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Danny Blind takes over as Netherlands coach as Guus Hiddink quits

Image: Guus Hiddink: Has been heavily criticised since taking over the national team for a second time

Guus Hiddink has quit as coach of the Netherlands less than one year after succeeding Louis van Gaal.

The 68-year-old has handed control of the Dutch national team to his assistant Danny Blind with the team third in their European qualifying group and facing the possibility of a play-off tie to qualify for next year's tournament in France. 

Blind was originally slated to take over after Euro 2016, but after finishing third at the 2014 World Cup, Hiddink's team have since won just four times in 10 games and sit five points behind leaders Iceland and three adrift of the Czech Republic in Group A.

They lost to lost to both teams in September and October last year and also dropped points at home to Turkey in March.

The Dutch reached the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup in France during Hiddink's first spell in charge.

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Guus Hiddink has left his role as Netherlands coach after taking over last year

"I am sorry it went this way," Hiddink said on the KNVB's official website.

"I thought it was an honour to again coach the Dutch national team and I wish my successor, the staff and the players every success on the way to the European Championships in France."

KNVB director Bert van Oostveen said: "I regret this development. Unfortunately, the results of Guus' work were not immediately visible for everyone. We thank Guus for his efforts."

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