Netherlands coach Marco van Basten will step down after the
Euro 2008 finals, the Dutch FA (KNVB) said on Tuesday. Van Basten
and his assistant John van't Schip will not extend their contracts
which expire on June 30.
"After the World Cup finals last year we considered the coming Euro
finals as a new challenge and after four years it will be time to
work in a new environment," Van Basten was quoted as saying in a
Dutch FA statement.
"John and I have no idea what the future will bring us but it was
our duty to inform the KNVB, a good employer, in time."
Van Basten succeeded Dick Advocaat in July 2004 and guided the
Dutch side through an unbeaten 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.
At last year's finals the Netherlands lost to Portugal in the first
knockout stage.
The Dutch qualified for the finals of Euro 2008 as group runners-up
behind Romania and have been handed a tough assignment in Austria
and Switzerland. They will play in Group C along with world
champions Italy, France and Romania.
