Future for Dutch is certainly Clockwork Orange under Hiddink

New Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink, who returns for a second spell, inherits a very promising pool of players for the future from Louis van Gaal, as he looks to steer his nation to Euro 2016 success, where they are 10/1 fourth-favourites.

Clockwork Orange managed to upset the odds at the World Cup in Brazil by finishing third under Hiddink’s predecessor, and convincingly beat the likes of the hosts and pre-tournament favourites, as well as holders Spain along the way.

Hiddink was Netherlands national coach before for four years, with his first spell ending after the 1998 finals, following a penalty shoot-out loss to Brazil in the semis. The former Real Madrid and temporary Chelsea boss also lead the Dutch to the quarters at Euro 96 in England, and is a man with plenty of experience and high respect. He also managed national sides South Korea, Australia, Russia and Turkey.

The Netherlands’ FA (KNVD) announced before the recent World Cup that Hiddink would succeed Van Gaal as head coach until after 2016 Euros in France, with Danny Blind to take over for the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. Blind, along with former Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy, will assist the 67-year-old for the next two years.

“I am honoured to return,” Hiddink said. “In Danny Blind and Ruud van Nistelrooy we have a solid team with a lot of football knowledge and experience, and naming a succession of managers in this way means the football vision of the Dutch team can be guaranteed in the long term.”

These really are exiting times for Clockwork Orange, who have finished second and third respectively in their last two World Cups, and they have a fantastic youthful side coming through, including many who shone brightly in Brazil.

The likes of national mainstays Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder (who are all 30 years old) are expected to decline over the next couple of years, and will almost certainly be too old to go to the next World Cup. However, if you take them out of the squad that went to Brazil, as well as Dirk Kuyt and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, then outfield players have an average age of just over 24.

Those include the likes of Defenders Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi (both 22), Daley Blind (24) and Daryl Janmaat (25), who all featured heavily in the recent World Cup. Van Gaal’s backline only conceded four times in seven games, and it seems the Netherlands may finally have a solid defence, and one for many years. Youngsters Joel Veltman (22) and Terence Kongolo (20) also went to the finals.