De Boer fears Netherlands disaster
Former Netherlands assistant Frank de Boer believes it would be a disaster for the Dutch if they fail to qualify for Euro 2016.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j6dvmtT6sJ5QWoVzypXRHM.jpg)
Ajax coach Frank de Boer says it would feel like a disaster if the Netherlands were to fail to qualify for Euro 2016.
The Dutch sit fourth in Group A and will only qualify for the play-offs if they win their remaining two games and third-placed Turkey drop points along the way.
Danny Blind's national team travel to face Kazakhstan on Saturday, before hosting the Czech Republic three days later and De Boer has stressed that failing to turn things around would be comparable to their inability to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
"We have quality players to beat Iceland, to beat Turkey. I don't want to call it a disaster, but it feels like it," De Boer told Omnisport.
"We had a little bit the same in 1998. We reached the semi-final of the World Cup, we reached the semi-final of the European Championship in Holland. We were very disappointed we didn't reach the final with the penalty shoot-out against Italy.
"Then you have one month off and then you have to start the qualifying games. And before you realise it, you're five points down.
"We had the same in qualifying for Japan and Korea, we had the same experience. We played against Ireland and Portugal at home and we lost five points, we lost and we drew, and we never got over that.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"Maybe we weren't focused enough to be ready for that tournament. If you drop points at the beginning against Iceland then the pressure gets higher and higher. I think that's maybe the biggest reason."
The Netherlands last failed to qualify for the European Championship in 1984, only to win the tournament four years later.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack