Football
ESPN staff 8y

Dick Advocaat quits Netherlands for Fenerbahce, Danny Blind unhappy

The Dutch FA (KNVB) has confirmed that Dick Advocaat has left his role as Netherlands assistant coach to take charge at Fenerbahce, with head coach Danny Blind saying he is "shocked and disappointed."

Advocaat, who left Sunderland last year, has twice managed Netherlands in the past and agreed to return to the national team as Blind's assistant in May, but the KNVB announced on its website on Monday morning that the 68-year-old had "indicated he is going to work somewhere else."

Fenerbahce finally confirmed on Monday that Vitor Pereira had been dismissed and Advocaat has told Dutch radio station NOS that he will now take charge at the Turkish club, saying: "At my age it is a fantastic challenge."

Blind told the KNVB's website: "I am shocked and disappointed. When I approached Dick last year to be assistant, he gave me the impression he wanted to do it for a long term.

"But anyway, there is no point in standing still, we have to carry on. From now on what is important is our upcoming matches against Greece and Sweden."

Netherlands technical director Hans van Breukelen said he was "unpleasantly surprised" by the news and added: "We now focus on the search for a replacement."

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