Earlier today, Dick Advocaat has hinted that he might step down as the Dutch national team manager after the current ongoing tournament. He cited that fans’ criticism on the substitution of Robben with Bosvelt during the arguably the most exciting match of the Euro 2004.

I have said “fuck Advocaat” in my earlier post. In fact, the word “fuck Advocaat” was written live as the match went on badly after a marvelous start. And I myself have received a few criticisms from my visitors; even more strangers when Google ranked me number one for the search phrase "fuck Advocaat".

Well, I admit. I had been too harsh. Therefore, I will bow to some of my visitors’ demand for an apology and this post is dedicated to just that.

I apologize for saying the F-word.

Nevertheless, I still believe the replacement of Robben was a huge mistake. Even Kluivert had said last week that Advocaat deserves the fans’ abuse. In my opinion and many others de Oranje supporters, a removal of Arjen Robben is similar to removing Zidane from the French squad.

This is because de Oranje essentially depends on wingers. With wrong-minded wingers (read defensive wingers, like Bosvelt), the whole team will implode, just like what had happened during the Czech game. I could certainly see how the match changed. Many others, including some of my Dutch friends, hold the same opinion with me.

Yet, I admit, without Advocaat, de Oranje would probably be a terrible team with world class talented players, just like Spain. For almost 8 long years, de Oranje had been struggling to perform as a team and failed. The greatest embarrassment is de Oranje failure to qualify for the last World Cup. But Advocaat at least, somehow, managed to rebuild the team and right now, at least the Dutch is performing if you put a blind eye on the Netherlands – Germany match and a few other games during the qualification stage.

But, Advocaat should not feel threatened by fans’ criticism no matter how personal it is. Criticism is part of the game. When you in a stadium, or anyway, of course you will hear some bad words but that what makes the game as a game. Criticism, no matter how harsh it is, is just part of the game. There is no need to quit the manager post just because the fans’ insulted you.

Heck! The Barca’s fans booed their own club a few years back but that does not mean they hated Barcelona. It was just criticism; a demand for a better performance, just like what happened in Aveiro. In fact, this criticism probably helped Advocaat to manage de Oranje. Notice how Robben was not removed during the Sweden match.

Again, I apologize for the F-word directed at Advocaat. However, I will only do the Advocaat banner thing if de Oranje wins the tournament. And nope, I will not delete it. I am somewhat against censorship.

Alright. Let’s stop disputing. Support de Oranje!

Let’s harass the Portuguese in return.

And Advocaat, you should stay, at least until World Cup 2006. Do not do a Voeller; do an Eriksson.

p/s - I hope Ibrahimovic is okay.
pp/s - read this. Thank God I have no relationship with Portugal.