Van Bommel shines in Belgium while Netherlands' candidacy stays silent
Mark van Bommel has recently become the new national team coach of Belgium, but the potential Orange candidate remains invisible at the KNVB, something that Ruud Gullit and Theo Janssen find striking. Their criticism focuses on the fact that the assistant coach has never been mentioned, while Van Bommel recently recorded successes with the Red Lions.
Gullit and Janssen on the Orange candidacy
Ruud Gullit stated during that he had not heard Van Bommel’s name among the candidates for the Orange national team coaching job. He said: “There (in Belgium, ed.) he is indeed a man. I am pleased. The way he played against Italy has brought a lot of admiration. “I like that he started like that.” He added: “That is not fair. He shows that he is simply a good coach.”
Van Bommel began his Belgian stint with a victory over Italy, but suffered a 0‑1 defeat to France on Monday evening. Speaking to VTM he expressed disappointment about the late equaliser and said: “This match is decided by a detail, just like the one against Spain. That is where we also have to go. Only it may take some time. We have only been on the road for a week, right.”
France make nine changes, Belgium limit the turnover
The contrast between the praise in Belgium and the silence at the KNVB underscores that Van Bommel, despite positive results, still has to fight for recognition with the Orange.