Much to the amusement of many other nations in Europe, our national team has a history of self-destructing, due to ego clashes amongst players and discord with coaches. One of the most famous incidents took place during the European Championships in 1996, when coach Guus Hiddink sent star midfielder Edgar Davids home after a dispute.
That is just one example of Dutch stars not keeping their emotions in check. That very same Davids also got into a locker-room dust-up with then PSV-captain Mark van Bommel in 2003.
During the reign of Marco van Basten as the national coach Van Bommel, Davids, Clarence Seedorf, and Ruud van Nistelrooy all had disputes regarding their spot in the squad or on the pitch.
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Van Persie took a free kick that Sneijder wanted during the Netherlands' 3-1 quarterfinals loss to Russia during last summers European Championship, that ousted the Dutch from the European Cup tournament.
The free kick was awarded late in the game with Russia ahead 1-0. Although the free kick was missed, Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised soon after to send the match into extra time. Russia then scored twice to progress to the semifinals, where it lost to eventual winner Spain.
Sneijder, never afraid to stir up commotion, had this to say: "From the first practise game, I've been designated as the man who takes free kicks and no one else is supposed to touch the ball."
Yet another incident involving Sneijder, who has had incidental clashes with other players in the past, including Philip Cocu, Mark van Bommel, and, ironically enough, his current team-mate Rafael van der Vaart.
Van Persie took the more sensible approach and his response was more polite: "I expected more class from Wesley". Van Persie continued, saying he would have been willing to talk to Sneijder—but won't now that the matter has been made public.
Van Basten, the national coach back when this started, has declined to comment. His successor Van Marwijk has called both of them up for the international games against Iceland and Norway. Fans are fearing the outcome of this row, which might split the national side once again.
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about 1 month ago
So your Dutch not German? oh. Well, in my opinion, the Dutch is one of the biggest underachievers in Europe. If they got their egos fixed, they'd do a lot better. Great article, Guido.
from about 1 month ago
Technically, I'm semi Irish and semi Dutch ;-) I do enjoy watching the German Bundesliga.
I'm afraid the team will never get their egos fixed, it's not in our nature. Dutch players are individualistic by nature. That's why we have so many talented creative forwards and midfielders, but always seem to be lacking in defensive midfielders and defenders.
We're destined to play attractive football, without ever winning prizes of any importance. I've already learned to come to terms with this fact.
Anyway, thanks for the compliment.
from about 1 month ago
haha, what about Van der Sar? he has to count for something.
The Dutch do play attractive football. Unfortunately, the USA doesnt much or play attractive football.
from about 1 month ago
I'd prefer a tournament win or so with less attractive football, to be fair. We're currently the losers of Europa. Attractive football, but almost no trophies.
We never had a problem with training decent goalies, decent defenders however... The last defender we had who was world class, was Jaap Stam.
from about 1 month ago
true.
about 1 month ago
Its always been the way in Holland hasn't it. I heard that the squad often splits down club allegiances Ajax, PSV etc. Any truth in that?
from about 1 month ago
Used to be so back in the seventies and eighties. Currently, it's mainly about ego...
about 1 month ago
Sneijder sounds like a bit of a bighead through all of this. Van Persie would be laughing about him throwing his toys like that.
from about 1 month ago
Sneijder is a bit of an arrogant prick.
about 1 month ago
that's the problem with the dutch. everyone wonders why with so many big name players, they are always the underachievers. too many big name egos destroys dressing room morale. we all know that bad atmosphere = bad performance.
from about 1 month ago
Yup :-(
about 1 month ago
It's embarrassing for them that this kind of stuff gets out, really is.
from about 1 month ago
It's the kind of stuff that makes me wish I was born in Germany.
about 1 month ago
While every jumped on the "Holland will win the Euro cup" bandwagaon, after they had demolished Italy and France, I was probably the only one that still predicted them cock up.
Sneijder a big head..? I can name you at least 6 or 7 Dutch players with big heads...
Ironically, Holland and Spain have the same amount of trophies as Denmark (ONE).
from about 1 month ago
We've been rather unlucky in the past ('74, '78, '98, 2000)
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