Declining Dutch give Blind the boot

AMSTERDAM - Danny Blind was fired as Netherlands coach on Sunday after a 2-0 loss to Bulgaria left the team's chances of reaching the World Cup finals hanging by the thinnest of threads.

Blind, 55, had been in charge since July 2015, succeeding Guus Hiddink, but Saturday's loss in Sofia left the Dutch in fourth place in qualifying Group A, six points behind leader France.

Only the group winner is guaranteed a place at next year's finals in Russia.

"We were on the right track in Bulgaria, but it's a pity that it ends like this," said Blind.

Blind's assistant Fred Grim will take charge of the team for Tuesday's friendly against Italy in Amsterdam, the Dutch football federation (KNVB) said.

"We (the federation) have a lot of respect for Danny, but due to negative results and the difficulty we have to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, we must part company with him," said a KNVB statement.

The Netherlands, three-time World Cup runner-up, also failed to qualify for Euro 2016.

Failure to qualify for Russia next year, on the back of failure to reach the 2016 Euro finals, would be a major shock for one of the most successful soccer nations.

The Netherlands lost the 2010 World Cup final to Spain, and finished third in the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

"To qualify for Russia will be very complicated," said Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

Captain Arjen Robben said the loss in Sofia was a "nightmare".

"It's sad. I'm speechless. The first half was shocking," said the 33-year-old Bayern Munich winger.

Bulgaria stunned the Dutch with a pair of goals from Spas Delev in the first 20 minutes.

The first was the result of an error by 17-year-old Matthijs de Ligt, the Netherlands' youngest debutant since 1931, who misjudged a pass, allowing Delev a clear shot.

Blind said he "did not balk" at selecting De Ligt, but after the match he questioned whether he was still the man for the job.

"I have to reflect on whether I am capable of getting us out of this jam," Blind said.

Dutch newspapers pronounced the defeat a "debacle".

Agence France-Presse