Ruud praise for Van Basten
Ruud van Nistelrooy has hailed the impact made by coach Marco van Basten.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has hailed the impact made by Marco van Basten since his appointment as Holland's national team coach in 2004.The former Dutch international striker took over from Dick Advocaat after Euro 2004 and guided Holland to an unbeaten World Cup qualification campaign.
One of the biggest changes made by van Basten is the replacement of veteran players such as midfielders Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf with younger stars like Hedwiges Maduro and Ryan Babel.
Van Nistelrooy has been impressed by the quality of van Basten's selections, especially Ajax's Maduro, who the Manchester United striker claims is improving every time he sees him.
"Once he [van Basten] came, a revolution took place," van Nistelrooy told Sky Sports.
"80 percent of the team was older, now 80 percent are youngsters he's brought in but quality wise I think they're very good.
"Maudro is a very young player but very very mature in his play and in his game, he has many more talents that impress me every time in training."
Van Nistelrooy has urged a fast start from his Holland team mates in Germany this summer after being drawn in the tournament's toughest group alongside Argentina, Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro.
With a large number of Dutch supporters expected to flock to Germany, the 29-year-old wants Oranje to start fast as they bid to qualify from Group C.
"They're three fantastic teams we have to face in the group phase so already there's no easy games," he added.
"We can't afford to slip up or start slowly so we want to prepare for a flying start because we have to.
"Playing in Germany, which is right beside Holland means we will be the best supported team after Germany."
