The Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has said that the former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard is the perfect man for the Dutch national team manager job. The Netherlands managed to go all the way in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, but lost in the match to Spain. As a result, they were coming into the Euro 2012 with a lot of expectations. Players like Robin van Persie were in the prime and were also in extremely good form. However, they managed to suffered three defeats in the three group matches to exit the competition in the group stages itself.

Following the embarrassing into the tournament, the Dutch manager Bert van Marwijk offered his resignation from the post. The Dutch football Association are currently looking at the various managers to appoint as the replacement. The former Dutch international Johan Cruyff has said that the football Association need not look beyond the former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard, who is probably the perfect man to lead the nation to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Some of the senior members of the squad like Robin van Persie will be passed their prime during this World Cup. However, Johan Cruyff believes that Rijkaard can handle the egos within the team.

“Rijkaard has shown he dares to make radical choices when needed. The Dutch team must start again with a new staff and changes in the squad. Regarding the latter: it should be a mix of current internationals and younger talent. This process requires a lot of work to be performed by someone accustomed to this level, including some painful decisions. You must be looked up to as a coach and respected,” Cruyff said in interview given to the Voetbal International. Frank Rijkaard is the national team manager of Saudi Arabia, and has excellent international experience.