The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) have sacked manager Danny Blind following the weekend’s World Cup Qualifier defeat to Bulgaria.
The Netherlands find themselves in fourth place in Group A, six points behind leaders France and three behind second-placed Sweden and the run of form of the national team under Blind has forced the Dutch FA’s hand.
The former defender’s 20-month reign as manager came to an end and it’s understood that the Netherlands Under-21 coach, Fred Grim, will be in charge for Tuesday’s home friendly against Italy.
What the dismissal also does is bring a close to the working relationship of father and son, as Daley Blind comes to terms with the fact that his dad is no longer his manager.
The Blind partnership was in effect at Ajax, where Danny was assistant manager as his son rose through the ranks before he moved to Manchester United.
And it was rekindled in the national team when Danny was named as Guus Hiddink’s successor in 2015.
But after failing to bring the Netherlands to Euro 2016 and struggling in qualification to next year’s World Cup, Danny Blind has been relieved of his duties.
And Daley is pretty broken up about it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSHasnngGSq/?taken-by=blinddaley
“Working together as father and son at top level was a dream that came true,” he wrote on Instagram.
“You never walked away from your responsibilities and you never gave up. I’m proud of you.”
Oh these? They’re not tears. We’ve just got sweaty cheeks.
