Patreon programme

Frank de Boer has parted ways with the Netherlands national side days after the dramatic exit from Euro 2020.

Euro 2020: Netherlands part ways with manager days after dramatic exit from tournament
De Boer's Netherlands were knocked out in the last 16 by Czech Republic on Sunday, June 17. Photo by ANP Sport.
Source: Getty Images

Despite a promising start to the tournament which saw the Netherlands go through the group stage with a perfect record, they fell to a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Czech Republic in the last 16.

The Dutch FA on Tuesday, June 29 released the following statement confirming the exit of de Boer:

"After consultations in Zeist between Nico-Jan Hoogma, Eric Gudde, Frank de Boer and his agent Guido Albers this afternoon, it has been decided that both parties will separate with immediate effect.
"De Boer has announced that he does not want to continue, which is also in line with the contract between both parties, which required a place in the quarter-finals.
"That contract will not be renewed."

The former Inter Milan and Crystal Palace manager only replaced Ronald Koeman last summer when the latter decided to take on the Barcelona assignment.

According to a report from Sky Sport, De Boer would have had his contract as Netherlands manager renewed if he at least guided his side to the quarter-final but he instead decided to walk away after the last 16 disappointments.

"In anticipation of the evaluation, I have decided not to continue as national coach," De Boer said via a KNVB statement. "The goal has not been achieved, that is clear.
"That pressure is only increasing now, and that is not a healthy situation for me, nor for the squad in the run-up to such important matches for Dutch football on their way to World Cup qualification." De Boer's statement went on.

Having been appointed in September last year, De Boer became the first Dutch manager to fail to win any of his first four matches in charge.

At the Euro 2020 however, his side, thanks to a golden generation, was tipped as one of the dark horses in the tournament and they lived up to the hype in Group C, beating Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia.

Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
Tags
World