van Basten admits axing blunder
Friday, October 06, 2006

DUTCH coach Marco Van Basten has admitted his lack of communication may have cost him two valuable players for the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Now Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mark van Bommel have cast a shadow over Holland's matches, with Bulgaria on Sunday and Albania next Thursday, by refusing recalls to the squad.

Bayern Munich's Van Bommel, selected for the first time since the World Cup finals, said he would not play as long as Marco van Basten is coach.

"Van Bommel called me and made it clear that he was no longer available. He was so determined that it was no use trying to persuade him," said Van Basten overnight.

The coach also approached Real Madrid's Van Nistelrooy to replace the injured Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

"Ruud and I spoke with each other but could find no basis for further co-operation," said Van Basten.

Van Basten said he has not ruled out a return for the striker in the long term.

Van Basten admitted that, had he phoned the pair when he initially dropped them, he might have been able to prevent the breakdown in the relationship.

For the match with Bulgaria, Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt will be the central striker, with Chelsea's Arjen Robben and in-form Arsenal forward Robin van Persie on the wings in a starting line-up likely to include seven English Premier League players.

The Sofia match will be the first serious test for the Dutch, who have beaten Luxemburg and Belarus in Group G games so far.

Discuss in: Forum | Message board