Van Breukelen quits as Dutch technical director

THE HAGUE: Hans van Breukelen (pic) announced he is stepping down as the technical director of the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) after a sometimes rocky 13 months in the job.

“I am leaving with a good feeling, because I know I have been working hard to achieve our goals,” Van Breukelen said in a statement on the KNVB website.

He leaves on Aug 1 just weeks before key matches as the Dutch national team battle for a place in next year’s World Cup Finals in Russia.

Van Breukelen admitted however he remained “selfcritical” saying: “I have not succeeded in fulfilling mine and our ambitions, and from that I draw my own conclusions.”

The KNVB’s commercial director JeanPaul Decossaux said it was “a pity” that Van Breukelen was going, but the KNVB respected his decision.

Van Breukelen had come under pressure over the replacement of former coach Danny Blind who was sacked after Bulgaria defeated Holland 20 in March in a key World Cup qualifier.

The Dutch have now moved up to third spot in Group A, with Sweden taking top place ahead of France, after reversing their fortunes under new coach Dick Advocaat with a stunning 50 win over Luxembourg earlier this month.

But under Van Breukelen’s watch Holland failed to qualify for Euro 2016 in France and then sank in Group A after their shock defeat by Bulgaria.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, the Dutch remain hopeful of snatching a seat in Russia with upcoming qualifiers against France in Paris on Aug 31, and Bulgaria on Sept 3.