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I´m ready for the Oranje again, says van Bommel


Written by: AFP Bookmark and Share
2008-07-04 16:14:39

Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel, seen here in 2007, re-affirmed his desire Friday to play for the Netherlands again following the departure of coach Marco van Basten.
  Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel, seen here in 2007, re-affirmed his desire Friday to play for the Netherlands again following the departure of coach Marco van Basten.
MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel re-affirmed his desire Friday to play for the Netherlands again following the departure of coach Marco van Basten.

Van Basten stepped down as Netherlands coach after his side's Euro 2008 quarter-final exit at the hands of Russia and has been replaced by van Bommel's father-in-law Bert van Marwijk as national coach.

Now van Bommel says he is keen to add to the 40 caps he has won for his country with the Oranje.

"I always said that I would want to come back, if Marco left. Now he has gone, and coincidentally my father-in-law is the new coach, if he needs me, I am there," said the Bayern midfielder.

The 31-year-old will not be travelling to Beijing as part of the Netherlands Olympic team and will stay in Germany to launch the defence of Bayern's Bundesliga title.

After former Germany captain and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn retired at the end of last season, van Bommel says he will step into the captain's role only if asked.

"That is not my goal," said the Dutchman.

"If the coach says that I am to make it and the crew accepts, I will do it gladly."




Discuss

ajax72 July 5th, 2008 00:37

For doing what? Laundering players' kits?

Tontodonati July 5th, 2008 13:36

Ajax72, I sincerely hope your first name is not pronounced "Brainy." In that case, it would be a gross misnomer!

ajax72 July 5th, 2008 23:20

Don't tell me you were applying for this job too. Don't worry I was only kidding. His father-in-law is the new coach of the dutch so he'll manage to squeeze him into the squad somehow and you still can get the job.