Football
9y

Guus Hiddink 'to quit' as Netherlands coach if Dutch lose to Latvia

Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink says it would "make sense" to hand in his resignation if the Dutch to Latvia in next week's Euro 2016 qualifying match in Amsterdam.

Hiddink is off to a dismal start since taking over from Louis van Gaal, who led Netherlands to third place at the World Cup in Brazil. Hiddink has suffered defeats to Czech Republic and Iceland in the first three qualifiers to leave the Oranje in third place in Group A. They also lost a friendly to Italy.

"If we lose, it makes sense that I leave," Hiddink told a news conference on Friday.

Hiddink is currently in his second spell at Dutch head coach, having led them to the semifinals of the World Cup in 1998, where they lost to Brazil on penalties.

The 67-year-old has included in-form defenders Jetro Willems and Ricardo van Rhijn, of PSV Eindhoven and Ajax, respectively, for the Latvia clash on Nov. 16 as well as a friendly against Mexico four days earlier.

Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar makes his return after missing Netherlands' last qualifiers due to injury but Queens Park Rangers midfielder Leroy Fer and Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk were omitted.

It is the first call-up of the year for wing backs Willems of PSV Eindhoven and Van Rhijn of Ajax.

Hiddink is trying to shore up a defence that has repeatedly conceded early goals while also sticking to his attacking philosophy. 

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Kenneth Vermeer (Feyenoord)

Defenders: Bruno Martins Indi (FC Porto), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio), Gregory van der Wiel (Paris Saint-Germain), Jetro Willems (PSV)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (Olympiakos), Daley Blind (Manchester United), Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Luciano Narsingh (PSV), Robin van Persie (Manchester United), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moskow), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

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