Van der Wiel rues van Marwijk departure

Netherlands’ right-back Gregory van der Wiel has lamented coach Bert van Marwijk’s resignation after the team’s winless Euro 2012 campaign.

The Ajax defender was part of the Netherlands’ horror tournament that yielded three losses against Group B opponents Denmark, Germany and Portugal and an early exit from the event in Poland and Ukraine.

The former Feyenoord manager came into the tournament with a record of just five losses in 49 matches since taking charge in 2008, and van der Wiel paid tribute to the man that handed him his international debut against Tunisia in 2009.

“It’s a shame to hear that van Marwijk has resigned as national team coach. I’ve had some beautiful and good years under him,” van der Wiel wrote on his Twitter account.

“I’m grateful that I got the chance to make my international debut under him.”

AZ Alkmaar midfielder Adam Maher, who was in the provisional squad for Euro 2012, echoed van der Wiel’s sentiments on van Marwijk’s exit.

“A real shame, van Marwijk quits as Netherlands coach. He was the one who gave me a chance (with the national team) and I enjoyed some great moments,” Maher said.