"I am completely done with football" — football legend shocks with statement
Marco van Basten appears to have firmly closed the door on returning to work in football.
Details: The legendary Netherlands striker made the striking admission during an appearance on the Coen & Sander Show on Dutch radio station JOE. Van Basten was discussing the current situation around the Netherlands national team and the appointment of Xavi Hernández as head coach when he was asked whether he could see himself returning to work within Dutch football.
His answer left little room for interpretation.
"I am completely done with football. I am going to do other things," Van Basten said.
The former striker added that he intends to continue following the game from a distance, without becoming deeply involved in it again.
Van Basten also admitted that the situation at Ajax remains painful for him. He said he enjoys seeing Feyenoord and PSV perform well and takes pleasure in Dutch sporting success in general, but watching Ajax struggle is much harder for him.
The comments came shortly after the KNVB appointed Xavi as the new Netherlands head coach. Van Basten acknowledged the Spaniard's qualities but said he personally would have preferred to see a Dutch coach in charge of Oranje.
It is worth noting that Van Basten is one of the most decorated Dutch footballers in history. He won the Ballon d'Or three times and helped the Netherlands lift the European Championship in 1988. He later coached the national team from 2004 to 2008.
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