Ruud Gullit hopes Holland will thrive at this summer's World Cup after being overlooked as potential winners.
Dutch legend keen to see the class of 2010 shine in South Africa
Ruud Gullit hopes Holland will thrive at this summer's World Cup after being overlooked by many as potential winners.
The Dutch are undoubtedly among a select group of countries that are capable of going all the way in South Africa, but few have tipped them for the top prize.
That lack of expectation could work in their favour as they will set out on their quest for global glory without the added pressure which will accompany the favourites.
Gullit, who helped Holland to European Championship success in 1988, believes the Dutch are capable of claiming a first world crown and feels they will revel in their underdog role.
He told
skysports.com at the launch of the Budweiser Prediction Panel: "It is good that they don't mention us, it is better coming from an underdog position. Going in with expectations puts you in a very dangerous position.
"We have a good team. We know that. Sometimes for us it is about confidence, because people always ask us why we have never won the World Cup. For a country like Holland, that is very small, it is difficult but we are very proud of our achievements.
"We have a good team now, especially from midfield going forward. But our problem has always been that we want to play well to win. We also need to learn how to win 1-0."
Technique
Any hope Holland have of emerging on top is likely to rest on their ability to bring the best out of the likes of Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, the latest in a long line of talented ball players to emerge through the famed Dutch ranks.
"It is part of the fabric of how we train our players," said Gullit on a structure with continues to churn out world-class performers.
"It is all about technique, it is all about awareness on the pitch. We like our kids to play on small pitches, playing six against six, so they have a lot of touches of the ball.
"It is also about our interpretation of the game, because we love to play 4-3-3. We don't play 4-5-1 because we believe in wingers, even though it is difficult to have wingers nowadays. A player like Arjen Robben is a good example of a player who could have an impact from that position. Wesley Sneijder will play more in a role behind the strikers and that is another position that we have always tried to push in Holland.
"We are very proud of the way we develop players. It is not THE way but it is our way of getting players for the future."
While Gullit is looking forward to being a spectator at this summer's event, he has recently agreed to head up a joint bid from Holland and Belgium to host the showpiece occasion in 2018.
Proud
The two nations worked together to put on a successful European Championship in 2000 and they believe they are now ready to stage the greatest show in sport.
Gullit said: "We are very proud of our project. We have pitched our plans to Fifa and we are doing very well, we are very happy with what we can offer. Holland and Belgium are ready.
"We have organised a European Championship before and it was very successful. We hope that, with most tournaments organised by big countries, that we will be given an opportunity to show that we can host a World Cup.
"We have done the Euros before and I think Holland and Belgium can do it. I think the big advantage we have is that we are so compact. There is only about an hour between the different stadiums, so it would be better for the fans."
Who knows, by then Gullit may even be preparing to stake a claim for World Cup glory himself, with the former Chelsea and Newcastle boss admitting he would welcome the opportunity to coach his country in the future.
"It would be the chance to work with the best of the best, so it is something that could happen," he said.
