Van Marwijk denies Kuyt rift

Holland boss happy with striker's attitude

Last updated: 9th September 2008

bert van marwijk feyenoord manager

Van Marwijk: Happy with Kuyt

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Holland boss Bert van Marwijk has rubbished talk of a rift with striker Dirk Kuyt.

The Liverpool man has been left out of the starting line-up for Holland's opening World Cup qualifier against Macedonia on Wednesday.

Kuyt has expressed his disappointment in the media, branding it 'unacceptable' and insisting that he should be in the side.

"I have to be on the team," Kuyt told Sportweek magazine.

"I just want to play and think that I should play. I'm going to make sure I'm going to play.

"I will not be resigned to my fate, and will never accept my role as 12th man. Being a substitute is unacceptable to me."

No problem

Van Marwijk has responded to the outburst by stating that there is no problem between player and coach.

He can understand Kuyt's frustration and has paid tribute to the 28-year-old for having the right attitude.

"Those words are really aimed at himself," Van Marwijk told Voetbal International.

"Dirk just looks in the mirror and wants to get more out of his career. He demands a starting place from himself, not from me. That only means that he is a good sportsman.

"Not a single coach benefits from reserves who think it's fine to sit on the bench. Every player must have the ambition to win a starting place.

"As coach, you can only be happy about that kind of player."

Poorer quality

Van Marwijk also agreed with Kuyt's assertion that the quality of football at international level 'is not as high' as that found at club level.

"Dirk is of course completely right that the level of training at top European teams is higher," Van Marwijk conceded.

"But that is logical, isn't it?

"The club team consists of only internationals, and they come together on the training pitch each day.

"That is a luxury you don't have with the national team, so it is normal that the level is lower."