The search begins: "The trophy hunter for the Orange Squad"

It appears that Slot has rejected KNVB and will remain focus to European club football… wow, what a huge blow for the Oranje NT.

With Ten Haag and Bosz were already ruled out, the next man up is the totally incompetent Reiziger. This could turn into a dark period for the NT… hopefully it will be short-lived, 2 years max until the next Euro, when either Bosz or Slot becomes available again.

 

An article about the search. There are not many managers that are interested in this job, and for a while Netherlands are not producing talented managers and talented players like before. It is very sad to see. I have no confidence in Reizinger which appears to be the front runner now, but that just based on his U21 record. I don't know if it is true that KNVB wants a manager for 4 years (the continuity to World Cup after Euro) while Slot only wants 2 years as he prefers to go back to manage club (like Koeman's 1st time). It is possible that the team will fail to qualify for Euro like in 2016. I think it is time for a non Dutch manager, maybe 1 of Zlatko Dalic, Murat Yakin or Rudi Garcia although there is no guarantee either.

 

What is this for strange link? @Orange14

 

Nigel de Jong not contacting Bosz earlier in the Summer (before he signed extension at PSV) turned to be a huge blunder. Bosz (who was interested) should have been kept informed as a back up option (a very good one, I must add) just in case Koeman failed miserably in the WC, which unfortunately he did. Now the incompetent Nigel de Jong and KNVB will have no choice to desperately appoint Reiziger, who has no credibility whatsoever to manage Oranje NT. Sad and laughable.

This feels to me like Marco van Basten’s appointment in 2004 all over again. Inexperienced and clueless head coach managing squad with big personalities. Ironically, Reiziger quit Oranje NT altogether after being left out in Van Basten’s first squad selection. And then there was drama of Seedorf and Van Nilstelrooy refusing to play under Van Basten.

Buckle up people! Bumpy road ahead…

 

I don't know how reliable it is but it is an opinion about this search.

 

Some outlets are reporting that Van Gaal is open to return to the Oranje NT helmet.

He is not the most ideal solution, due to his age and health condition (though he claims he’s back to full health), but IMHO he is a much better stopgap than Reiziger (who undoubtedly would take Oranje to obscurity!)

In two years, one of Bosz or Slot can take over.

 

If KNVB has to hire Van Gaal the 4th time it is sad. He may be better than Reiziger but winning Euro is a long shot. One can only hope he brings younger players to the squad. Need to change KNVB first. You need the foundation before the roof.

 

This team does not have quality to play 4-3-3 all the times like Spain, France or Argentina. To succeed they may have to play fluidly, probably back to 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 vs strong team and play 4-3-3 vs weak team. Just don't play like vs Morocco is already a positive step. Let's see if KNVB goes back to Van Gaal. Definitely he make a record of history of national team football manager if he is selected the 4th time. Might as well give him no end date contract and just terminate when a desired candidate is available . Any thoughts about Jan-Dirk "Dick" Schreuder, current NEC manager?

 

Quality without results is useless (JC). Fun to watch but cannot win title. Maybe they can improvise or adapt a bit, a tweak here or there in defense.

 

Paolo Maldini interview with @Corriere

He talked in detail behind the scenes of probing the ground for Guardiola & Ancelotti as CT & what happened with the Pirlo “case” that changed everything that eventually led to him to his decision of resignation with FIGC👀 pic.twitter.com/ejfkx0UqWv

— AzzurriXtra🇮🇹 (@XtraAzzurri) August 9, 2026

https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/guardiola-wees-italie-op-cruijff-filosofie
https://www.corriere.it/cronache/26...-b4d1-450a-aea3-61086cdcaxlk.shtml?refresh_ce

Missed chance for Oranje, if money was really not a problem.

 

My understanding is that Guardiola wanted crazy money if he was to be Manager of Italy, but he really is intent on taking a break.
No words regarding any conversation with Nigel De Jong, Seedorf, or ANY KNVB figure that I’ve read about.

 

A (surprising) new name popped out… Roberto Martinez Supposedly an admirer of Johan Cruyff’s footballing philosophy (also has warm relationship with Jordi).

Recent manager of Portugal NT, and led the “golden generation” of Belgium NT (with unfortunately nothing to show).

It seems like Reiziger is falling off the orbit… the longer this process drags. Which is good in and itself

 

If Reiziger was just kept in the air to make a left-field choice more acceptable, well played.

Xavi Hernandez is the first foreign head coach since Ernst Happel in 1978 (who by the way was sidetracked halfway the tournament).

 

It is time for a non Dutch coach. Not sure how it turns out but it is worth the risk.