England National Football Team Match No. 786

Netherlands 1 England 1 [1-0]

Wednesday, 13 February 2002

Netherlands Pre-Match

Notes

Friday, 30 November 2001 - Louis van Gaal confirmed his resignation as national team coach effective 1 February 2002 following the Netherlands's failure to qualify for the World Cup 2002 final tournament.   He took over The Netherlands on 7 July 2000, soon after the European Championship 2000 final tournament.

Wednesday, 23 January 2002 - Legendary Dutch footballer Ruud Kroll was appointed temporary coach of the Netherlands national team and will be in charge for the friendly match against England on 13 February, the KNVB (Dutch football association) announced.  Kroll, an assistant coach with Ajax, had also served as an assistant to Louis van Gaal during his last month in charge of the national side.  However, the KNVB said it is still trying to persuade Glasgow Rangers director of football Dick Advocaat to take the job on a permanent basis.

Friday, 25 January 2002 - Dick Advocaat was appointed head coach of Netherlands national team effective 1 July.  Until recently Advocaat was manager of Glasgow Rangers, with whom he is now director of football, a role he will keep for at least another year until 1 July 2003 while serving as Netherlands coach on a part-time basis.  Advocaat will be assisted by former Feyenoord coach and Netherlands star footballer Willem van Hanegem and Rangers deputy manager Bert van Lingen,  the KNVB announced.  Advocaat will be given time off to participate in the four friendly matches Netherlands have scheduled before the summer, including that against England on 13 February.  It is Advocaat's second stint with the national side; he first served between 1992 and 1994, guiding Netherlands to the World Cup 1994 quarterfinals in the U.S.A.  In 1995 he became coach at PSV Eindhoven and moved to Rangers in 1998.  It is unclear whether Ruud Kroll, appointed caretaker coach of Netherlands just two days ago, will have a role with the national side.

Thursday, 7 February 2002 - Netherlands coaches Dick Advocaat and Willem van Hanegem announced a 19-player squad with a heavy British flavour to meet England next week.  It includes six players from English clubs and two from Glasgow Rangers.

Unavailable for selection through injury or fitness concerns were Chelsea winger Boudewijn Zenden (35 caps, 6 goals, Rangers defender Arthur Numan (43/0), PSV Eindhoven defender Kevin Hofland (6/0), Internazionale midfielder Clarence Seedorf (59/10), Feyenoord forward Pierre van Hooijdonk (28/10) and Willem II midfielder Denny Landzaat (4/0).  The most notable absentee is Jaap Stam, who tested positive for the banned drug nandralone and is serving a suspension given worldwide effect by FIFA yesterday. 

____________________

PY/CG