Monday 15 August 2016 12:04, UK
Dick Advocaat has left Danny Blind "surprised and disappointed" after announcing he will be leaving his position as Netherlands assistant coach to join Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Advocaat joined the Blind and the Dutch coaching team in May, having previously served as head coach of Sunderland until October 2015.
In a statement, the Dutch FA (KNVD) confirmed the news saying the 68-year-old had "indicated he is going to work somewhere else."
His abrupt departure has elicited a cold response from Blind as well as technical director, Hans van Breukelen, as the Netherlands' World Cup qualifier with Sweden is less than a month away,
Blind about the departure: "I am surprised and disappointed. When I approached Dick in the spring, he gave me the impression that he was in it for the long haul.
"Anyway, it does not make sense to give it too much thought. From now on we have to apply ourselves only the matches against Greece and Sweden. There is work to do."
Van Breukelen responded to the news: "I am unpleasantly surprised. Of course I know the football world and I know that such matters can happen. We focus now on the search for a replacement. "
Advocaat later told Dutch NOS radio he was planning a move to Turkey.
"I am keen to work at such a big club in Turkey. At my age it is a fantastic challenge," Advocaat said.
