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SCOOP: Letter from Edgar Davids: Van Basten lacks class and decency!

July 5th, 2006 | By: Jan | 26 Comments »

This letter by Edgar Davids has just been published in Dutch football weekly VI.

Edgar was prompted to write this letter after an infamous press conference. When a journalist asked Van Basten why he hadn’t selected Davids, for his tackling abilities in midfield, van Basten had answered: “Jan Wouters was a great defensive midfielder as well. But I didn’t select him. He is from another era…”
Davids was not happy with this personal attack and this is his reaction.

“Recently, Marco van Basten thought it necessary to say some negative things about me in the media, to justify his mistakes. Normally, I would never react to publications by the team manager, but this time I feel compelled to react, since I think he has crossed the border of decency and respect. Van Basten lacks class, as we have learned from the recent past, when he openly critisized and bullied another international who has a very succesful international career. A national team manager should be beyond that kind of stuff.

I did have my doubts about some decisions by van Basten, but obviously, I voiced these only in a small group of people. I would never publically critisize the coach. However, now he is using – or abusing – me to justify his mistakes and I can’t just sit back and watch him do it. I even waited two days with my reaction to see if he would call me to explain his words or apologize, but I haven’t heard a thing.
I have worked with a number of top coaches: Louis van Gaal, Guus Hiddink, Fabio Capello, Lippi, Rijkaard and Jol. I participated in four major tournaments, played four (!) Champion League finals and played in the top of the three biggest leagues in the world (Italy, Spain, England). I therefore think I am capable of comparing the working method of Van Basten with other coaches and I think I am entitled to a personal opinion on the matter.

Van Basten choices seem to be driven by romanticism and idealism. But where was the realism? The weaknesses of Oranje were obviously a big surprise to him, but for many, particularly abroad, these weaknesses and flaws were very visible and predictable. But then, people abroad were not blinded by van Basten’s charm and charisma, but they just looked at the facts, the profiles of the players and the quality of the games Oranje played in the qualification. In most countries, pundits reacted with disbelief when they learned that van Basten was surprised that his team couldn’t stand up to Portugal, particularly given the players there were selected. And not selected.
A WC may never be used as a luxury trainingscamp for a less important event two years down the road. That’s ludicrous. How can supporters, sponsors and the media of a country that’s ranked number 3 on the FIFA rankinglist accept this nonsense? I know this ranking doesn’t tell the whole story, but at least it means Holland is among the top countries in the world. This automatically means, that you go to the WC with only one goal: to become world champions!

During the WC, you need specific qualities. Saying that you don’t have certain players means to me, that you didn’t look well enough. When asked why I wasn’t selected, he told the press I had a mediocre season. And than he decided to make that joke about me (Davids didn’t repeat the quote, but it is in the introduction to this post – Jan). I think my first season half was good. And indeed, my second half was under par. But, in case of experienced players with certain qualities, form is not the main thing to look for. What is form? You know what those type of players can do, and with that I specifically do not mean the technical skills. Experienced coaches understand that those players can add something to the team, when the going gets tough, that builds conviction and confidence. You can see the examples now, at the world cup. Zidane, Ronaldo, Del Piero, Figo, Maniche… It’s a major disappointment to me, that I need to explain this to the national coach of Oranje! And, name me one player in this Oranje selection who did have a full great season? I played some phases mediocre, under par. But so did most! Some players, midfielders, even played a lousy season at their club in Holland, or didn’t even play at all! And the Dutch competition, with all due respect, is not comparable with the English, German or Spanish ligas.

And now the excuse is that we lack quality. Nonsense. Look at Brazil. They drown in quality, but still they’re kicked out. And Germany almost went all the way, although they certainly lack individual quality. But Klinsmann was succesful and instrumental in moulding all those lesser gifted players into one hell of a team! The German coach doesn’t sit still in his dug out, waiting for his charisma to push the team forward. Klinsmann is actively coaching, playing the involved clown, working the officials and almost playing along with the team. Watch Scolari. Mourinho. Wenger. Van Gaal. Hiddink. Capello.

Interestingly, through the way van Basten spins the story it is almost unbelievable that a team lacking of quality – Holland- can win. But if they do, it must be because the coach is such a brilliant coach! And if Holland loses, the coach can point his finger at the lack of quality. In this way, the coach can never be blamed. Clever.
However, in modern day football, the differences between teams is very very small at a WC. Ivory Coast? Ghana? Ukraine? Australia? Winnig or losing is in the details. In the wee small details. And most of the times, matches are won by the quality on the bench. And then I am not referring to the substitute players…

A young and inexperienced coach will make mistakes. And that’s ok. It becomes very annoying if most people predicted those mistakes and the coach waves the criticism away with his attitude and arrogance. As a coach, show your dignity and admit you made mistakes. And certainly do not pull punches under the belt via the media to cover up your mistakes.
And to end this letter: it is said that I gave an interview to gossip mag News of the World. I supposedly would have said to be ashamed of the aggressive way Holland played Portugal. This is not true. I hardly grant interviews and certainly not to those type of media. In my opinion, Oranje did not play too rude against Portugal. But that’s a whole different matter, which I will lay to rest for now.”

Edgar Davids, www.vi.nl

Tags: Edgar Davids, marco van basten, Netherlands

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 26 comments.

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By Mars | July 5th, 2006 at 2:04 pm

I think Davids was good at his time but he should call it time for international to let the way for younger players.
Maybe Oranje were not that good, not even germany, they were not good, they were lucky against the Argentines, and if they had not scored early against Sweden they would have been still trying …
But luck failed them in semi’s while ornaje had some chances against portugal who won with thier experience …
Let this WC be the experience for yongesters …

Posted from Lebanon

By Fares | July 5th, 2006 at 3:14 pm

Easily said after 10 days of the WC exit. 30 days ago every German was unhappy with Klinsman, now he is a hero and they begg him to stay.

It came from Davids, I am sorry but this guy went from BIG clubs in the world to Spurs. And you can’t put Jol with the same vast of coaches like Wenger or Morinho or Rijikard.

Then Van Gal never made it to the WC so why even bother by naming him among the great coaches //oh he won the Champions League. So What, MVB won the only international tounry the Dutch ever won.

I think Davids does not desereve to be there. Maybe Makaay, maybe De Jong, maybe Seedorf. Davids was a great player, its like selecting Bergkamp over Ruud or Kuyt.

As a coach myself, I think each coach has his methodes of coaching, ways of putting a team togather.

Davids said it, and slitely things makes difference “when he pointed at Ghana and Ivory Cost, then the Aussies”. Holland lost by 1 goal, if holland won by one goal and where lucky enough to beat (The injured Drunk English) team by PK’s then MBV would have been a hero.

Forget it Davids, you play for spurs cause there is no other team wanted you. Arsenal rejected you even you were free agent.

Posted from United States

By Bessam | July 5th, 2006 at 3:47 pm

I love Edgar Davids. What he is saying is true. Even Bergamp right now can score and finish on the chances Kuyt got.

Van Basten is wrong, you turn the page on players after the world cup but not before. How can Clarence Seedorf, a starter in AC Milan not be selected. How can Van Nistelrooy a clinical finisher not be fielded when your team desperately needs a goal?

Posted from United States

By Cajun Nick | July 5th, 2006 at 4:35 pm

WOW!

David’s letter is a work of brilliance. Whether or not one buys his arguments and agrees with him, he definitely puts van Basten on the defensive.

There is a lot of truth to what he said. In particular, the following quote stands out: A WC may never be used as a luxury trainingscamp for a less important event two years down the road.

I don’t know whether or not van Basten can answer him – or, indeed, if he will try.

Posted from United States

By jip jaap stam | July 5th, 2006 at 5:27 pm

it is very easy to critise MVB after the wc but the fact remains he did an outstanding job… especially if portugal end up winning…(god forbid)… i agree that kuyt isn’t the answer but van the man didn’t step up and at the wc cup and you need players that are in form right know to play… however van should have at least been made a sub… with regards to davids there is no way he should have been playing because a big focus of this team was team spirit. we all know davids is arrogant, just look at euro 96 when he took off on us…and at euro 2004 he was either on or off… you cant have inconsistency at major competitions cause there is no room for error… and with regards to seedorf, he played played at euro 2004 and wc qualifying 2002 and were shit… just because he plays with milian does entitle him to a walk on position with the team… its all about chemisty… davids and sedorf do not make good chemistry with alot of the other dutch players… plain and simple…

Posted from Canada

By richard | July 5th, 2006 at 5:50 pm

After the group round, van basten’s strategy of going with a young lineup seemed sound. But the portugal loss–and subsequent performances by the “old men” of france and portugal–have caused many to reconsider. It’s clear that the youth in Holland’s midfield were not good enuf, and perhaps Davids and others may have helped. We’ll have to see how things evolve: If Sneijder and van der vaart and others gain from the experience and get better, we fans can be encouraged. As for the demeanor of coaches, who doesn’t like coaches who are up on their feet–showing keen interest in the match and encouraging the players. I don’t especially like coaches, like van Basten and Erickson of England, who sit stoically on the bench.

Posted from United States

By Mara1ona | July 5th, 2006 at 6:33 pm

Im afraid Richard there was nothing sound going with a young line up. The only one to think this was Van Basten and the odd disillusioned Dutch fan.

My team is not in the world cup so there is no biased information in any of my posts, im just a football mad fan who hates seeing major mistakes by so called “professionals”. Van Basten playing with Kuyt from the start all because he had a fall out with Van Nistelrooy was the biggest mistake of the world cup.

I warned all the Dutch fans on this blog that they would get beaten if Kuyt started for the simple reason, the Portuguese were not afraid of him. This would not have been the case with Ruud, ok he wasnt playing his best football but he is still a prolific goalscorer who CAN score out of nothing.

And i was proved right just like i said. If I were Dutch i would be raging mad. Its quite clear Van Bastens ego is bigger than his love for his country.

He let you all down. Pure and simple.

By ferenc | July 5th, 2006 at 6:59 pm

Edgar said the same what I think about Marco. He was my favourite player of the last 10-12 years,and he still is.

Posted from Hungary

By Samuel Knight | July 5th, 2006 at 7:30 pm

Anyone remember christian Ronaldo’s header goal in Euro 2004? Look at that replay again – Davids was just standing there, not concentrating on an important corner, nor following the play – and the ball bounced right past him. It was pathetic.

That’s why he shouldn’t have been on the team two years later. He just hasn’t been a great player for a while now.

BUT – I have to concur that it was crazy not to stick Van Nistelroy in as soon as the Dutch had the extra man. Oddly the same type of mistake that Rijkaard had made in the 2000 Euro. They needed a “presence” in the box.

And all that next year stuff is crazy – you go to the big tournaments every two years to win. The Dutch had the talent to do it this time – and they just didn’t do it.

But – Van Baasten overall did a pretty solid job – Oranje qualified well, controlled the ball, and fought pretty hard. But what it didn’t seem to be able to reach was that extra level of effort – that beguiling power. And the other but, is that the wingers in fact never really played the ball in the box too much. Sorta of defeats the purpose of wingers if they never cross it in.

And the excuses of

Posted from United States

By Jan | July 5th, 2006 at 8:52 pm

Isn’t this a great letter ? And to be honest, I tend to agree with Edgar and I do think he isn’t even implying that he wshould have played! He is merely explaining how it came about that he was bypassed, the (il)logic v Basten used and the way van Basten is trying to cover his mistakes now… I am a big van Basten fan (and vd Vaart, Kuyt, etc fan) but still… This all rings so true. Anyway!

Posted from Australia

By micha | July 5th, 2006 at 11:28 pm

I just want to say to all Oranje fans that this is the best day of the wc for me, so far. The dirty Portuguese team has finally fallen on their shameful face! And they did it in the cheating style they have become world famous for. The display of diving unrivaled even in the Olympics was on display against France today, the sissy-girl C. Ronoldo has become the most hated player in the world and press reports have reported, he has already been put on the chopping bloc by Man U. I don’t think anyone but one of those Portoguese bush league teams will have any interest at his over inflated price tag. He sucks! Portugal Sucks! I am so happy they made it this far so we can watch them lose twice! Only one team deserves to lose twice in one world cup and that team is Portugal! What a display of shame! What a pathetic excuse for a football team! I tried to congratulate the Portuguese on their web site but the Portguese/American sensorship board run by that idiot LUIS instantly erased all my comments, what a surprise? Check out his ridiculas nationalist poem he posted the day before the game its as hilarious as it is pathetic! Portugal Sucks! Hup Holland.

By Daniel | July 5th, 2006 at 11:58 pm

Ow, man. The sight of Ronaldo’s puffy little eyes at the end of today’s game made my day.

Cry yer little eyes out you sissy little Fu*$.

Viva la France!

Posted from United States

By micha | July 6th, 2006 at 12:13 am

Hey mar1ona, it’s me the dutch smart ass, glad to see you back, you were right the game did not work out for us and Kuyt screwed up a couple of chances he could have had; would things have been different if v. Nistelroy or Davids were playing, maybe? But they would have been different if Cocu had netted that ball instead of rattling the bar, or if Portugal were down to 9 men befor half, or if Robben was awarded even one of the two penalty kick he should have earned for dirty Portuguese tackles inside the box (ie, the flying karate kick from carvalho), or if Figo was sent off for his head butt, before his performance earned the red card against us, for his shameful dive! if the referee had done his job, things could have worked out different for van Basten. However, i am apalled by van Basten/Cruyff comments about this tournament being training for Euro 08. Personally, I love Davids, but he is half the player he was at his peak, and over the years he has been surounded by controversy over his role in the internal dissention of the Oranje ranks, Van Bastens choices are also controvertial but it would be easyier to follow him on the path he has chosen if he would take responsibility for losing this world cup. If he fails to deliver in the next tournament I think all his public support will disappear and we will be in the market for a new manager. In the mean time I hope his comments and actions don’t become even more dubious than they already are. I’m not ready to give up on him, but I am very inclined to go along with you in your distrust of his decisions. Hup Holland

By jip jaap stam | July 6th, 2006 at 4:00 am

MICHA WELL SAID MATE!!!!!!!!! i agree with you 100%

Posted from Canada

By jip jaap stam | July 6th, 2006 at 4:24 am

MVB is right in saying this team is young but holland’s goal every 2 years should be that of a winning mentality… i hate this sissy attitude of waiting till 2008 to see what happens because in this day and age there is such a fine line between winning and losing games that often a ref ends up deciding the match… look at todays game with france and the pork choppers…a penalty kick…so far MVB has done an outstanding job for the team however good performances need to be followed up by trophies… if holland fails to deliver at 08 i will be ticked… i am tired of semifinal defeats (92, 98, 00, 04) and i want to see a dutch team deliver… if denmark could do it in 92 and those greeks in 04 we should be winning a hell of a lot more often…hell we beat those greeks 4-0 nil a month before the euros and they end up winning… what bull shit…

Posted from Canada

By Mah | July 6th, 2006 at 10:21 am

I agree to Bessam. What is important is that Holand lost the WC and these letters can do nothing to change the results. I think all the team have to work hard ro catch the Euro 2008 to show the differences of young players. Marco! I hope you will be successful enough to chenge the critical views arround yourself.

Posted from Islamic Republic Of Iran

By Samuel Knight | July 6th, 2006 at 3:42 pm

I left one trailing thought. Sorry.

The Netherlands needs that win -now mentality. What was profoundly disappointing the last few big tournaments (2000, 2004 and 2006) is that the Dutch just don’t seem to sub aggresively.

In each case they seemed to just coast at the end – rather than going for the jugular. Rijkaard didn’t bring him Van Hooidonck for the big kick in 2000, Advocaat pulled out his big weapon (Robben) in 2004. And again in 2006 Van Baasten didn’t appear to get his offense moving.

That’s one huge change in soccer in the last 20 years – subs are vital in sparking your team. Look at Germany – every game Klinsman had his subs lined up to get some more verve. Same with France.

And the Dutch had obvious picks to do the switches with: Van De Vaart and Snijder – neither seemed ready to go a full 90, but sure as heck could give a great 45. Or Cocu. Or Van Bommel.

It’s a vital part of the modern game – and what looked to me what lacked for Holland. Redeploying to take advantage of the changing tactical situation.

Against Portugal, the clear tactical choice was to pull out people with yellows and throw more into the attack.

And although I would not have played Davids, he’s right in the sense that Van N would have been an excellent choice in fighting for the last goal.

But I still agree that Van Baasten overall goal of pciking players who really want to play hard for Oranje is the best criteria to put them on the team.

Posted from United States

By mara1ona | July 6th, 2006 at 3:42 pm

I personally am not a Davids fan, i just agreed with what he said.

Anyway get on Germany and Italy to both win in 90mins. They are different class to the opposition and only match fixing can change these results.

Im going to fill my boots and hope the later does not materialize.

By sphinx | July 6th, 2006 at 6:00 pm

Davids responds Basten on his personal ground. But still few important points for the future of Orange I thought.
Here are some qoutes I agree with.
“Van Basten choices seem to be driven by romanticism and idealism. But where was the realism?”
“name me one player in this Oranje selection who did have a full great season?”
“the differences between teams is very very small at a WC.”
First two are in concern of selection. Basten may have given reasons that’s not really from his iner mind to answer why not Davids or VNS etc..
Any way I feel it is not right to criticize a coach not for selecting players any other guy wants. It is Basten’s team and it’s up to him.
Point is the coach can’t blame players once it loose, it’s him.
Italy or French will win the cup very soon. I dare say Different is not much between the winning team and Netherlands or other big teams.
Difference really come from details.
Being a serious Dutch fan for almost 2 decades the most worrysome thing to me is Basten and Cruyff seem to be too stick to the winning formular, with whitch they success once upon a time, to “DOMINATE THE GAME”.
Ajax no longer rules Europe. Sneijder, Vaart and Cocu can’t overwelm the mid-field.
As Davids say It’s time to find uot where is the reality.

Posted from Myanmar

By goose | July 6th, 2006 at 6:52 pm

a lot can be said about this but vanBsten should not have joked about Davids at the final press conference, it was out of order, still think the underlying problem with vanBsten is PEOPLE MANAGEMENT, even in his playing days Marco was a loner, never a big part of the team outside the pitch, never a real leader BUT he was always the best so there never was a problem… now as the bondscoach he should be people manager and he just isnt..
1. Problems with vanBommel
2. Problems with vanNistelrooy
3. Problems with Davids
he should have a very good look at Hiddink!!
remember: a good horse doenst make a great rider at all times!!

to be fair, here in Holland we were never satisfied with the way we played under vanBasten BUT the results were great so we all just shutted up…now the result isnt good so here comes the shit…..

greetz

WIJ HOUDEN VAN ORANJE

Posted from Netherlands

By Kervin | July 6th, 2006 at 8:58 pm

for once i agree with mara1ona, nistelrooy should have been on the field, kurt has barely played a champions league game and this was the knock out stages of the world cup man! experience counts!

netherlands had the potential to go far, but MvB made some lethal errors… and midfield should perhaps have been arranged differently, but surely not with davids.

By micha | July 6th, 2006 at 11:02 pm

You know from another way of looking at it; this statement from Davids is a good example of why the old guard of the Oranje line-up had to to be scraped. Can you imagine having a guy like Davids in the locker room, or several guy like him, all second guessing the managments decisions and constantly voicing their arguments on and off the field to anyone who will listen and write about them?
In contrast, nobody on this Oranje team, including Van Nistelroy, has said anything derogitory or inflamitory about the managment, and their decisions, or critisized other players for their actions.
This kind of talk was omni-present in the Oranje ranks of Davids generation. And now it is he who is throwing fuel on the fire while V. Nistelroy, who has a legitimate cause for throwing venom at Van. Basten has remained calm and classy.
I salute this aspect of Van Bastens team and feel it may be a true departure from the path that was the norm for almost 2 decades of Oranje football contraversy and in-fighting.

By ferenc | July 7th, 2006 at 12:37 am

maybe this kind of talk was omni-prsent,but they got results (wc semi final in 98,ec semi final in 2000 and even in 2004, last time with less beautiful football)and they played beautiful and dominant football.

Posted from Hungary

By jumhed | July 7th, 2006 at 2:31 am

I gotta agree with Davids on this one. MvB made some mistakes. Hopefully, he’ll learn from them.

And Micha, Davids only commented on MvB after MvB made unnecessary disparaging remarks about him trying to cover his mistakes.

I’m also sure RvN will have plenty to say about MvB once either of them has quit the National team. RvN isn’t stupid enough to complain while MvB is still boss is he?

By souramaliki | September 5th, 2007 at 5:25 am

Some of those have forgotten how great player Davids was!Go ckeck wc98 euro 2000 and 2004 and all his years in the giants juve and ajax!If these guys are irrelevant to football I don t mind!Go play basketball!Some of his words are true and only time will show us if netherlands can make the brilliant team that have in the past years althought were unlucky…

Posted from Germany