Netherlands sacked Danny Blind as coach

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has confirmed the sack of Danny Blind as Netherlands head coach.

Ajax great Blind was appointed as Guus Hiddink’s successor midway through the Oranje’s ill-fated qualification bid for Euro 2016.

A chastening 2-0 loss to Bulgaria on Saturday left the beaten 2010 World Cup finalists facing the prospect of missing out on a second major tournament in succession.

Blind admitted his decision to select 17-year-old Ajax prospect Matthijs de Ligt for what turned out to be a nightmare debut in defence was an error and afterwards stated he would consider his future.

On Sunday, the 55-year-old’s employers made the decision for him.

“We have respect for what Danny did for us and for the team during his tenure,” KNVB director Jean Paul Decossaux said in a statement.

“But because the sporting results are unfortunately disappointing, and because qualifying for the World Cup in Russia is now in difficulty, we unfortunately, feel forced to relieve him.”